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The three most popular Greek texts

What Greek text stands behind a Bible translation?

When translating the Bible, scholars examine one or more Greek texts of the New Testament. Each text varies slightly. It is important that scholars show the texts they are using and how they deal with the differences. Here are the three most popular texts used.

This page explains a source-text difference. It does not rank editions, and it does not make a theological claim beyond what this guide supports.

Now showing Guided. What a Greek New Testament edition is, then the three listed Greek-text columns.

This is an educational comparison guide — not a Bible reader, and not a quiz that picks a best Bible. You can change this anytime.

What is a Greek New Testament edition?

It is a published Greek text that scholars have prepared from surviving manuscripts. Editions differ because the underlying copies differ, and because editors weigh those differences differently.

Received TextWestcott-HortNestle-Aland / UBS

1516 onward

Received Text (Textus Receptus)

Based on

1516: Several Greek New Testaments published by various scholars (Erasmus, Stephanus, Beza, Elzevirs)

Manuscript foundation

A few manuscripts (12th–14th centuries). Some of the book of Revelation was translated back into Greek from the because there were no of Revelation available to the translators at that time.

Supporters say

Based on , the only manuscripts available prior to 1516. Appears to agree with early copies of the New Testament dating before AD 200. A large number of Byzantine text-type manuscripts exists, however, only a few are before AD 600.

Considerations

Erasmus did not have the discovered after 1516 and consulted no more than six Greek manuscripts. Erasmus had to use portions of the , making it a translation of a translation. went through substantive editing to create a harmonious and smooth text.

Associated translations

Linked from each translation’s listed textual-basis line — not a ranking.

Different textual bases can sometimes contribute to differences, but translation approach, language, purpose, and other factors may also matter. Do not treat a wording difference in a passage as proof of the underlying Greek text.

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