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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

1881–1945

Westcott-Hort

Based on

1881: Westcott-Hort was the standard Greek text until 1945

Manuscript foundation

manuscripts: Codex Vaticanus (4th century) which was housed in the Vatican library since at least 1478, but not available to most scholars until the late 19th century. Codex Sinaiticus (4th century) which was found in 1859. Codex Alexandrinus (5th century) which had been stored away in Alexandria until it was made available to western scholars in 1629.

Supporters say

Based on the earliest manuscripts available by 1881. manuscripts were a result of scribes using reliable texts and careful copying. The manuscripts are older than , but only a few have been discovered.

Considerations

The translators did not consider the manuscripts. They were not able to use manuscripts discovered after 1881 such as Oxyrhynchus, Chester Beatty and Bodmer Papyri. These papyri are dated earlier than previous manuscripts and some scholars consider them to be the most reliable manuscripts available today.

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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