Josep Rius-Camps - Jenny Read-Heimerdinger, «The Variant Readings of the Western Text of the Acts of the Apostles (XXII) (Acts 14:28–15:41)», Vol. 23 (2010) 175-200
In Chapter 15 of Acts, a point of critical importance for the growth of the Church and its relationship with Judaism is reached. Luke narrates the difficulty posed for Jewish Jesus-believers by the increasing number of Gentiles believers and the decision taken by the Church leaders in Jerusalem not to subject them to the usual conditions for proselytes. In the Bezan text, some conflict of opinion between Peter, Paul and Barnabas on the one hand, and James on the other is apparent, a tension that is attenuated in the Alexandrian text. Further conflict is also highlighted in Codex Bezae between Paul and Barnabas who separate following the meeting in Jerusalem.
The Variant Readings of the Western Text of the Acts of the Apostles 181
to every trial. 27 So we have sent same things by word of mouth.
Judas and Silas, who will themsel- 28 For the decision of the Holy
ves tell you by word of mouth what Spirit and of ourselves is that no
follows. other burden is to be put on you
[γ] 28 For the decision of the Holy than these things that are essential:
Spirit and of ourselves is that no 29 that you abstain from idol sa-
other burden is to be put on you crifices, blood, meat cooked in its
than these: it is essential 29 to abs- juices and illicit sexual relations; if
tain from idol sacrifices, blood and you keep out of trouble with these
illicit sexual relations; and whate- things, you will do well. Farewell!’
ver you do not wish to happen to
yourselves, not to do to another;
do well by keeping yourselves away
from these things, sustained by
the Holy Spirit. Farewell!’
Critical Apparatus
15:3 (καὶ) Σαμάρειαν B P45.74 (Σ-ρίαν )) rell || τὴν Σαμαρίαν D H 049
(Σ-ρειαν 1. 69. 104. 330. 383. 440. 876. 1828. 1838. 1854. 2147. 2492) pc;
Theoph.
In D05, the two regions of Phoenicia and Samaria are treated as distinct
by means of the repeated article, whereas B03 groups them together.
ἐκδιηγούμενοι B D P74 )2 rell || διηγούμενοι )* 104.
The prefix ἐκ-, absent from the )01 reading, confers the added sense
of telling ‘in detail’ (cf. 13:41).
15:4 (εἰς) Ἱεροσόλυμα B P45.74 A Ψ 81. 88. 614. 927. 1175. 1270. 1505.
1837. 2147. 2412. 2495 pc gig vg || Ἰερουσαλήμ D d ) C E H L P 049.
056. 1739 M vgD sa; CAp.
D05 is consistent in the distinction it makes between Ἱεροσόλυμα as
the name of the geographical location, and Ἰερουσαλήμ to designate the
Jewish institution centred in Jerusalem. The use here of Ἰερουσαλήμ is
in keeping with the earlier mention of the holy city at 15:2b D05. It is
specifically from the church that continues to be associated with the Jewish
religious institution that the people come insisting on circumcision, and
to that church that Paul and Barnabas go. See The Message of Acts, II,
pp. 118-119 on 8.1b, and p. 364 on 12.17b, for a fuller discussion of the
presence of distinct communities in Jerusalem.
παρεδέχθησαν B ) P45vid.74 A Ψ 33vid. 81. 326. 1175. 1837 pc | ἀπ- E H
L P 049. 056. 1739 M | προσ- 927. 1270 | ὑπ- 36. 453 pc | ἀπεδέχθησαν
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