Tischendorf's Notes

A knowledge of the symbols and abbreviations commonly employed in textual criticism is essential to every student of the NT.

Some of these have been explained in the preceding chapters, but for general convenience these have been repeated here, together with all the others which are in general use.

The multiplication of these symbols is an ever-growing evil; and as no two writers seem to employ quite the same method, it is impossible to escape occasional misunderstandings. But since the basis of all other systems at the present day is that of Tischendorf, 8th ed., Greek NT, the necessary foundation of study is an acquaintance with his notation. The best way will be to take an example and go through its details.

In M^t 6,44. αγαπατε τους εχθρους υμων.

Tischendorf's note is:

The first thing to notice in this mass of symbols is the ..... and the | at the end. These are the sign posts.

..... implies that the list of authorities for the variant quoted has been exhausted, and that the alternatives will now be given. The | signifies the close of the whole passage under discussion. Had there been a third variant, there would have been some more after "cf L^c" instead of the |.

It appears, therefore, that in this passage there are two

(a) αγαπατε τους εχθρους υμων,

(b) αγαπατε τους εχθρους υμων, ευλογειτε τους καταρωμενους υμας.

Of these (a) is Tischendorf s reading, and therefore he first gives it and the authorities for it, introducing the latter with a c. (= "cum.", Latin for )

(b) is the reading of ς (Gb⁰⁰). This is a highly complex abbreviation. The first part (ς, Greek "s") is itself a compound symbol. It represents the text of Stephanus, followed by Elzevir, Schulz, Griesbach. Now, although the agreement of these three latter [critical Greek] editions with Stephanus is fairly consistent, there are many places where one or the other differs.

In these cases Tischendorf's practice is to indicate the reading of the editor or editors who differ from Stephanus by inserting a 'bracket' after ς, and using the following symbols : ς^e - Elzevir, Sz - Schulz, Gb = Griesbach.

Subvariants in this notation are (e.g.):

So that ς (Gb⁰⁰) in this passage means: " - this is the reading of Stephanus, Elzevir, Schulz, Griesbach; but Griesbach strongly prefers the other reading."

There then follows the list of authorities in their proper places for each reading. These authorities are always quoted in the same order:

To continue, therefore, the explanation of the note in question: Tischendorf means that the shorter reading is supported by the Greek uncial MSS א B ; by the minuscule or cursive MSS # 1, 22, 209, and al⁴ i,e. four other MSS;
- by the Old Latin MSS: a b ff¹ g¹ g² k l, and (vg) = the Latin Vulgate.

The reading is also supported by the two secondary versions, sax. = the Anglo-Saxon, and fr.= the Frankish, both of which are derivatives of the Latin; by the cop. ( = Coptic version), now called the Bohairic; and by the Curetonian Syriac.

It is also supported by early writers, Theophylact, Origen, and an anonymous tract known as the 'Dialogus de recta fide' (Dial), by Eusebius in his Commentary on the Psalms (Eus^ps.), by the Latin translation of Irenaeus (Iren^int = Irenaei interpres), by three quotations of the passage in Cyprian, and by others (al.).

In the case of each Father quoted the reference to the standard edition (usually the Benedictine) is given in small figures, e.g, Orig ^4,324 = Origen, vol. 4 p. 324.

In the same way, the longer reading adopted by Stephanus, etc., is supported by the uncials D E K L M S U Δ Π, and most other Greek MSS (al pler.), by MSS c f h of the Old Latin, by the Gothic version (go), the Peshitto (Syr^sch i.e. Schaaff's Syriac v. p. 40), and the Harklean Syriac (Syr^P = Syra posterior), the Armenian, and the Aethiopic.

The secondary reading is also supported by Clement of Alexandria, Eusebius in his Praeparatio Evangelica, the 'Apostolic constitutions' (const.), and Chrysostom.

In the case of Clement & Eusebius, Tischendorf indicates in brackets (omnino e M^t vdtr) that there are reasons for believing that the quotation is from M^t (Matt.) not L^c (Luke), and the sign :: cf. L^c at the end means that he thinks that the reading is due to assimilation to the text of Luke.