Frederick Scrivener and the Textus Receptus
Frederick Scrivener was a distinguished scholar of the 19th century whose work bridged the gap between classical education and biblical textual criticism. After graduating from Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1835, Scrivener spent years as a classics teacher in southern England and served as a headmaster in Falmouth, Cornwall, from 1846 to 1856. His dual role as an educator and the rector of Gerrans for 15 years provided the foundation for his meticulous approach to the study of ancient manuscripts.
Key Facts
- Textual Distinction: Scrivener was the first scholar to formally distinguish the Textus Receptus (the "received text") from the Byzantine text (the majority text).
- KJV Legacy: He led the final major revision of the Authorized English Version, resulting in the 1873 Cambridge Paragraph Bible.
- Scholarly Recognition: He was granted a Civil list pension in 1872 for his contributions to textual criticism.
- Textual Preference: He advocated for the Byzantine text-type over more modern manuscripts for Bible translations.
Contributions to Textual Criticism
Scrivener established his reputation through the editing of the Codex Bezae Cantabrigiensis, an important early manuscript of the New Testament. His scholarly rigor led him to collate the Codex Sinaiticus—one of the oldest complete New Testament manuscripts—against the Textus Receptus to identify variations.
A significant portion of his work involved the exhaustive comparison of different New Testament editions. He enumerated the differences between the Textus Receptus and the editions produced by Stephanus (1550), Theodore Beza (1565), and Elzevier (1633). Furthermore, he identified discrepancies between the Textus Receptus and the works of other prominent scholars such as Lachmann, Tregelles, and Tischendorf.
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Critical Analysis of Biblical Passages
Despite his advocacy for the Byzantine text, Scrivener maintained a critical eye toward specific readings. He expressed doubt regarding the authenticity of several well-known passages, including the Pericope Adulterae (the story of the woman caught in adultery), Christ's agony at Gethsemane, Matthew 16:2b–3, and John 5:3.4.
The Cambridge Paragraph Bible and the KJV
Following the success of his 1845 Supplement to English Version, Scrivener was appointed to lead the last major revision of the Authorized English Version, commonly known as the King James Version (KJV). While the KJV had seen various minor updates since 1611—most notably the Oxford Edition of 1769—Scrivener's work provided a new standard of precision.
His magnum opus, the Cambridge Paragraph Bible published in 1873, became the primary basis for most modern printings of the KJV in England. During this period, Scrivener served on the Revision Committee, where he often found himself in the minority, as he frequently disagreed with the textual theories proposed by Westcott and Hort.
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Summary of Textual Influences and Editions
| Category | Key Examples / Names |
|---|---|
| Text-Types | Byzantine, Andreas, Caesarean |
| Key Manuscripts | Codex Bezae, Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Claromontanus, Minuscules 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 38, 398, 817, 2814, 2816, 2817 |
| Major Editors | Erasmus, Robert Estienne, Theodore Beza, Abraham and Bonaventure Elzevir |
| Influential Translations | Tyndale, Geneva, King James Version, New King James Version |
| Controversial Readings | Johannine Comma, Pericope Adulterae, Mark 16:9-20 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Textus Receptus and the Byzantine text?
While often used interchangeably, Frederick Scrivener was the first to distinguish between them. The Byzantine text refers to the majority of surviving Greek manuscripts, whereas the Textus Receptus is a specific printed tradition based on a small number of manuscripts used by editors like Erasmus.
What was Scrivener's most significant contribution to the King James Bible?
His most significant contribution was the 1873 Cambridge Paragraph Bible, which served as the foundation for the majority of subsequent KJV printings in England.
Which biblical passages did Scrivener question?
Scrivener doubted the authenticity of the Pericope Adulterae, the account of Christ's agony at Gethsemane, and specific verses in Matthew (16:2b–3) and John (5:3.4).
How did Scrivener's views differ from Westcott and Hort?
Scrivener generally advocated for the Byzantine (majority) text as a more reliable source for translation, whereas Westcott and Hort promoted different textual theories that often marginalized the Byzantine tradition.
What was the role of the Elzevier edition in the Textus Receptus?
The term "Textus Receptus" (received text) is derived from the Latin words in the 1633 Elzevier edition, which stated that the text had "now by everyone been received."