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A Tale of Two Sons: But Which One Did the Far, Far Better Thing? A Study of Matt 21.28–32.

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 January 2001

PAUL FOSTER
Affiliation:
The Queen's College, Oxford, OX1 4AW, England

Abstract

The parable of the Two Sons occurs in three variant textual forms. Despite the tendency among commentators to follow the Nestle-Aland text, which is based on the Sinaiticus textual form, the strong support in the tradition for each type of variant reading requires the textual question be reassessed. It is argued that although the Sinaiticus reading represents the pre-Matthean form of the parable, it was Matthew, and not a later scribe, who changed the order of the sons in order to privilege the second son. This aligns with the evangelist's concern to depict the rejection and replacement of the Jewish leadership. Yet, although the Vaticanus reading reflects the authentic Matthean form of the parable, the earlier Sinaiticus form resurfaced and intruded itself back into the MSS tradition.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2001 Cambridge University Press

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