When evaluating manuscript evidence, the following criteria support the reliability of the text:
How well does the New Testament meet these criteria?
The New Testament lacks the early manuscript evidence we would reasonably expect for a reliable historical document inspired by the God of the universe.
No.
The data indicate that the New Testament does not have many early manuscripts.
Data retrieved on August 31, 2024 from New Testament Virtual Manuscript Room
Note the following:
No.
The data indicate that the gospels are not independent accounts. The high levels of verbatim agreement and large-scale chronological consistency suggest transmission via textual copying from a common source.
| Matthew 3:7-10 | Luke 3:7-9 |
|---|---|
| "Offspring of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Bear fruit therefore worthy of repentance and do not presume to say in yourselves, "We have Abraham as father"; for I say to you that God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Already the axe is laid at the root of the trees; for every tree not producing good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire". | "Offspring of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Bear fruit therefore worthy of repentance and do not begin to say in yourselves, "We have Abraham as father"; for I say to you that God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Already the axe is laid at the root of the trees; for every tree not producing good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire". |
| Matthew 3:7-10 | Luke 3:7-9 |
|---|---|
| "Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." | "Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye. For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit." |
| Matthew 12:3-4 | Luke 6:3-4 |
|---|---|
| He said to them, 'Have you not read what David did, when he was hungry, and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? | And Jesus answered, 'Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God, and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those with him?' |
| Story/Event | Matthew | Mark | Luke |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genealogy of Jesus | Matt. 1:1-17 | — | Luke 3:23-38 |
| Birth of Jesus | Matt. 1:18-25 | — | Luke 2:1-7 |
| Baptism of Jesus | Matt. 3:13-17 | Mark 1:9-11 | Luke 3:21-22 |
| Temptation of Jesus | Matt. 4:1-11 | Mark 1:12-13 | Luke 4:1-13 |
| Sermon on the Mount/Plain | Matt. 5:1-7:29 | — | Luke 6:17-49 |
| Jesus Calms the Storm | Matt. 8:23-27 | Mark 4:35-41 | Luke 8:22-25 |
| Feeding the 5,000 | Matt. 14:13-21 | Mark 6:30-44 | Luke 9:10-17 |
| Walking on Water | Matt. 14:22-33 | Mark 6:45-52 | — |
| Transfiguration of Jesus | Matt. 17:1-9 | Mark 9:2-10 | Luke 9:28-36 |
| Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem | Matt. 21:1-11 | Mark 11:1-11 | Luke 19:28-40 |
| Last Supper | Matt. 26:26-30 | Mark 14:22-26 | Luke 22:14-23 |
| Jesus Prays in Gethsemane | Matt. 26:36-46 | Mark 14:32-42 | Luke 22:39-46 |
| Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus | Matt. 26:47-56 | Mark 14:43-50 | Luke 22:47-53 |
| Peter's Denial of Jesus | Matt. 26:69-75 | Mark 14:66-72 | Luke 22:54-62 |
| Crucifixion of Jesus | Matt. 27:32-56 | Mark 15:21-41 | Luke 23:26-49 |
| Resurrection of Jesus | Matt. 28:1-10 | Mark 16:1-8 | Luke 24:1-12 |
| Great Commission | Matt. 28:16-20 | — | — |
No.
The data indicate that the gospels contain later interpolations. Some examples include:
"Now when Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it." (Mark 16:9-11, ESV)
This passage is not found in the earliest and most reliable manuscripts, suggesting it was added later.
"But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, 'Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery.'" (John 7:53-8:3, ESV)
This passage is not found in the earliest and most reliable manuscripts, suggesting it was added later.
"And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground." (Luke 22:43-44, ESV)
This passage is not found in the earliest and most reliable manuscripts, suggesting it was added later.
Yes.
The gospels contain numerous differences in their accounts of Jesus' birth, ministry, and death. These differences range from minor details to significant narrative elements.
For more detailed information, see The Birth of Jesus and Textual Inconsistencies.
No.
There is not archaeological evidence to support the narratives found in the Gospel accounts.
There is evidence to support the historical setting of the Gospels, but not the narratives found in them. Some key points to consider:
Q: Aren't there more N.T. manuscripts than other ancient texts?
A: Yes. (Source) This has no effect on whether the recorded events are true.
Q: Doesn't Josephus attest to Jesus' miracles, divinity, and resurrection?
A: No. (Source) Josephus attests to the disciples' beliefs and claims about Jesus and the fact that he died under Pontius Pilate. Other details are likely a later Christian interpolation.
Q: Don't the gospels claim to be eyewitness accounts?
A: No. (Source)