10

Why did the NIV translators exclude Matthew 18:11?



      

Matthew 18:10

NKJV - 10 Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.

Clarify Share Report Asked January 24 2014 Mini Anonymous

Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.

4
Q jcryle001 JD Abshire Supporter
That is a great question, only The Lord and editors know for sure. I understand from WIKIPEDIA that Bruce Metzger, a contributing editor felt the verse in question was borrowed from Luke 19:10 and didn't belong in Matthew 18:11?

There are many deletions and omissions in the NIV and in my opinion there are several instances where the NIV clouds or redefines the true meaning of scripture. 

Here's a link to the WIKI article showing the NIV omissions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Bible_verses_not_included_in_modern_translations#Matthew_18:11

For a list of discrepancies, check this out.
http://www.biblebelievers.com/williams_d1.html

January 24 2014 1 response Vote Up Share Report


0
Mini Chris H Supporter
Matthew 18:11 is absent from The Greek New Testaments (USB5 and NA28) produced consulting and analysing all the available manuscripts...

"There can be little doubt that the words [of v.11] are spurious here, being absent from the earliest witnesses representing several textual types (Alexandrian, Egyptian, Antiochan), and manifestly borrowed by copyists from Lk 19.10. The reason for the interpolation was apparently to provide a connection between ver. 10 and verses 12-14." A Textual Commentary On The Greek New Testament; Bruce Metzger; p.36

Remember that verse numbering was added to the manuscripts late (see Wikipedia articles on this). These late manuscripts were the basis for the KJV. However since then, earlier manuscripts such as the Codex Siniaticus have been discovered that have greatly improved our confidence in what the original texts contained. This means that most modern English translations such as the ESV and the NIV do not contain the added verse that is Matthew 18:11, and there are other corrections that make the NIV and the ESV significantly more accurate than the KJV.

That being said, even the KJV with its reliance on late manuscripts has a high degree of accuracy and most errors do not even register in terms of affecting words. However this is one of the few instances where a whole verse has been seen to be a late addition and removed from more modern translations and from editions of the Greek text.

September 12 2017 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


Add your Answer

All answers are REVIEWED and MODERATED.
Please ensure your answer MEETS all our guidelines.

What makes a good answer? ▼

A good answer provides new insight and perspective. Here are guidelines to help facilitate a meaningful learning experience for everyone.

  1. Adhere to the eBible Statement of Faith.
  2. Your answer should be complete and stand-alone.
  3. Include supporting arguments, and scripture references if possible. Seek to answer the "why".
  4. Adhere to a proper tone and spirit of love and understanding.
  5. For more info see The Complete Guide to eBible
Header
  1. 4000 characters remaining