While the verse was not originally in the fourth-century Codex Sinaiticus, nor was it added by the early first corrector, a later scribe did add the verse into that manuscript as well, perhaps as early as the fifth or sixth century and probably no later than the seventh. The verse is found in some important early Greek codices: Codex W (late fourth/early fifth century), Codex C and D (both fifth century), Codex E and L (both eighth century), Codex G (ninth century), and others. The verse is also present throughout the Latin tradition, thus it is found in the vast majority of Latin manuscripts as well, both early and late. Now, the majority of Greek manuscripts are from a rather late date and mostly from just one regional area, so this kind of information can be misleading, but it is certainly worth noting that most medieval Greek manuscripts have the verse. The verse is found in the majority of Greek manuscripts. Let’s begin by looking at the manuscript evidence and related physical data in favor of Matthew 17:21. While our main focus will be on the verse in Matthew, Mark’s version will necessarily play a role in the discussion. Thus, a similar verse to Matthew 17:21 is universally accepted to be an original part of Mark’s gospel, though the reference to fasting is in question even here. “And He said to them, ‘This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer,'” (Mark 9:29, NASB). This verse is present in all translations, though here too there is a textual variant. “And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting,” (Mark 9:29, KJV). The discussion is closely linked to the parallel verse in Mark: Most modern translations lack this sentence, as does the Greek text upon which they are based. “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting,” (Matthew 17:21, KJV). The verse under discussion here traditionally reads in older English translations: To decide between the two, we must consider the data. It may be that modern translators have not removed the verse, but rather that Scribes inserted the words and the KJV translators (possessing only the text of a few late manuscripts) kept the inserted words without realizing it. Simply pointing out that the KJV has the verse and that many later translations don’t is not proof that the verse is an original part of Matthew’s gospel. ![]() ![]() Rather, later scribes added these words, and they are not part of what Matthew actually wrote. Th ey contend, then, that they have not deleted anything. Modern translators, however, point out that this verse is not present in the earliest manuscripts we possess. The assumption in this accusation, of course, is that this verse must be original and therefore it was willfully removed. Modern translations are often accused of having “deleted” or “removed” Matthew 17:21 from the New Testament.
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