The NIV gets it WRONG at Mark

In this livestream we'll be taking a quick look at the textual variant in Mark 1:41. In this passage Jesus was either filled with compassion or filled with anger at the request of the leper to heal him. A number of textual critics today believe that that the older reading here is better and that Jesus was 'angry'.

[@gazzapax56]

Hi, surely both are close, but slightly incorrect. We’re searching for an English word which has a particular meaning in Greek and which might not have a semantic equivalent. Both Compassion and Indignant approach it, but neither does it justice. My understanding of the word reflects a gut-wrenching, visceral response by Jesus that physically moves him. The mistake that is easy to make is to suggest that Jesus is angry at the man. Of course, that’s nonsense…. he’s angry at the disease, which disables, which isolates the man from community, which means he cannot attend synagogue to worship God as he is ritually unclean. The other argument is to suggest that Jesus could not experience anger. What emotion did he experience when he fashioned a whip and overturned the tables in the Temple? The danger is, perhaps, to start with a conclusion and press into the text our own presuppositions, and make our interpretation fit that desired outcome. But this makes for an interesting debate, and perhaps from it a better word might emerge that all can agree upon.

[@eclipsesonic]

You know, perhaps instead of using the phrase "some manuscripts have reading x", it'd be better if they said, "Other manuscripts have reading x."

[@mengbomin]

Ehrman's not the source of that principle, which is entirely overused among textual critics: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lectio_difficilior_potior

[@rodneyjackson6181]

The NLT, NKJV, CSB, NASB, WEB, KJV, ISV, and the 1599 Geneva Bible all say compassion. ESV says pity. Indignant seems way off.

[@marksutton5540]

Thank you so much.

[@KevinDay]

I do think the back-translation from Latin is probably the best explanation, and thus "compassion" or "pity" is the best choice. However, if "angry" is actually the original, it could be taken in a couple different ways: 1) He could be angry at the disease that was afflicting the man, rather than at the man himself for asking for healing. Or 2) He, knowing the man's heart already, knowing he was going to heal him, and knowing that the man would disregard his strong warning, and thus he would no longer be able to enter publicly into a town, was angry at the man for causing this hinderance to his ministry.

[@Sandppy]

Scripture belongs to Gods people, not scholars and definitely not atheists. The question is what has the church traditionally believed, why do we think we have some special knowledge now that they didn’t have? I believe that there is safety in majority of witnesses in common use by the church throughout the world and throughout history.

[@ST52655]

Amen ❤

[@billcovington5836]

The Syriac NT says, “compassion “ -

[@billcovington5836]

EGO - eastern Greek orthodox New Testament says, being moved with compassion.

[@ozrithclay6921]

Worth noting that the older NIV also reads "compassion". (Haven't listened to the whole video yet so my apologies if this comment is redundant)

[@ozrithclay6921]

And you did. But I'll add the NIrV also has "anger".

[@billcovington5836]

The Aramaic Peshitta, Messianic Version, says, And Yeshue had compassion on him and stretched out His hand, touched him and said, I want to. Be cleansed.

[@rosslewchuk9286]

"TEAM σπλαγχνισθεὶς" Thanks for your insightful live streams! I prefer the NKJV/KJV and Boyd's NT. But I consult CT based translations to keep up with events in "English Translation Land." I use the NET mostly for its notes on the Psalms. All of my NET Bibles are post 2017 and read "indignant," so Dr. Wallace won out. Personally, I am moving the LSB and BSB to the top of my "non-TR" list. Concerned about where the NASB and NIV are headed regarding the egalitarian issue. Blessings! 😎👍📖🙏

[@Dwayne_Green]

Thanks Ross, I appreciate your generosity! I usually stick with the NKJV/KJV as well, and consult a number of mainline translations. I typically don't use the NET translation, but I've found the notes to be useful, even though they have a clear Critical Text bias.

[@rosslewchuk9286]

@@Dwayne_Green Amen! God bless Canadian Pastors!

[@marksutton5540]

I'm back for another comment. I might be abrasive, but not because of you. NIV often translates in a manner that sticks in my craw. So please don't take anything I say personal (I regret that my home in Virginia is not walking distance from your office.) I wonder if you spent your time well. Rather than spending time on whether or not it makes hermeneutic sense, go straight to if it should be considered at all. For example: more than 99% of manuscripts is evidence enough to make it unworthy of even a foot note--I know you did, but more charitably than would I (you display Christian character in so doing). Next: can one definitively claim whether or not this took place in a synagogue? It could have been between venues. Matthew and Luke make no mention of it. But even so you addressed the issue well. To the topic of the Codex Bezae, it set my head spinning to think of someone back retranslating Latin back to Greek. Do we know for sure this was a practice, or is it an educated guess (conjecture)? Another question: is Bezae a highly respected text? I just find it impossible that one could discount the authority of all others. It looks to me to be a massive act of arrogance.

[@Dwayne_Green]

James Snapp has demonstrated many places where it's clear the Greek text was 'latinized' in Codex Bezea. Also concerning Codex Bezea, it's readings are wild, there are MANY reading which are unique to this manuscript specifically. The ONLY reason it's considered somewhat important is because it's 5th century, but many scholars wouldn't use this to determine a reading.

[@marksutton5540]

@@Dwayne_Green thank you so much. You are filling in a weakness in my education.

[@billcovington5836]

The Delitzsch Hebrew Gospels says, “Yeshua had compassion on him; He reached out His hand and touched him and said, I am willing. Be pure!”

[@mengbomin]

Worth noting that immediately prior to this variant is a variant where ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς has 99.5% support, but since the 0.5% includes א & B (Siniaticus and Vaticanus), Critical Text-based translations overwhelmingly go with the latter reading.

[@mengbomin]

Note, the 0.5% reading is καὶ.