The Bezan Text of Acts


Book Description

The Bezan ('Western') text of Acts is traditionally dismissed as the work of an enthusiastic and fanciful scribe who embellished the original text represented by the Alexandran manuscripts. This study compares the language of Codex Bezae with that of Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus, using the approach of discourse analysis to re-assess how variant readings have arisen. It emerges that the language patterns of the Alexandrian text are variable and the focus of its message historical. In contrast, the Bezan text displays an exceptional degree of lingusitic consistency and a coherence of purpose which is essentially theological, with a marked interest in a Jewish point of view. The conclusion is that Bezan is the earlier of the two texts.




The Message of Acts in Codex Bezae (vol 3).


Book Description

The third volume in the four-volume commentary on the Book of Acts, this work presents a fresh look at the text of Codex Bezae and compares its message with that of the more familiar Alexandrian text of which Codex Vaticanus is taken as a representative. It deals with Acts 13.1-18.23, the chapters that cover the first two stages of the mission to the Gentiles, with the intervening meeting in Jerusalem (14.28-15.41). For each section, there is a side by side translation of the Bezan and Vaticanus manuscripts, followed by a full critical apparatus which deals with more technical matters, and finally, a commentary which explores in detail the differences in the message of the two texts. Of particular interest in this part of Acts are the person of Paul and the unfolding of his character and theology. It is found that in the Bezan text Luke portrays him as a fallible disciple of Jesus who, despite his powerful enthusiasm, is hindered by his traditional Jewish understanding from fully carrying out the mission entrusted to him in these first stages. The conclusion is drawn that the portrait of an exemplary hero in the Alexandrian text is a later modification of the flawed picture.




Luke's Demonstration to Theophilus


Book Description

This volume is the first complete English translation of the Codex Bezae version of Luke and Acts.




The Acts of the Apostles


Book Description







The Message of Acts in Codex Bezae


Book Description

His book is a comparison of the message of Acts transmitted by Codex Bezae with that of the more familiar Alexandrian text, represented by Codex Vaticanus. For each section of Acts, there is a side by side translation of the Bezan and Alexandrian manuscripts, followed by a critical apparatus and, finally, a commentary that explores the differences in the message of the two texts. It is concluded that the Bezan text, with its interest in internal Jewish affairs and its focus on the struggles of the early disciples to free themselves from their traditional Jewish expectations and to achieve, despite their mistakes, a more accurate understanding of their master's teaching, is the earlier of the two texts.




The Message of Acts in Codex Bezae (vol 4).


Book Description

"This final volume in the four-volume commentary, The Message of Acts in Codex Bezae, continues the comparison of the message of Acts transmitted by Codex Bezae with that of the more familiar Alexandrian text, represented by Codex Vaticanus. For each section of Acts, there is a side by side translation of the Bezan and Alexandrian manuscripts, followed by a critical apparatus and, finally, a commentary that explores the variations in the message of the two texts. Working from this strong methodological foundation Jenny Read-Heimerdinger and Josep Rius-Camps conclude that the Bezan text is the earlier of the two. In the process they provide an illuminating and comprehensive guide to the Acts of the Apostles." --Book Jacket.




The Message of Acts in Codex Bezae (vol 2)


Book Description

"This final volume in the four-volume commentary, The Message of Acts in Codex Bezae, continues the comparison of the message of Acts transmitted by Codex Bezae with that of the more familiar Alexandrian text, represented by Codex Vaticanus. For each section of Acts, there is a side by side translation of the Bezan and Alexandrian manuscripts, followed by a critical apparatus and, finally, a commentary that explores the variations in the message of the two texts. Working from this strong methodological foundation Jenny Read-Heimerdinger and Josep Rius-Camps conclude that the Bezan text is the earlier of the two. In the process they provide an illuminating and comprehensive guide to the Acts of the Apostles." --Book Jacket.







Acts 1-9:42, Volume 37A


Book Description

The Word Biblical Commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology. These widely acclaimed commentaries serve as exceptional resources for the professional theologian and instructor, the seminary or university student, the working minister, and everyone concerned with building theological understanding from a solid base of biblical scholarship.