List of scriptures that do not appear in the oldest texts, that appear in the KJV
The Comma Johanneum as it is referred to, originated as a common literary explanation or formula for the Trinity. It first appeared in the 3rd century in some of the literature which debated the oneness concepts of the Trinity. Even though this formula would become very popular, at the time, very few Church Fathers agreed with it.
At some point this short summary of the Trinity made its way into the margin notes of some of the Bibles that were written after the 5th century. Unlike other examples of popular margin notes that made their way into the scriptures, the Comma Johanneum found its way into the verses of the Bible by way of another avenue. After the 6th century, the Byzantines begain to recopy and retranslate the available Greek texts of the New Testament. At this point some of these copies became known as the “Textus Receptus.” It was in some of these that the formula was added and then later included in some of the Bibles. Most notably the King James Version, which relied heavily on these texts. As it happened the Comma Johanneum Addition was much more than a retranslation, or an addition, but rather a replacement of the original scriptures with a popular theological statement. They kept the verse numbers in sequence so that it would not be as noticeable.
The scriptures involved are 1st John 5:7&8. The original scriptures read as follows... (Quoting 6 through 8, so it can be read in context)
“6. This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. 7. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth. 8. And it is the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.”
This was replaced with what came to be called the Comma Johanneum Addition. Verses 7 and 8 are the added lines.
6: This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7: For there are three that bear record in Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8: And there are three that bear witness in Earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
As one can see there is no chance that these are simply a different translation, but rather a removal of the scriptures and an insertion of a theological statement for an intended purpose. Of course and again, there is no question that the Trinity exists, just that the Bible does not support the commonly explained formula or description of it.
(1) Matthew 17:21
KJV: Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
Reason: The verse closely resembles Mark 9:29, but it is lacking in Matthew in
א (original handwriting),
B, θ, some Italic & Syriac & Coptic & Ethiopic mss. It is, however, found in this place in some Greek mss not quite so ancient –
C,
D, K, L – as well as some other mss of the ancient versions. It is believed to have been assimilated from Mark.
[15]
(2) Matthew 18:11
KJV: For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
(3) Matthew 23:14
KJV: Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
(4) Mark 7:16
KJV: If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
Reason: This verse is nearly identical with verses 4:9 and 4:23. This verse here is lacking in א,B,L,Δ (original handwriting), some Coptic mss. It is included in mss only slightly less ancient, A,D,K,W,ƒ1,ƒ13, Italic mss, the Vulgate, some other ancient versions. As it is missing in the very oldest resources and yet is identical to verses that remain, many editors seem confident in omitting its appearance here.
(5 & 6) Mark 9:44 & 9:46
KJV: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. .. (Both verses identical to each other, and to 9:48, which is still in the main text)
(7) Mark 11:26
KJV: But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Reason: This verse is very similar to Matthew 6:15. This verse appeared in the Complutensian Polyglot and most Textus Receptus editions but Erasmus noted that it was missing from 'most' Greek manuscripts.
[19] The UBS edition gave the omission of this verse a confidence rating of A.
(8) Mark 15:28
KJV: And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, "And he was numbered with the transgressors."
Reasons: This verse is similar to Luke 22:37. It does not appear in any New Testament ms prior to the end of the 6th century.
[20]
(9) Luke 17:36
KJV: Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
(10) John 5:3–4
Main article: John 5 § Interpolation (verses 3b-4)
KJV: 3 . . .
waiting for the moving of the water.
4
For an Angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
(Note: not only is verse 4 omitted, but also the tail end of verse 3.)
Reason: These words clearly were not in the original text of the Gospel.
(11) Acts 8:3
Main article: Acts 8 § Verse 37
KJV: And Philip said, "If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest." And he [the Eunuch] answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
Modern versions: Either sidelined to a footnote (e.g., RV, RSV, NRSV, NIV, Hodges & Farstad Majority Text), or omitted altogether (e.g., Moffatt, Goodspeed, Schonfield, Robinson & Pierpont Majority Text).
Reason: The earliest Greek manuscript (
Ea/E2) of the New Testament to include this verse dates from the late sixth or early seventh century
(12) Acts 15:34
KJV: Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.
Reason: Although this verse, or something similar to it, is quite old, it does not appear in the oldest manuscripts, and the manuscripts that do contain it are inconsistent about its text.
(13) Acts 24:6–8
KJV: 6
Who also hath gone about to profane the Temple, whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.
7
But the chief captain, Lysias, came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,
8
Commanding his accusers to come unto thee, by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. (Note above that not only is verse 7 omitted, but also the end of verse 6 and beginning of verse 8.)
To clarify, only the emphasized words are omitted, removing all of verse 7, but leaving the beginning of verse 6 and most of verse 8. The resulting text looks like this (from the Revised Version):
RV: 6
Who moreover assayed to profane the temple; on whom we also laid hold;
8
from whom thou wilt be able, by examining him thyself, to take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
Reason: These words are not found in the oldest sources
(14) Acts 28:29
KJV: And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning [arguing]
among themselves.
RV: (verse omitted from main text, in footnote with comment, "Some ancient authorities insert verse 29")
Reason: This verse is lacking in the oldest sources –
(15) Romans 16:24
KJV: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
RV: (omitted from main text, in footnote)
