Variant Readings of Luke 22:15-20 and the Relationship of Codex Bezae to Curetonian Syriac

Abstract The text of Luke 22:15–20 exists in several variant forms. Often these are classified simply as the ‘longer’ and ‘shorter’ form of the text. This paper argues that these designations are misleading as there are several important variations within the shorter form. Some of these variations are in Syriac and have often been ignored, with some scholars dismissing them as not relevant to the question of the original composition of Luke. By examining the probable origin of the additional verses of the longer text, and by analysing the variations that exist within the shorter text, especially including taking the Syriac evidence seriously, this paper suggests that the longer version is the more original. An examination of the Syriac texts leads to the ability to show that Bezae (in both Greek and Latin) and Curetonian (in Syriac) share a closer common ancestor than may be generally assumed, given their different languages. The paper ends by showing how these two MSS are related to one another.