Augustine’s Explicit References to Variant Readings of the New Testament Text: A Case Study

Abstract This article analyzes a sample of passages where Augustine explicitly refers to different Latin versions of the New Testament text; it intends to expand Amy Donaldson’s list of patristic references to New Testament variants. It also takes into consideration the evidence available to us today (manuscripts and quotations of Latin church fathers). In doing so, it offers insights into Augustine’s way of dealing with variants and also provides a comparison between the material available to Augustine and the data extant today. Even though his attitude is usually characterized by an acceptance of the different versions rather than by their critical evaluation, Augustine sometimes assesses different versions according to specific criteria, which could—on a very basic level—be summarized as principles of a (text-)critical attitude. Additionally, it can be stated that in almost all instances presented in this paper, the textual variation mentioned by Augustine is also displayed somehow in the material available to us today.