1:2.-"Even as it is written in Isaiah the prophet." The reading of the Authorized Version "in the prophets" is that of one important manuscript. The words " in Isaiah the prophet" no doubt present a difficulty, as the remainder of the verse is quoted not from Isaiah, but from Mal. 3. But there are several difficulties of this kind connected with quotations from the Old Testament.
1:14.-" Preaching the gospel of God." One manuscript has " the gospel of the kingdom of God." " The gospel of God," and " the gospel of the kingdom" are common phrases in the New Testament; but we do not think that the expression " the gospel of the kingdom of God" occurs anywhere, except in this passage.
1:24.-In this verse the clause, " Let us alone" is omitted by the Revisers, in accordance with some of the oldest manuscript.
2:14. " The place of toll" is possibly preferable to " the receipt of custom," as being more intelligible to modern readers. In Greek this idea is expressed in a single word, derived from the noun translated "custom" (both in the Authorized and Revised Versions) in Rom. 13:77Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. (Romans 13:7).
2:18.-" John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting" this is the literal and evident meaning of the passage. The rendering of the Authorized Version, "used to fast," is far less appropriate.
3:5.-" His hand was restored." The words " whole as the other" have here been omitted.
(To- be continued)