JoyJuice

Is the underlined from this Wikipedia article correct?

For instance, Mark 1:1 has been found in two different forms. Half of the discovered texts before the 2nd century contain the phrase "Son of God", while half do not. (NB: The article "the" is not present in Greek MSS; it was instead added to English translations for flow and compatibility with Church doctrine. "A Son of God" would also be a correct translation, as would the omission the article entirely.)

We have texts of containing this portion of Mark from before the 2nd century?

ynquirer

We don't have any MSS of the gospel Mark prior to the Codex Sinaiticus (mid 4th century). However, fragments of the gospel were quoted by Christian Fathers in the mid- to late-2nd century. Wikipedia must be in reference to the latter.

S.C.Carlson

No. Even the fragmentary 7Q5, which has incorrectly be put forth as a first text of Mark, does not cover Mark 1:1. (Supposedly, 7Q5 is the bit from Mark 6:52-3).

Stephen

S.C.Carlson

P45, which has large portions of Mark among its surviving leaves, is about a century older than Sinaiticus. It is the oldest surviving MS of Mark.

Stephen

ynquirer

That’s true, Stephen. But I rather thought of the first text including Mark 1:1, and that is Aleph so far. P45 includes two fragments of Mark – 4:36-9:31 and 11:27-12:28 – neither of which covers the questioned verse.

When rereading JoyJuice’s post, something strikes me as odd. It says “texts before the 2nd century.� Before the 2nd century is the 1st century, and for the 1st century there is not anything at all: not great uncials, not papyri, not even Church Fathers.

On the other hand, I’ve checked JoyJuice’s link to Wikipedia, to no avail: I haven’t found the text he quotes. Are you sure the link is ok?

Chris Weimer

Here's the correct link.

JoyJuice

Sorry, correct link, but wrong page. Chris Weimer has provided correct page.

Vinnie

What is half of zero?

S.C.Carlson

If you're limiting it to the first MS including Mark 1:1, then you're right that the earliest surviving MS with 1:1 is Aleph/01 (or the contemporary Vaticanus/B, depending on how they're dated relative to each other).

ynquirer

Thank you, Chris. How do you manage to track the whole Wikipedia website?