Some New Testament textual variants are brief passages or single words which are included in some translations and missing in others. There are three types of these variants:

• Many are included in Byzantine (Byz) manuscripts and the TR (the textus receptus) but missing in major non-Byzantine manuscripts and the GNT (Greek New Testament). Good examples are Mark 9:44, 46.

•Some variants are only in minor manuscripts but are likely to be found in the TR. Two notable examples are Acts 8:37 and I John 5:7-8.

•Variants of a third group are missing in Byz and TR, but are found in major non-Byzantine manuscripts and GNT.

This edition focuses on the third category. Below are several examples. In each case, passages from popular translations are listed. The variant(s) are highlighted in red. Click on the "See Greek" button for more in-depth information.

Example 1 (Acts 4:25)

After Jewish rulers had reprimanded and then released the apostles Peter and John (as recorded in Acts chapter four), they and the whole company lifted their voices to God and asked Him to be gracious to them in the face of opposition and allow them to openly proclaim His word. They quoted Psalm two and reflected on King David's boldness in the face of adversity from his enemies. Verse 25 reads:

(KJV) "Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?"

(NASB) "who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said, 'Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples devise futile things?'"

(NIV) "You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?'"

Example 2 (I Peter 2:2)

In I Peter chapter two, the apostle speaks about leaving the elements of the old life behind and growing spiritually. In verse two, he says:

(KJV) "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:"

(NASB) "like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,"

(NIV) "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,"

Example 3 (I Peter 5:2)

In I Peter chapter five, Peter addresses the elders of the churches admonishing them to lead under God's guidance and will. In verse two, he says:

(KJV) "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;"

(NASB) "shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness"

(NIV) "Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;"

Example 4 (II Peter 3:3)

In II Peter chapter three, the apostle reminds his readers of ancient prophecies about those who, in the last days of the age, would ridicule the truths revealed by himself and the other apostles. In verse three, he says:

(KJV) "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, . . . "

(NASB) "Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, . . . "

(NIV) "Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires."

Example 5 (I Thess. 4:1)

The apostle Paul begins I Thessalonians chapter four by urging believers to live in a way that is pleasing to the Lord - a lesson he had already taught them when he founded the church. In verse one, he says:

(KJV) "Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more."

(NASB) "Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more."

(NIV) "As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more."

Example 6 (I Cor. 9:20)

The apostle Paul explained to the Corinthians that, as he witnessed, he would identify himself with those to whom he was witnessing. He gives details in I Corinthians 9:20-22. In verse 20 he says:

(KJV) "And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;"

(NASB) "To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law;"

(NIV) "To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law."

Greek Text sources cited above include:
Aleph(א) (codex Sinaiticus manuscript),
A (codex Alexandrinus manuscript),
B (codex Vaticanus manuscript),
Byz (the Byzantine manuscripts),
TR (Textus Receptus Greek text), and
GNT (Greek New Testament text).