Textual Variants & Reformation Bibles Before King James

In this post I will be quoting from the Bibles produced during the Reformation period in respect to some of the verses, which are not found in modern English translations of the Holy Bible, or are placed within brackets or parentheses to indicate that the translators question their textual veracity. I include the English translation of the Latin Vulgate since this also was produced during the Reformation. Many of these versions can be found on Textus Receptus Bibles, specifically by clicking on this link: Translations.

Matt. 17:21

“Howebeit, this kynde goeth not out, but by prayer and fastyng.” Bishops’ Bible 1568 (BB)

“How beit this kinde goeth not out, but by prayer and fastynge.” Coverdale Bible 1535 (CB)

“But this kind is not cast out but by prayer and fasting.” Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)

“Howbeit thys kynde goeth not out, but by prayer and fastinge.” The Great Bible 1539 (GB)

“Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” Authorized King James Version (AV)

“However, this kind does not go out but by prayer and fasting.” New Matthew Bible (NMB)

“Nevertheless, this kind only comes out by prayer and fasting.” Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

“How be it this kynde goeth not oute but by prayer and fastinge.” Tyndale Bible 1534 (TB)

“but this kind is not cast out, but by prayer and fasting.” Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

Matt. 18:11

“For the sonne of man, is come to saue that which was lost.” BB

“for the sonne of man is come to saue that which is lost.” CB

“For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.” DRA

“For the sonne of man is come to saue that whych was lost.” GB

“For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.” AV

“Yea, and the Son of man has come to save that which is lost.” NMB

“For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.” RGT

“Ye and the sonne of man is come to saue that which is lost.” TB

“For man's Son came to save that thing that perished.” WYC

Matt. 23:14

“Wo vnto you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites: for ye deuoure widdowes houses, and that vnder a pretence of long prayer: therfore ye shall receaue the greater dampnation.” BB

“Wo vnto you Scrybes and Pharises, ye ypocrytes, that deuoure wyddowes houses, and that vnder the culoure of prayenge longe prayers, therfore shal ye receaue ye greater damnacion.” CB

“Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites: because you devour the houses of widows, praying long prayers. For this you shall receive the greater judgment.” DRA

“Wo vnto you Scribes, & pharises, ye ypocrites: for ye deuoure wyddowes houses: and that vnder a pretence of longe prayer: therfore shall ye be the sorer punysshed.” GB

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.” AV

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You devour widows’ houses, and that under a colour of praying long prayers, for which you shall receive the greater damnation.” NMB

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, even under a pretense of long prayers. Therefore, you shall receive the greater damnation.” RGT

“Wo be vnto you Scribes and Pharises ypocrites: ye devoure widdowes houses and that vnder a coloure of praying longe prayers: wherfore ye shall receave greater damnacion.” (TB)

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, that eat the houses of widows, and pray by long prayer; for this thing ye shall take the more doom.” WYC

Mark 7:16

“If any man haue eares to heare, let hym heare.” BB

“Yf eny man haue eares to heare, let him heare.” CB

“If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.” DRA

“If eny man haue eares to heare, let hym heare.” GB

“If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.” AV

“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” NMB

“If any have ears to hear, let him hear.” RGT

“If eny man have eares to heare let him heare.” TB

“If any man have ears of hearing [Forsooth if any man have ears to hear], hear he.” WYC

Mark 9:44, 46

“Where their worme dyeth not, & the fire goeth not out.” BB

“where their worme dyeth not, and their fyre goeth not out.” CB

“Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not extinguished.” DRA

“where theyr worme dyeth not, and the fyre goeth not out.” GB

“Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” AV

“where their worm dies not and the fire never goes out.” NMB

“‘Where their worm dies not, and the fire never goes out.’” RGT

“where there worme dyeth not and the fyre never goeth oute.” TB

“where the worm of them dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” WYC

Mark 11:26

“But yf you do not forgeue: neither wyll your father, which is in heauen, forgeue you your trespasses.” BB

“But if you will not forgive, neither will your Father that is in heaven, forgive you your sins.” DRA

“But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” AV

“For if you will not forgive, your Father Who is in Heaven will not pardon you your trespasses.” RGT

“And if ye forgive not, neither your Father that is in heavens, shall forgive to you your sins.” WYC

Mark 15:28

“And the Scripture was fulfylled which sayth: He was counted among the wycked.” BB

“Then was the scrypture fulfilled, which sayeth: He was couted amonge the euell doers.” CB

“And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith: And with the wicked he was reputed.” DRA

“And the scrypture was fulfylled which sayeth: he was counted amonge the wycked.” GB

“And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.” AV

“And the scripture was fulfilled which says, He was counted among the wicked.” NMB

”And He was counted among the wicked.” RGT

“And the scripture was fulfilled which sayeth: he was counted amonge the wicked.” TB

“And the scripture was fulfilled that saith, And he is ordained [And he is areckoned] with wicked men.” WYC

Luke 17:36

“Two [men] shalbe in the fielde: the one shalbe receaued, & the other forsake.” BB

“Two women shall be grinding together: the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left: two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.” DRA

“Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.” AV

“Two shall be in the field. One shall be received, and another shall be left.” RGT

“two in a field, the one shall be taken, and the other left.” WYC

Luke 23:17

“For of necessitie he must haue let one loose vnto them at the feast.” BB

“For he must haue let one lowse vnto them after the custome of the feast.” CB

“Now of necessity he was to release unto them one upon the feast day.” DRA

“For of necessyte, he must haue let one losse vnto them at the feast.” GB

“(For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)” AV

“(For custom constrained Pilate to release one prisoner to them at that feast.)” NMB

“(For it was necessary that he release one to them at the Feast.)” RGT

“For of necessite he must have let one lowse vnto them at that feast.” TB

“But he must needs deliver to them one by the feast day. [Forsooth he had need to dismiss, or deliver, to them one by the feast day.]” WYC

John 5:4

“For an Angel went downe at a certayne season into the poole, and stirred the water: Whosoeuer then firste after the stirring of the water stepped in, was made whole of whatsoeuer disease he hadde.” BB

“For the angell wente downe at his tyme in to the pole, and stered the water. Who so euer now wente downe first, after that the water was stered, ye same was made whole, what soeuer disease he had.” CB

“And an angel of the Lord descended at certain times into the pond; and the water was moved. And he that went down first into the pond after the motion of the water, was made whole, of whatsoever infirmity he lay under.” DRA

“For an angell went doune at a certayne ceason into the pole, and stered the water. Whosoeuer then fyrst (after the steringe of the water) stepped in, was made whoale of whatsoeuer disease he had.” GB

“For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.” AV

“For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water. Whoever then first after the stirring of the water stepped in, was made whole of whatever disease he had.” NMB

“For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool and stirred the water. Whoever then first stepped in, after the stirring of the water, was made whole of whatever disease he had.” RGT

“For an angell wet doune at a certayne ceason into ye pole and troubled ye water. Whosoever then fyrst after the steringe of the water stepped in was made whoale of what soever disease he had.” TB

“For the angel of the Lord came down certain times into the [standing] water, and the water was moved; and he that first came down into the cistern, after the moving of the water, was made whole of whatever sickness he was held [was made whole of whatever sickness he was holden with].” WYC

Acts 8:37

“Philip sayde [vnto hym] If thou beleuest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he aunswered, and saide: I beleue that Iesus Christe is the sonne of God.” BB

“Philippe sayde: Yf thou beleue from thy whole herte, thou mayest. He answered, and sayde: I beleue, that Iesus Christ is the sonne of God.” CB

“And Philip said: If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And he answering, said: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” DRA

“Philip sayde vnto him: If thou beleue with all thyne hert, thou mayest. And he answered, and sayde: I beleue that Iesus Christ is the sonne of God.” GB

“And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” AV

“Philip said to him, If you believe with all your heart, you may be. He answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” NMB

“And Philip said to him, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ Then he answered, and said, ‘I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’” RGT

“Philip sayde vnto him: Yf thou beleve with all thyne hert thou mayst. He answered and sayde: I beleve that Iesus Christe is the sonne of God.” TB

“And Philip said, If thou believest of all thine heart, it is leaveful. And he answered, and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” WYC

Acts 15:34

“Notwithstandyng, it pleased Silas to abyde there styll.” BB

“Notwithstondinge Sylas thoughte it good to byde there styll.” CB

“But it seemed good unto Silas to remain there; and Judas alone departed to Jerusalem.” DRA

“Not withstandyng it pleased Sylas, to abyde there styll” GB

“Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.” AV

“Notwithstanding, it pleased Silas to remain there still.” NMB

“However, Silas thought it good to remain there.” RGT

“Not with stondynge it pleasyd Sylas to abyde there still.” TB

“But it was seen to Silas, to dwell there; and Judas went alone to Jerusalem.” WYC

Acts 24:7

“But the hye captayne Lysias, came vpon vs, and with great violence toke hym away out of our handes,” BB

“But Lysias the hye captayne came vpo vs, and with greate violence delyuered him out of oure handes,” CB

“But Lysias the tribune coming upon us, with great violence took him away out of our hands;” DRA

“but the hye captayne Lisias came vpon vs, and with great violence toke hym awaye oute of oure handes,” GB

“But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,” AV

“but the high captain Lysias came upon us, and with great force took him away out of our hands,” NMB

“But the chief captain, Lysias, came upon us and (with great violence) took him out of our hands,” RGT

“but the hye captayne Lisias came vpon vs and with great violence toke him awaye out of oure hodes” TB

“But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,” WYC

Acts 28:29

“And when he had sayde these wordes, the Iewes departed, and had great reasonyng among them selues.” BB

“And wha he sayde yt, ye Iewes departed, & had a greate disputacion amonge the selues.” CB

“And when he had said these things, the Jews went out from him, having much reasoning among themselves.” DRA

“And when he had sayde these wordes, the Iewes departed from him and had greate despycions amonge them selues.” GB

“And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.” AV

“And when he had said that, the Jews departed, and had great disputations among themselves.” NMB

“And when he had said these things, the Jews departed, and had great disputes among themselves.” RGT

“And when he had sayde that the Iewes departed and had grete despicios amonge them selves.” TB

“And when he had said these things, Jews went out from him, and had much question, or musing [and had much question, or seeking], among themselves.” WYC

Romans 16:24

“The grace of our Lorde Iesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” BB

“The grace of or LORDE Iesu Christ be wt you all Ame,” CB

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” DRA

“The grace of our Lord Iesu Chryst be with you all. Amen.” GB

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” AV

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” NMB

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, Amen.” RGT

“The grace of oure Lorde Iesu Christ be wt you all. Ame” TB

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” WYC

1 Timothy 3:16

“And without doubt, great is that misterie of godlynesse: God was shewed in the flesshe, was iustified in the spirite, was seene among the angels, was preached vnto the gentiles, was beleued on in the worlde, and was receaued vp in glorie.” BB

“and without naye, greate is that mystery of godlynes. God was shewed in the flesh: was iustified in the sprete: was sene of angels: was preached vnto the Heythen: was beleued on in the worlde: was receaued vp in glory.” CB

“And without doute great is that mystery of godlynes: God was shewed in the flesshe, was iustifyed in the sprete, was sene amonge the Angels, was preached vnto the gentyls, was beleued on in the worlde, and receaued vp in glory.” GB

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” AV

“And there is no denying, great is the mystery of godliness: God was shown in the flesh, was confirmed in the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached to the Gentiles, was believed on in earth, and received up in glory.” NMB

“And admittedly, the mystery of godliness is great: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up in Glory.” RGT

“And with out naye great is that mistery of godlines: God was shewed in the flesshe was iustified in the sprete was sene of angels was preached vnto the gentyls was beleved on in erth and receaved vp in glory.” TB

1 John 5:7

“For there are three which beare recorde in heauen, the father, the worde, and the holy ghost, and these three are one.” BB

“(For there are thre which beare recorde in heauen: the father, the worde, and the holy goost, & these thre are one.)” CB

“And there are three who give testimony in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost. And these three are one.” DRA

“(For ther are thre which beare recorde in heauen the father the worde & the wholy goost. And these thre are one.)” GB

“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” AV

“For there are Three Who bear record in Heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost. And these Three are One.” RGT

“(For ther are thre which beare recorde in heuen the father the worde and the wholy goost. And these thre are one)” TB

“For three be, that give witnessing in heaven, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost [For three be, that bear witness in heaven, the Father, the Word, or Son, and the Holy Ghost]; and these three be one.” WYC

Further Reading

REFORMERS ON MK. 16:9-20, JN. 7:53-8:11, ACTS 8:37 & 1 JN. 5:7