It is well known that our two oldest Codices, Cod. B and Cod. {HEBREW LETTER ALEF}, (see above, p.80,) exhibit S. Matthew xxvii.49, as follows. After {GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} [Cod. Sinait. {GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}] {GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU}, they read: --

(COD. B.)
{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON} {GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER BETA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER GAMMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER CHI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER XI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON} {GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER PI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER XI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER THETA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO} {GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER MU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}

(COD. {HEBREW LETTER ALEF}.)
{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON} {GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER BETA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER GAMMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER CHI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER XI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON} {GREEK CAPITAL LETTER TAU}{GREEK CAPITAL LETTER ETA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER PI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER XI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER THETA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO} {GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER MU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}

Then comes, {GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON} {GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON} {GREEK CAPITAL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK CAPITAL LETTER SIGMA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER PI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER XI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA}.{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}.{GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}. The same is also the reading of Codd. C, L, U, {GREEK CAPITAL LETTER GAMMA}: and it is known to recur in the following cursives, -- 5, 48, 67, 115, 127.(572)

Obvious is it to suspect with Matthaei, (ed.1803, vol. i. p.158,) that it was the Lectionary practice of the Oriental Church which occasioned this interpolation. In S. John xix.34 occurs the well-known record, -- {GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH PSILI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK KORONIS} {GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH PSILI AND PERISPOMENI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA WITH PERISPOMENI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA WITH PERISPOMENI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER GAMMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER CHI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA WITH YPOGEGRAMMENI} {GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON WITH PSILI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON WITH PERISPOMENI} {GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA WITH VARIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER PI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH VARIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH PSILI AND OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER XI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}, {GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH VARIA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON WITH PSILI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER THETA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON WITH VARIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH PSILI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER XI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA WITH PERISPOMENI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER THETA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH DASIA AND PERISPOMENI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER MU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH VARIA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON WITH DASIA AND OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}: and it was the established practice of the Easterns, in the Ecclesiastical lection for Good Friday, (viz. S. Matth. xxvii.1-61,) to interpose S. John xix.31 to 37 between the 54th and the 55th verses of S. Matthew. This will be found alluded to above, at p.202 and again at pp.218-9.

After the pages just quoted were in type, while examining Harl. MS.5647 in the British Museum, (our Evan.72,) I alighted on the following Scholion, which I have since found that Wetstein duly published; but which has certainly not attracted the attention it deserves, and which is incorrectly represented as referring to the end of S. Matth. xxvii.49. It is against ver. 48 that there is written in the margin, --

({GREEK CAPITAL LETTER ETA}(573) {GREEK CAPITAL LETTER OMICRON WITH DASIA AND OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH PSILI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON WITH VARIA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER THETA}{GREEK KORONIS} {GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH DASIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON WITH PSILI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER GAMMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER GAMMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK CAPITAL LETTER DELTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON} {GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH VARIA} {GREEK CAPITAL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON WITH PERISPOMENI} {GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH VARIA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH PSILI AND OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER PHI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH DASIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER GAMMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER PI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU}: {GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON WITH PERISPOMENI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON} {GREEK SMALL LETTER PI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}:

({GREEK CAPITAL LETTER ETA} {GREEK CAPITAL LETTER ALPHA WITH PSILI AND OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH VARIA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER BETA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU}: {GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER GAMMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER CHI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH PSILI AND OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER XI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON WITH PSILI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON WITH PERISPOMENI} {GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA WITH VARIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER PI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH VARIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU}. {GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH VARIA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH PSILI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER XI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA WITH PERISPOMENI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER THETA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON WITH DASIA AND OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO} {GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH VARIA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH DASIA AND PERISPOMENI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER MU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}: {GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON WITH PERISPOMENI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON} {GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER GAMMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH VARIA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON WITH DASIA} {GREEK CAPITAL LETTER CHI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER MU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA}.

This writer is perfectly correct in his statement. In Chrysostom's 88th Homily on S. Matthew's Gospel, (Opp. vii, 825 C: [vol. ii, p.526, ed. Field.]) is read as follows: -- {GREEK CAPITAL LETTER EPSILON WITH PSILI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER MU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK CAPITAL LETTER ETA WITH PSILI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH PSILI AND PERISPOMENI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}, {GREEK SMALL LETTER PHI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH VARIA}, {GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON WITH VARIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER MU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU}, {GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH VARIA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON WITH PSILI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER THETA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH PSILI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER PI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON WITH PSILI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON WITH VARIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON WITH PSILI AND OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER XI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA}: (which is clearly meant to be a summary of the contents of ver. 48: then follows) {GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH DASIA AND OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH VARIA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER PI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER THETA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER GAMMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER CHI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA WITH YPOGEGRAMMENI} {GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON WITH PSILI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON WITH PERISPOMENI} {GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA WITH PERISPOMENI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER PI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH VARIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH PSILI AND OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER XI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}. (Chrysostom quotes no further, but proceeds, -- {GREEK CAPITAL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH OXIA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER GAMMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH PSILI AND OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER PI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER MU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU}, {GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH OXIA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH VARIA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER THETA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU}, {GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA}.{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}.{GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}.)

I find it impossible on a review of the evidence to adhere to the opinion I once held, and have partially expressed above, (viz. at p.202,) that the Lectionary-practice of the Eastern Church was the occasion of this corrupt reading in our two oldest uncials. A corrupt reading it undeniably is; and the discredit of exhibiting it, Codd. B, {HEBREW LETTER ALEF}, (not to say Codd. C, L, U, {GREEK CAPITAL LETTER GAMMA},) must continue to sustain. That Chrysostom and Cyril also employed Codices disfigured by this self-same blemish, is certain. It is an interesting and suggestive circumstance. Nor is this all. Severus(574) relates that between A.D.496 and 511, being at Constantinople, he had known this very reading strenuously discussed: whereupon had been produced a splendid copy of S. Matthew's Gospel, traditionally said to have been found with the body of the Apostle Barnabas in the Island of Cyprus in the time of the Emperor Zeno (A.D.474-491); and preserved in the palace with superstitious veneration in consequence. It contained no record of the piercing of the SAVIOUR'S side: nor (adds Severus) does any ancient Interpreter mention the transaction in that place, -- except Chrysostom and Cyril of Alexandria; into whose Commentaries it has found its way. -- Thus, to Codices B, {HEBREW LETTER ALEF}, C and the copy familiarly employed by Chrysostom, has to be added the copy which Cyril of Alexandria(575) employed; as well as evidently sundry other Codices extant at Constantinople about A.D.500. That the corruption of the text of S. Matthew's Gospel under review is ancient therefore, and was once very widely spread, is certain. The question remains, -- and this is the only point to be determined, -- How did it originate?

Now it must be candidly admitted, that if the strange method of the Lectionaries already explained, (viz. of interposing seven verses of S. John's xixth chapter [ver.31-7] between the 54th and 55th verses of S. Matth. xxvii,) really were the occasion of this interpolation of S. John xix.34 after S. Matth. xxvii.48 or 49, -- two points would seem to call for explanation which at present remain unexplained: First, (1) Why does only that one verse find place in the interpolated copies? And next, (2) How does it come to pass that that one verse is exhibited in so very depraved and so peculiar a form?

For, to say nothing of the inverted order of the two principal words, (which is clearly due to 1 S. John v.6,) let it be carefully noted that the substitution of {GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH PSILI AND OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH VARIA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER BETA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER GAMMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER CHI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU}, for {GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH PSILI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK KORONIS} {GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH PSILI AND PERISPOMENI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA WITH PERISPOMENI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA WITH PERISPOMENI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER GAMMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER CHI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA WITH YPOGEGRAMMENI} of the Evangelist, is a tell-tale circumstance. The turn thus licentiously given to the narrative clearly proceeded from some one who was bent on weaving incidents related by different writers into a connected narrative, and who was sometimes constrained to take liberties with his Text in consequence. (Thus, S. Matthew having supplied the fact that "ONE OF THEM ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave Him to drink," S. John is made to say, "AND ANOTHER -- took a spear.") Now, this is exactly what Tatian is related by Eusebius to have done: viz. "after some fashion of his own, to have composed out of the four Gospels one connected narrative."(576)

When therefore, (as in the present Scholion,) an ancient Critic who appears to have been familiarly acquainted with the lost "Diatessaron" of Tatian, comes before us with the express declaration that in that famous monument of the primitive age (A.D.173), S. John's record of the piercing of our SAVIOUR'S side was thrust into S. Matthew's History of the Passion in this precise way and in these very terms, -- (for, "Note," he says, "That into the Evangelical History of Diodorus, of Tatian, and of divers other holy Fathers, is introduced [here] the following addition: 'And another took a spear and pierced His side, and there came out Water and Blood.' This, Chrysostom also says"), -- it is even unreasonable to seek for any other explanation of the vitiated text of our two oldest Codices. Not only is the testimony to the critical fact abundantly sufficient, but the proposed solution of the difficulty, in itself the reverse of improbable, is in the highest degree suggestive as well as important. For, -- May we not venture to opine that the same {GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER THETA}{GREEK KORONIS} {GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH DASIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON WITH PSILI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER GAMMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER GAMMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU}, -- as this Writer aptly designates Tatian's work, -- is responsible for not a few of the monstra potius quam variae lectiones(577) which are occasionally met with in the earliest MSS. of all? And, -- Am I not right in suggesting that the circumstance before us is the only thing we know for certain about the text of Tatian's (miscalled) "Harmony?"

To conclude. -- That the "Diatessaron" of Tatian, (for so, according to Eusebius and Theodoret, Tatian himself styled it,) has long since disappeared, no one now doubts.(578) That Eusebius himself, (who lived 150 years after the probable date of its composition,) had never seen it, may I suppose be inferred from the terms in which he speaks of it. Jerome does not so much as mention its existence. Epiphanius, who is very full and particular concerning the heresy of Tatian, affords no indication that he was acquainted with his work. On the contrary. "The Diatessaron Gospel," (he remarks in passing,) "which some call the Gospel according to the Hebrews, is said to have been the production of this writer."(579) The most interesting notice we have of Tatian's work is from the pen of Theodoret. After explaining that Tatian the Syrian, originally a Sophist, and next a disciple of Justin Martyr [A.D.150], after Justin's death aspired to being a heretical leader, -- (statements which are first found in Irenaeus,) -- Theodoret enumerates his special tenets. "This man" (he proceeds) "put together the so-called Diatessaron Gospel, -- from which he cut away the genealogies, and whatever else shews that the LORD was born of the seed of David. The book was used not only by those who favoured Tatian's opinions, but by the orthodox as well; who, unaware of the mischievous spirit in which the work had been executed, in their simplicity used the book as an epitome. I myself found upwards of two hundred such copies honourably preserved in the Churches of this place," (Cyrus in Syria namely, of which Theodoret was made Bishop, A.D.423,) -- "all of which I collected together, and put aside; substituting the Gospels of the Four Evangelists in their room."(580)

The diocese of Theodoret (he says) contained eight hundred Parishes.(581) It cannot be thought surprising that a work of which copies had been multiplied to such an extraordinary extent, and which was evidently once held in high esteem, should have had some influence on the text of the earliest Codices; and here, side by side with a categorical statement as to one of its licentious interpolations, we are furnished with documentary proof that many an early MS. also was infected with the same taint. To assume that the two phenomena stand related to one another in the way of cause and effect, seems to be even an inevitable proceeding.

I will not prolong this note by inquiring concerning the "Diodorus" of whom the unknown author of this scholion speaks: but I suppose it was that Diodorus who was made Bishop of Tarsus in A.D.378. He is related to have been the preceptor of Chrysostom; was a very voluminous writer; and, among the rest, according to Suidas, wrote a work "on the Four Gospels."

Lastly, -- How about the singular introduction into the Lection for Good-Friday of this incident of the piercing of the REDEEMER'S side? Is it allowable to conjecture that, indirectly, the Diatessaron of Tatian may have been the occasion of that circumstance also; as well as of certain other similar phenomena in the Evangeliaria?