John 18:5

John 18:5 VEgw, eivmi) {C}

In considering the variant readings of this verse it must be recalled that normally scribes contracted the name VIhsou/j to i=c=. On the one hand, it is possible that, if o` VIhsou/j stood originally after auvtoi/j, the words may have been accidentally omitted through an oversight in transcription (autoicoi=c=); or, if VIhsou/j stood originally before ei`sth,kei (which in many manuscripts is written i`sth,kei), it may also have been accidentally omitted in transcription (i=c=ictykei). On the other hand, if evgw, eivmi were the original reading, it is probable that copyists would have identified the speaker by inserting the proper name. The variation of position of $o`% VIhsou/j before or after evgw, eivmi is further indication of the secondary character of the longer readings.