John 21:23

John 21:23 e;rcomai( @ti, pro.j se,*# {C}

Several witnesses, including a* C² ¦¹ 565 it^{a, e} syr^s arm, lack the words ti, pro.j se,. ²⁵ Although Tischendorf (8th ed.) and von Soden regarded the shorter text as original (the evangelist often varies the wording in a repeated phrase), it is also possible that copyists omitted the clause in order to draw attention to what was taken as the primary element in Jesus’ reply (codex Bezae accomplishes the same effect by omitting ti,). In view of the close balance of probabilities, a majority of the Committee preferred to retain the clause, but to enclose it within square brackets to indicate doubt that it belongs in the text.

²⁵ The text of the same phrase in ver. John 21:22 is firm.