John 7:40

John 7:40 tw/n lo,gwn tou,twn

Despite the simple, straightforward nature of the account, a curious multiplicity of variant readings developed during the transmission of the text. They include the following:

(1) tw/n lo,gwn tou,twn î^{66c, 75} a^c B L T U it^{a, b, e, q} syr^{hmg, pal} cop^{sa, bo} goth arm
(2) tw/n lo,gwn auvtou/ K W P syr^{c, p, htxt}
(3) auvtou/ tw/n lo,gwn tou,twn î^66* a* D Q
(4) tw/n lo,gwn E H M G D*
(5) to.n lo,gon S D² L
(6) to.n lo,gon tou/ton X many minuscules cop^sa eth
(7) tou,twn tw/n lo,gwn G
(8) auvtou/ to.n lo,gon 124
(9) omit 106 ù⁴⁴ syr^s

Although John prefers to use the singular number of lo,goj (the plural occurs elsewhere only in John 10:19; John 14:24; and John 19:13), an analysis of the external evidence suggests that the singular number (variants 5, 6, and 8) is a secondary development from the plural. Likewise, the omission (9) must be accounted accidental. Reading (3) has the appearance of being a conflation. Of the other readings a majority of the Committee preferred (1) on the basis of age and diversity of external attestation.