Codex Schøyen 2650: A Middle Egyptian Coptic Witness to the Early Greek Text of Matthew's Gospel

In 2001, the exciting but enigmatic 4th century Coptic Matthew text, Codex Schøyen, was introduced as an alternative, non-canonical Matthew. In this book, James M. Leonard refutes these sensational claims through fresh methodological approaches and easily accessible analysis. Leonard reveals that the underlying Greek text is one of great quality, and that Codex Schøyen can contribute to the identification of the earliest attainable text—but only with due concern for translational interference. Leonard shows how Codex Schøyen’s close alliance with Codices Vaticanus and Sinaiticus allows triangulation of the three to help identify an earlier text form which they mutually reflect, and how this impacts a dozen variant passages in Matthew.

James M. Leonard, PhD (2012), studied at Regent College and at Cambridge, and was Scholar-in-Residence at CNTTS, New Orleans (2010-2012). He adjuncts at Loyola University–New Orleans and Notre Dame Seminary, while researching in Coptic Bible, text and canon, and Jesus and the Gospels.

We congratulate Leonard for having doggedly pursued the aims of his thesis with courtesy and proper academic rigour. ...Leonard’s hare has started a worthwhile run...

J.K. Elliott, Novum Testamentum 57 (20150