The Significance of the Byzantine Text for Textual Criticism Within the Book of Acts

by Hassan Aziz Siddiqui

Publisher:

Wipf and Stock

, 2025

Overview

The overall Greek manuscript evidence for the Acts of the Apostles displays the most significant textual variation of any New Testament book. For over two hundred years, textual critics have sought to resolve these difficulties. Building upon the excellent work of Editio Critica Maior 2017 (an update to NA28), this volume tackles these concerns and seeks to improve the text of Acts still further. All data sets were considered (e.g., the Byzantine/mainstream tradition was not ignored). Uniquely, a more primitive form of the “Western” tradition than the one represented by Codex D was used as a basis of comparison. Finally, no regionally authorized ancient formal recensions were assumed.
The book answers the following questions. How can a new text-critical canon, inspired by manuscript 614, help the process? Was Luke the author of two significantly different editions of Acts, e.g., one like Codex B (Alexandrian tradition) and one like Codex D ("Western" tradition)? Which of the three main traditions preserves the most accurate text? How accurate is the Editio Critica Maior? Are there clear and justifiable improvements to be made? Finally, what do the three great textual traditions each contribute toward the goal of best approximating Luke’s original wording?

Key Features

• Examines the three primary textual traditions of the Book of Acts—the Byzantine, Alexandrian, and Western.
• Critiques the 2017 Editio Critica Maior, an update to the NA28, highlighting areas where it may not adequately represent the Byzantine tradition.
• Introduces a novel text-critical canon to guide the reconstruction of Acts.

Contents

• Historic vs. Proposed Use of the Byzantine Text in Textual Criticism
• Establishing the Antiquity and Quality of the Byzantine Text of Acts
• Non-Aligned, Proto-Western Group Readings Are Secondary
• Utilizing an Enhanced Textual Criticism Model
• Conclusion and Further Research

Praise for The Significance of the Byzantine Text for Textual Criticism Within the Book of Acts

The Western text of Acts has long befuddled scholars. This groundbreaking work I suspect will clarify things tremendously. But reader beware: You’ll need to be open to changing your mind about Western readings and Byzantine ones as well. Highly recommended!

——David Black, Senior Professor of New Testament and Greek, Retired, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Product Details

• Title: The Significance of the Byzantine Text for Textual Criticism Within the Book of Acts
• Author: Hassan Aziz Siddiqui
• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Print Publication Date: 2025
• Logos Release Date: 2025
• Pages: 386
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subjects: Textual Criticism; Byzantine text
• ISBNs: 9798385247363, 9798385247356, 9798385247349
• Resource ID: LLS:9798385247363
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2025-10-16T16:53:10Z

About Hassan Aziz Siddiqui

Hassan Aziz Siddiqui is a scholar specializing in New Testament textual criticism, with a particular focus on the Byzantine text-type. His doctoral dissertation, titled The Significance of the Byzantine Text for Textual Criticism Within the Book of Acts, was completed at Princeton Theological Seminary and serves as the foundation for his 2025 monograph published by Wipf and Stock Publishers. 

In his work, Siddiqui examines the textual variations within the Acts of the Apostles, arguing for the Byzantine text's significance in understanding the development of the New Testament text. His research contributes to ongoing discussions in biblical scholarship regarding the reliability and historical context of different manuscript traditions.