In this clip I explain for laymen what textual criticism is about (in Swedish with Norwegian subtitles), referring to the example of a textual problem in Matt 27:16-17 concerning the name of the prisoner to be released (it occurs twice in vv. 16–17).
Was it ”Jesus Barabbas” or just ”Barabbas”? Here is a brief overview of the textual evidence in v. 17:
- Ἰησοῦν τὸν Βαραββᾶν – ƒ1 sys; Ormss
- Ἰησοῦν Βαραββᾶν –Θ (⸉ 579) . 700*. ℓ 844; Orlat
- τὸν Βαραββᾶν – B; Or
- Βαραββᾶν – ℵ A D K L W Γ Δ ƒ13 33. 565. 700c. 892. 1241. 1424 𝔐 latt co; (Orlat mss)
In this case, I personally prefer Ἰησοῦν τὸν Βαραββᾶν in spite of slim (but early) support, since it is clearly the lectio difficilior – as also evident from Origen's comment on this textual problem, the name "Jesus Barabbas" was offensive for some readers, including Origen, in Antiquity.
Co-blogger Dirk Jongkind discusses this problem and comes to a different conclusion here.
Regardless of your preference, I think it is a good example to refer to when explaining what New Testament textual criticism (and reception history) is about.