A Textual Commentary On The Greek NT

Matthew 10:4

The textual problems of the name Iscariot are connected with its meaning. According to most scholars VIskariw,thj $VIskariw,q% is derived from the Hebrew tAYrIq. vyai, “a man from Kerioth.” In support of this derivation is the variant reading avpo. Karuw,tou ( John 6:71 a* Q ¦¹³ syr^{h^{mg, gr}}; John 12:4 D; John 13:2 D it^e; John 14:22 D). Other scholars, starting with the form Skariw,thj (which is the reading of D here; Matthew 26:14; Mark 14:10), have proposed a wide variety of possible (and impossible) derivations, including words meaning a leathern girdle or apron, a bandit or assassin, a liar or traitor, and a man of ruddy complexion. ¹⁹ The problem is further complicated by variant readings in John 6:71 and John 13:26, where several good witnesses attach the epithet to the father of Judas.

In the present passage the Committee was impressed by the age and diversity of text-type of the Greek witnesses supporting a form of the name with initial iota, and preferred VIskariw,thj, which is supported by the preponderant weight of evidence.

¹⁹ For information concerning these theories see, e.g., Roman B. Halas, Judas Iscariot, a Scriptural and Theological Study of his Person, his Deeds and his Eternal Lot (Washington, 1946), pp. 10—38, Harald Ingholt, “The Surname of Judas Iscariot,” in Studia Orientalia Ioanni Pedersen … dicata (Copenhagen, 1953), pp. 152—162, and Lawrence Besserman, “Judas Iscariot,” Dictionary of Biblical Tradition in English Literature, ed. by D. L. Jeffrey (1992), pp. 418—420.

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A Textual Commentary On The Greek NT

Matthew 10:4

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