In the following chronicle an attempt is made to survey recent research on the ancient versions of the New Testament. By recent is meant publications which appeared during the five-year period from 1950 to 1954. Under the rubric ancient versions are included the following versions which were made during the first millennium of the Christian era: the Latin, Syriac, Coptic, Gothic, Armenian, Old Georgian, Ethiopic, Arabic, Sogdian and Old Slavic versions. In some cases it was difficult to discriminate between studies dealing with patristic authors and their Scriptural text, and studies dealing with the early versions per se. In most of such cases it was thought wise to follow an inclusive policy and to make some reference to the patristic study.

Die Leidensgeschichte bei Matthus ist ein geeigneter Ausgangspunkt fr eine Diskussion ber synoptische Fragen und Probleme der Evangelienforschung. Das ist sie zunchst deshalb, weil das literarkritische Verhltnis hier besonders klar zu Tage liegt. Die Matthus-Passion steht der Markus-Passion sehr nahe. Alle Episoden des Markus-Berichtes finden sich auch bei Matthus, es fehlen nur ein paar kurze Notizen (Mark. xiv. 51 f.; xv. 21 b) und dazu einige ausmalende Einzelheiten (Mark. xiv. 34, 7, 1215, 40, 569, 67; xv. 7, 445; xvi. 15) Noch bemerkenswerter ist, da die Ordnung und Reihenfolge innerhalb der Passionsgeschichte bei Matthus und Markus ohne Ausnahme dieselbe ist. In groem Umfange finden sich wrtliche oder beinahe wrtliche bereinstimmungen. Ein Vergleich mit Lukas und Johannes lt sofort erkennen, wie nahe Matthus and Markus zusammengehren. Bei ihnen liegen zwei Varianten eines and desselben Berichtes vor.

Most recent writers have seen in a reference to the mercy-seat, and, since this was in normal use only on the Day of Atonement, have concluded that Rom. iii. 25 must be interpreted in terms of the ceremonies of that day. But it seems to the present writer that there is much to be said for the idea which was vigorously upheld in earlier days, and still has some protagonists, that the word is not so specific, and is to be understood as something like means of propitiation.