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Textual and Exegetical Analysis of Matthew 7:24: The Variant Readings of ὁμοιωθήσεται and ὁμοιώσω αὐτόν
This exegetical study of Matthew 7:24: The Variant Readings of ὁμοιωθήσεται and ὁμοιώσω αὐτόν is based on a critical textual discussion regarding this pericope. The initial textual situation in Matthew 7:24 presents two significant variant readings for the verb: ὁμοιωθήσεται (future passive indicative), found in witnesses such as ℵ B Z Θ Φ 0281 f1.13 33. 892 al ff1 l vg sy-p sa mae; Or Did, and preferred by scholars including Bover, Greeven, Lachmann, Merk, Soden, Tischendorf (8th), and Vogels. In contrast, ὁμοιώσω αὐτόν (future active indicative with object pronoun), is strongly represented by C E G K L M S U V W X Δ Π Σ Ω 047. 0211 Byz f35 565. 1424. 1500. 2224 h k q sy-c.h bo goth; Cyp, and was preferred by Tischendorf (7th), demonstrating a divided scholarly tradition.
The main exegetical issue at stake is the determination of the original verbal form in Matthew 7:24, which significantly impacts the agency and rhetorical force of Jesus’ comparison. The choice between the active “I will liken him” and the passive “he will be likened” dictates whether Jesus directly institutes the comparison or if it is presented as a general consequence or observation. This inquiry requires a thorough application of both external (manuscript evidence) and internal (scribal habits, theological implications, harmonization tendencies) textual criticism criteria, as the two readings offer distinct grammatical and rhetorical nuances that shape the understanding of the pericope.
Greek text (Nestle 1904)
Πᾶς οὖν ὅστις ἀκούει μου τοὺς λόγους τούτους καὶ ποιεῖ αὐτούς, ὁμοιώσω αὐτόν ἀνδρὶ φρονίμῳ, ὅστις ᾠκοδόμησεν αὐτοῦ τὴν οἰκίαν ἐπὶ τὴν πέτραν·
Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):
- The SBLGNT (2010) edition concurs with the Nestle 1904 text, reading ὁμοιώσω αὐτόν.
- The variant reading ὁμοιωθήσεται, while attested in several significant manuscripts, is not adopted by the SBLGNT (2010) as its preferred text.
Textual Criticism (NA28), Lexical Notes (KITTEL, BDAG):
The textual critical discussion surrounding Matthew 7:24 primarily concerns the verb ὁμοιόω (homoioō), meaning “to make like, liken, compare.” In its active form (ὁμοιώσω αὐτόν), it implies an agent actively performing the comparison (“I will liken him”). In its passive form (ὁμοιωθήσεται), it signifies that the subject is the recipient of the action (“he will be likened”). BDAG defines ὁμοιόω as “to make like,” often used in parables and comparisons. KITTEL’s TDNT highlights its theological significance in the Septuagint and New Testament, often linking human beings to divine attributes or exemplary figures. The choice between active and passive here significantly influences whether Christ himself is the active agent making the comparison, or if the comparison is more generally observed or passively received.
Metzger (TCGNT [2d ed.], 17) argues that “the passive verb . . . is more likely to have been altered to the active form . . . than vice versa, especially if the copyist recalled the Lukan form of the saying.” However, this internal argument for ὁμοιωθήσεται is unconvincing for several reasons:
- First, the expression in Luke 6:47 (ὑποδείξω ὑμῖν τίνι ἐστὶν ὅμοιος· ὅμοιός ἐστιν ἀνθρώπῳ . . .) is entirely different from the simple ὁμοιώσω αὐτον ἀνδρί seen here in Matthew 7:24, differing in verb, syntax, and additional words. Thus, harmonization with Luke is unlikely to be the cause of the Matthean active reading.
- Second, the passive ὁμοιωθήσεται harmonizes precisely with the wording two verses later in Matthew 7:26, “ὁμοιωθήσεται ἀνδρὶ μωρῷ” (he will be likened to a foolish man). For this reason, scholars such as Mill (Prolegomena, §889), Bengel (Apparatus, 111), Wettstein (1:345), and Alford (1:74) rejected the passive reading in 7:24, viewing it as an assimilation.
- Third, the nominative absolute construction of πᾶς οὖν ὅστις . . . (“whoever then…”), if the consensus reading ὁμοιώσω αὐτόν is original, is a less common grammatical structure. This would have been more perturbing to a scribe than the same nominative clause acting as the subject of the passive verb ὁμοιωθήσεται. Fritzsche (299) comments that “The reading ὁμοιωθήσεται, as is written in v. 26, was without doubt advanced by those who either did not understand [linguistically] or had too little tolerance for the joining together of πᾶς ὅστις ἀκούει [with ὁμοιώσω αὐτόν].” Kühnöl (223) offers a similar observation, noting that the nominative absolute construction “was placed in the absolute case [or construction] after the manner of the Hebrews, and accordingly ὁμοιωθήσεται should not, along with some, be repeated from v. 26 in place of ὁμοιώσω.” This suggests ὁμοιώσω αὐτόν is the *lectio difficilior*, more likely to be original.
- Fourth, Bloomfield (GNT, 1:55) mentions that Matthew’s usage of ὁμοιώσω is confirmed in 11:16. He further suggests that ὁμοιωθήσεται in 7:24 seems to be a conformation to 7:26 by a critic or a gloss of a scholiast. Paraphrasing Bishop John Jebb, Bloomfield highlights a potential theological distinction: “the distinction here between ὁμοιώσω and ὁμοιωθήσ[εται] was studiously designed; for when the fruitful hearer is to be characterized, our Lord himself institutes the comparison: when the foolish and unprofitable hearer, it is otherwise managed; the comparison is then matter of common fame—he shall be likened to, as though he were unworthy of Christ’s own personal attention.” This rhetorical insight strongly favors the active voice for the wise builder.
- Fifth, Zahn (321) identifies ὁμοιώσω αὐτόν as “the more widespread reading and earlier verifiable [reading] among the Latins as well as the Syriac.” He notes that while ὁμοιωθήσεται in 7:24 appears to be an assimilation to 7:26 in several textual traditions (ℵ B Z Φ f13, Sahidic, Armenian, Syriac-Palestinian & margin of -Harclean, younger Latins a b c Vulgate), ὁμοιώσω αὐτόν is attested by older and diverse witnesses (C E G Δ Π Σ, Syriac-Curetonian, -Peshitta, & -Harclean, the oldest Latin k, Cyprian, Lucifer, Hilary, Coptic, Gothic), reinforcing its originality.
- Lastly, Cyprian’s support for the consensus reading ὁμοιώσω αὐτόν stands in contrast to Origen, whose citation of 7:24 in De principiis 3.1.6 demonstrates his own tendency towards harmonization. Origen’s text of 7:24 harmonizes with 7:26 by reading ὁ ἀκούων μου τοὺς λόγους τούτους καὶ ποιῶν αὐτοὺς ὁμοιωθήσεται ἀνδρὶ φρονίμῳ, ὅστις ᾠκοδόμησεν . . . , whereas Matthew 7:24 originally has ὅστις ἀκούει . . . ποιεῖ and the preferred ὁμοιώσω αὐτόν. This suggests that Origen, or the manuscripts he used, readily assimilated 7:24 to 7:26, providing further evidence that ὁμοιωθήσεται is a secondary reading in 7:24.
Translation Variants with Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis
The choice between ὁμοιωθήσεται (passive) and ὁμοιώσω αὐτόν (active) carries significant grammatical and rhetorical implications. Grammatically, the passive form, “he will be likened,” makes the hearer the subject of the passive verb, implying a comparison made by an unspecified agent or by common observation. This creates a more detached and general statement. In contrast, the active form, “I will liken him,” explicitly positions Jesus as the active agent performing the comparison, identifying himself as the one who makes the judgment. This reading aligns with the 1st person singular active future indicative, where the subject is clearly “I” (Jesus).
Rhetorically, the active voice (ὁμοιώσω αὐτόν) imbues the statement with greater authority and personal investment from Jesus. It suggests that Jesus himself is directly making the comparison for the faithful hearer, highlighting his commendation and approval. This aligns with the argument put forth by Bloomfield, suggesting a deliberate rhetorical design where Christ personally likens the wise, while the foolish are merely “likened” by a general societal understanding or consequence. The more difficult nominative absolute construction with the active voice (πᾶς οὖν ὅστις . . . ὁμοιώσω αὐτόν) further supports its originality, as scribes would be more inclined to simplify such a structure, for example, by substituting it with a more straightforward passive construction that directly follows the subject.
Conclusions and Translation Suggestions
Based on the strong external support, the compelling internal arguments favoring lectio difficilior, the documented harmonization tendencies evident in manuscript transmission, and the nuanced rhetorical distinction, the reading ὁμοιώσω αὐτόν is overwhelmingly preferred as the original text of Matthew 7:24. This reading emphasizes Jesus’ direct agency and authority in establishing the comparison.
Below are three translation suggestions for Matthew 7:24, reflecting the conclusions drawn from this exegetical study:
- Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
This translation prioritizes a literal rendering of the preferred active voice, highlighting Jesus’ personal agency. - So then, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice—I myself will compare him to a wise man who built his house on solid rock.
This option emphasizes the “I myself” to underscore Jesus’ personal and authoritative role in the comparison, while maintaining a clear and idiomatic English expression. - Consequently, whoever hears these teachings of mine and acts upon them, I shall declare him like a prudent man who founded his dwelling upon bedrock.
This more interpretive translation uses “I shall declare him” to capture the authoritative act of comparison by Jesus, and “prudent” and “dwelling upon bedrock” for a slightly richer vocabulary while maintaining the core meaning.
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