Manuscript Comparison

Compare the Textus Receptus (KJV) with the Alexandrian manuscripts used by modern translations.

א

Codex Sinaiticus

c. 330-360 AD

One of the oldest complete manuscripts of the Greek Bible. Discovered by Tischendorf at Saint Catherine's Monastery, Sinai, in 1844-1859.

Type Uncial
Text Family Alexandrian
Material Parchment
Location British Library, London

Notable Features

  • Missing Mark 16:9-20 (Longer Ending of Mark)
  • Missing John 7:53-8:11 (Pericope Adulterae)
  • Contains Epistle of Barnabas and Shepherd of Hermas
  • Over 23,000 corrections by multiple scribes
View Digital Manuscript
B

Codex Vaticanus

c. 300-325 AD

Possibly the oldest extant manuscript of the Greek Bible. Has been in the Vatican Library since at least 1475.

Type Uncial
Text Family Alexandrian
Material Parchment
Location Vatican Library, Rome

Notable Features

  • Missing Mark 16:9-20
  • Missing John 7:53-8:11
  • Breaks off at Hebrews 9:14 (rest is lost)
  • Missing Pastoral Epistles, Philemon, Revelation
  • Contains blank column where Mark 16:9-20 would be (scribe aware of its existence)
TR

Textus Receptus

1516-1633

The Greek text behind the KJV and other Reformation-era translations. Based on the Byzantine manuscript tradition representing the vast majority of extant manuscripts.

Type Printed Greek Text
Text Family Byzantine/Majority
Material Paper (printed)
Location Various (Erasmus compiled)

Notable Features

  • Includes Mark 16:9-20
  • Includes John 7:53-8:11
  • Includes 1 John 5:7 (Comma Johanneum)
  • Based on Byzantine/Majority text tradition
  • Foundation of KJV New Testament