Untitled Sermon (1)

Scribes were uncomfortable with the general ending of “all” (πάντων), perhaps thinking it could be construed as including those outside the true church, thus suggesting universal salvation. Therefore, some tried to clarify what John probably had in mind with “all of the saints” (א 2030 051s 𝔐 sy co gig) or substituting “the saints” (א gig), while others inserted “all of us” (2050 pc) or “all of you” (296, Latin versions, Ethiopic, and pseudo-Ambrose). Only A, vg, and Bea have πάντων, but it is to be preferred because it is the shorter and thus more difficult reading. That “all” referred originally to churches gathered to “hear” the word read is apparent from 22:18: “I witness to all who hear (παντὶ τῷ ἀκούοντι) the words of the prophecy of this book” (cf. also 1:3–4).

Some mss. add “amen” at the end of v 21. But if the “amen” were original, it is hard to conceive how it could have been omitted from A 1006 1841 pc a gig vgst Tyc. Copyists added “Amen” because it appears at the end of some other NT epistles and is often found as a secondary scribal emendation at the close of all NT letters (see further on 22:20).