Did Jesus Save the People out of Egypt? A Re-examination of a Textual Problem in Jude 5

Abstract

AbstractIn Jude 5, the manuscript evidence yields three different subjects [(1) κυριoς, (2) 'Iησoυς, (3) εoς]. The major textual editions, but also the vast majority of English translations, prefer the κυριoς-reading as original. The 'Iησoυς-reading, although acknowledged by many as lectio difficilior, has generally been regarded as too hard. Yet, in light of the textual evidence studied from the standpoint of reasoned eclecticism, the traditional preference of the κυριoς-reading appears to be questionable. An examination of both external and internal evidence suggests that 'Iησoυς should be seriously considered as the original reading in Jude 5. This would argue for the existence of a high Christology (including Christ's pre-existence) within the Epistle of Jude.