Matthew – verses that should not be there

Matthew 16:3 and Matthew 17:21 and Matthew 18:11 and Matthew 23:14 all appear to be later additions to the original writing. They do not fit into the numeric structure.

Certain English Bible translations include Matthew 16:3 and some do so with a footnote stating that the words are not found in early manuscripts.

Most English Bible translations exclude Matthew 17:21 and Matthew 18:11 and Matthew 23:14.

Matthew 16:2b-3 (NKJV)

(2b) “… When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the heavens are red’; (3) and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the heavens are red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.”

Matthew 17:21 (NKJV)

“However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

Matthew 18:11 (NKJV)

“For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.”

In any case, the same words are found in Luke 19:10.

Matthew 23:14 (NKJV)

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.”

This admonition is found anyway at Luke 20:47.