Codex Vaticanus

The codex is a handwritten book made of leaves bound along one side, a forerunner of the modern book. Appearing in the 1st century AD, it was widely adopted by the early Christians to transmit the Scriptures. More practical and durable than the scroll, it promoted the spread of religious and literary texts. Among the most famous examples are the Codex Sinaiticus, the Codex Vaticanus and the Codex Alexandrinus, manuscripts essential for the textual criticism of the Bible.

Level: Easy Audience: Beginners

The Codex Vaticanus, dated between AD 300 and 325, is one of the oldest complete biblical manuscripts in Greek. Held in the Vatican Apostolic Library in Rome, it contains the Old and New Testaments, as well as the Epistle of Barnabas and the Shepherd of Hermas. Of the Alexandrian type, it is very close to the original texts and is a major reference for textual criticism. Digitized in 2019, it is now accessible online to all researchers.

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

The Textus Receptus is a compilation of the Greek text of the New Testament first published by Erasmus in 1516. Revised by Estienne, Beza and the Elzevir brothers, it served as the basis for major translations such as the King James Bible and Luther's Bible. In the 19th century, the discovery of older manuscripts such as Codex Sinaiticus revealed its limitations. Modern critical editions (Nestle-Aland, UBS) have since replaced it, although it remains an essential historical reference.

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate