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Analysis of m. Aboth 3.16-17 refutes E.P. Sanders' views in 'Paul and Palestinian Judaism', which states that early rabbinic soteriology on works-righteousness is wholly based upon pseudo-scholarship. On the contrary, the soteriology has a legalistic foundation and is acknowledged by older rabbis such as Gamaliel II and R. Akiba. Gamaliel agrees with Paul's statement in Gal 3.10 regarding the divine standard of justice, while Akiba acknowledges the obvious tension between God's tolerance of minor sins and his goodness.

Since other evidence strongly suggests that the omission of Matt 16:2b–3 is the result of multiple emergence, this variant unit serves as a helpful case study to evaluate the usefulness of pre-genealogical coherence for detecting multiple emergence of a reading, an important premise of the Coherence-Based Genealogical Method (CBGM). This article adapts the Wasserman–Gurry method of assessing pre-genealogical coherence in the Synoptic Gospels (for which full collation of the relevant witnesses is presently lacking) in several ways to approximate more closely the approach used in the CBGM. It also attempts to refine the data generated by the Parallel Pericopes: Manuscript Clusters tool of the INTF at certain points. The study confirms that the assessment of pre-genealogical coherence is useful in detecting multiple emergence, coincidental agreement and contamination even based on the limited data in the Parallel Pericopes volume of the Editio Critica Maior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey of the current state of research shows that scholars are at an impasse regarding the text of Matt 16.2b–3. A fresh application of reasoned eclecticism to the unit uncovers new evidence supporting the longer reading. A reappraisal of the Greek manuscripts, early versions and early Christian literature shows that the longer and shorter readings are of approximately equal antiquity as far as can be established from presently available evidence. Analysis of the Eusebian apparatus strongly suggests that the shorter reading was often the result of intentional scribal change. Of the various explanations for such change, the most persuasive view is that proposed by Scrivener, Tregelles and Weiss – the shorter reading was probably an assimilation to Matt 12.39. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]