While I have my doubts over the applicability of text critical principles
to a source critical problem, because the Evangelists were more than mere
copyists, this example clearly shows how the critical text is superior to
the Byzantine text because it exhibits the harder reading. In addition,
it seems probable that the text of Mark would assimilate to the more
popular Matthew:
Mk 6:43 KAI HRAN KLASMATA DWDEKA KOFINWN PLHRWMATA (NA)
Mk 6:43 KAI HRAN KLASMATWN DWDEKA KOFINOUS PLHREIS (Byz)
Mt14:20 KAI HRAN TO PERISSEUON TWN KLASMATWN DWDEKA KOFINOUS PLHREIS (Both)
Stephen Carlson
-- Stephen C. Carlson : Poetry speaks of aspirations, scarlson@mindspring.com : and songs chant the words. http://www.mindspring.com/~scarlson/ : -- Shujing 2.35