Exploring the Differences Between Morton Smith's 1958 Translation and Tselikas: A Scholarly Analysis

In the world of ancient manuscript studies, subtle differences in translations can lead to significant debates among scholars. One such debate revolves around Morton Smith's translations of the Secret Gospel of Mark, particularly the variations between his 1958 and 1973 translations, and how these compare with the readings proposed by Tselikas. This blog post delves into these differences, exploring the implications of each variation and the scholarly discourse that surrounds them.

Key Differences and Scholarly Positions

Let's examine some of the notable differences identified by scholars between Smith's translations and Tselikas's readings:

1. ἐπιστοµίσας vs. ἐπιστοµίσαι:

   • Smith (1958, 1973) and PV: ἐπιστοµίσας
   • Tselikas: ἐπιστοµίσαι
   • This variation hinges on the form of the verb, with Smith's and PV's translations using a different tense or aspect than Tselikas's.

2. λέγουσι vs. λέγουσιν:

   • Smith (1958, 1973) and PV: λέγουσι
   • Tselikas: λέγουσιν
   • The difference here is minor but significant, involving the presence or absence of the final nu (ν), which can affect the interpretation of the text's grammatical structure.

3. τι vs. το:

   • Smith (1958, 1973) and PV: τι
   • Tselikas: το
   • This change affects the meaning of the noun, with "τι" (something) versus "το" (the).

4. ταταυτοῦ vs. τα ταυτοῦ:

   • Smith and PV: ταταυτοῦ
   • Tselikas: τα ταυτοῦ
   • The distinction here lies in the separation of words, which can influence the reading and understanding of the passage.

5. ἑπτάκις vs. ἐπτάκις:

   • Tselikas: ἑπτάκις
   • PV: ἐπτάκις
   • Smith's position on this changed between 1958 and 1973, aligning with PV's reading in 1973. This highlights Smith's evolving interpretation.

6. και vs. καὶ:

   • PV: και
   • Tselikas: καὶ
   • This minor orthographic difference shows the varying attention to diacritical marks.

Unnoticed Variations and Scholarly Insights

• βλασφημὸν vs. βλάσφημον:

  • Tselikas: βλασφημὸν
  • Smith (1958, 1973): βλάσφημον
  • This variation, unnoticed by some scholars like Adam, Paananen, and Viklund, is critical. Tselikas's correction here points to a more accurate reading.

• δόξαν vs. δόξα:

  • PV and Smith: δόξαν
  • Tselikas: δόξα
  • Tselikas's correction aligns with the expected grammatical form, lending credibility to his interpretation.

Smith's Evolution in Translation

Morton Smith's changes between his 1958 and 1973 translations demonstrate his ongoing engagement with the text:

• Ἱεριχώ vs. Ἱεριχὼ:

  • 1958: Ἱεριχώ
  • 1973: Ἱεριχὼ
  • This change reflects a shift in understanding the proper noun's orthography.

• ἑπτάκις vs. ἐπτάκις:

  • 1958: ἑπτάκις (noted with "sic")
  • 1973: ἐπτάκις
  • Smith's correction indicates a reconsideration of the text's original reading.

• βλάσφημον to βλασφημὸν:

  • Smith corrected his 1958 reading in 1973, aligning with Tselikas's interpretation.

• Ἰεροσόλυµα vs. Ἱεροσόλυµα:

  • 1958: Ἱεροσόλυµα
  • 1973: Ἰεροσόλυµα
  • This shift shows Smith's attention to the textual nuances over time.

The Craft of Forgery and Scholarship

Secret Alias, a forum member, highlights the intriguing notion that Smith's meticulous changes over time could be seen as the work of a "crafty forger." The idea that Smith appeared to be refining his translation up to the publication in 1973 suggests a deep engagement with the text, whether genuine scholarship or calculated forgery.

Conclusion

The differences between Morton Smith's 1958 and 1973 translations and Tselikas's readings offer a fascinating glimpse into the complexities of manuscript studies. Each variation, no matter how small, contributes to our understanding of the Secret Gospel of Mark and the meticulous work of scholars in interpreting ancient texts. Whether Smith's changes reflect genuine scholarly evolution or something more deceptive remains a topic of debate, underscoring the intricate dance between forgery and genuine discovery in the world of historical manuscripts.