Exploring a Variant Beginning to the Marcionite Gospel in Adamantius

In the study of early Christian texts, variants in gospel accounts offer critical insights into the theological and historical contexts of early Christian communities. One such intriguing variant is found in the Dialogue on the True Faith, as noted by Pretty on page 79, where Marcus the Marcionite refers to a different beginning of the Marcionite Gospel.

The Variant Text

Marcus the Marcionite states:

"As it says in the Gospel: in the reign of Tiberius Caesar, at the time of Pilate."

Following this, a line attributed to Adamantius reads:

"He descended in the six thousandth year after the Creator God had formed man."

Analyzing the Textual Variants

This variant is significant for several reasons:

1. Chronological Placement: The reference to the "six thousandth year" after creation is unusual. Traditional orthodox chronologies do not place Jesus' descent in this timeframe, suggesting that this line might have originally belonged to the Marcionite gospel. The Marcionite chronology possibly had different theological implications, viewing the descent of Jesus in a distinct eschatological framework.

2. Orthodox Corruption Hypothesis: The suggestion that the line has been moved from the Marcionite to the orthodox Adamantius implies a process of textual corruption. This movement could reflect efforts by orthodox editors to align or discredit Marcionite chronology by integrating it into their own narratives, albeit awkwardly.

3. Absence in Canonical Luke: Pretty does not identify the initial reference ("in the reign of Tiberius Caesar, at the time of Pilate") as a citation from Luke. While Luke 3:1 does begin with a similar phrase, the context and continuation in the Marcionite text differ, emphasizing a distinct theological perspective.

Theological Implications

The Marcionite gospel, as interpreted through this variant beginning, might emphasize a dualistic worldview, differentiating the Creator God from the God revealed in Jesus Christ. The "six thousandth year" could symbolize the culmination of an era, marking a divine intervention distinct from the creation narrative.

Comparison with Jacob of Sarug

Interestingly, this variant aligns more closely with Jacob of Sarug's understanding of a descent into Judea, particularly the area between Jericho and Jerusalem. Jacob of Sarug, a 5th-6th century Syriac poet and theologian, often depicted Christ's descent in a manner rich with symbolic and geographical references, contrasting the Marcionite emphasis on distinct divine actions and timelines.

Conclusion

The variant beginning to the Marcionite gospel, as highlighted in the Dialogue on the True Faith, offers a fascinating glimpse into the textual and theological diversity of early Christianity. This line's displacement from a Marcionite to an orthodox context underscores the dynamic and contested nature of early Christian scriptural interpretation. By examining such variants, scholars can better understand the theological debates and textual transmissions that shaped the development of early Christian doctrine.

For those interested in exploring further, Pretty's detailed analysis on page 79 of the Dialogue on the True Faith provides an essential resource for understanding these complex textual interactions.