The single eighth century manuscript, published by Muratori in 1740, suffers from barbarous spelling. The English translation and the Latin, both the original of Muratori and the restored reading, are taken from Theron in Evidence of Tradition, pp. 106-113. Underlining represents supralinear strokes, and striked text means that the scribe corrected the letters striked. Since I have not encountered a division into verses, such division is my own.
The Latin text is thought to be based on an earlier Greek text. Only parts of the Latin were selected for retranslation into Greek by Lightfoot (in The Apostolic Fathers, pt. I, vol. 2, pp. 408-411). Lightfoot believes the original Greek is not prose but verse, like the lists of Amphilochius or Gregory Nazianzen. One must have Unicode to view the Greek. Make sure that your browser is using Unicode encoding to display this web page. If you would like to see the page without the Greek, go to the Muratorian Canon in Latin web page.
| Latin (Original) | Latin (Restored) | English (Theron) | Greek (Lightfoot) |
| [1] quibus tamen interfuit et ita posuit. | [1] quibus tamen interfuit et ita posuit. | [1] . . . But he was present among them, and so he put [the facts down in his Gospel.] | |
| tertio euangelii librum secundo lucan [3] lucas iste medicus [4] post ascensum xri. [5] cum eo paulus quasi ut iuris studiosum [6] secundum adsumsisset numeni suo ex opinione concripset [7] dnm tamen nec ipse |
[2] tertium euangelii librum secundum Lucam. [3] Lucas iste medicus [4] post ascensum Christi [5] cum eum Paulus quasi itineris sui socium [6] secum adsumsisset nomine suo ex opinione conscripsit — [7] Dominum tamen nec ipse uidit in carne — [8] et idem prout assequi potuit: [9] ita et a nativitate Iohannis incepit dicere. | [2] The third book of the Gospel [is that] according to Luke. [3] Luke, "the" physician, [4] after the ascension of Christ, [5] when Paul had taken him with him as a companion of his traveling, [6] [and after he had made] an investigation, wrote in his own name — [7] but neither did he see the Lord in the flesh — [8] and thus, as he was able to investigate, [9] so he also begins to tell the story [starting] from the nativity of John. | |
| [10] quarti euangeliorum iohannis ex decipolis [11] cohortantibus condescipulis et eps suis dixit [12] conieiunate mihi. odie triduo [13] et quid cuique fuerit reuelatum alterutrum nobis ennarremus [14] eadem nocte reuelatum andreae ex apostolis ut recogniscentibus cuntis iohannis suo nomine cuncta discriberet | [10] quarti euangeliorum Iohannis ex discipulis. [11] cohortantibus condiscipulis et episcopis suis dixit [12] Conieiunate mihi hodie triduum, [13] et quid cuique fuerit reuelatum alteratrum nobis enarremus. [14] eadem nocte reuelatum Andreae ex apostolis, ut recognoscentibus cunctis, Iohannes suo nomine cuncta describeret. | [10] The fourth [book] of the Gospels is that of John [one] of the disciples. [11] When his fellow-disciples and bishops urged [him], he said: [12] "Fast together with me today for three days [13] and, what shall be revealed to each, let us tell [it] to each other." [14] On that same night it was revealed to Andrew, [one] of the Apostles, that, with all of them reviewing [it], John should describe all things in his own name. | |
| [15] et ideo licit uaria sinculis euangeliorum libris principia doceantur [16] nihil tamen differt credentium fidei [17] cum uno ac principali spu declarate sint in omnibus omnia [18] de natiuitate de passione de resurrectione de conuersatione cum decipulis suis [19] ac de gemino eius aduentu primo in humilitate dispectus quod |
[15] et ideo licet varia singulis euangeliorum libris principia doceantur [16] nihil tamen differt credentium fidei, [17] cum uno ac principali spiritu declarata sint in omnibus omnia [18] de natiuitate, de passione, de resurrectione, de conuersatione cum discipulis suis, [19] et de gemino eius aduentu, primum in humilitate despectus, quod fuit, secundum potestate regali praeclarum, quod futurum est. | [15] And so, although different beginnings might be taught in the separate books of the Gospels, [16] nevertheless it makes no difference to the faith of believers, [17] since all things in all [of them] are declared by the one sovereign Spirit — [18] concering [His] nativity, concering [His] passion, concerning [His] resurrection, concerning [His] walk with His disciples, [19] and concerning His double advent: the first in humility when He was despised, which has been; the second in royal power, glorious, which is to be. | |
| [20] quid ergo mirum si iohannes tam constanter sincula etia in epistulis suis proferam dicens in semeipsu [21] quae uidimus oculis nostris et auribus audiuimus et manus nostrae palpauerunt haec scripsimus uobis [22] sic enim non solum uisurem sed & auditorem sed & scriptore omnium mirabiliu dni per ordinem profetetur | [20] quid ergo mirum, si Iohannes tam constanter singula etiam in epistolis suis proferat dicens in semetipso [21] Quae uidimus oculis nostris, et auribus audiuimus, et manus nostrae palpauerunt, haec scripsimus uobis? [22] Sic enim non solum uisorem, sed et auditorem, sed et scriptorem omnium mirabilium Domini per ordinem profitetur. | [20] What marvel, therefore, if John so constantly brings forward particular [matters] also in his Epistles, saying of himself: [21] "What we have seen with our eyes and have heard with [our] ears and our hands have handled, these things we have written to you." [22] For thus he declares that he was not only an eyewitness and hearer, but also a writer of all the wonderful things of the Lord in order. | [20] λέγων \ ἐς ἑαυτόν· [21] ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἅ θ' ἑωράκαμεν, \ κἀκήκοαμεν τοῖς ὠσίν, αἱ θ' ἡμῶν χέρες \ ἐψηλάφησαν, ὗμιν αὔτ' ἐγράψαμεν. |
| [23] acta aute omniu apostolorum sub uno libro scribta sunt [24] lucas obtime theofile conprindit quia sub praesentia eius singula gerebantur [25] sicut |
[23] Acta autem omnium apostolorum sub uno libro scripta sunt. [24] Lucas "optimo Theophilo" comprehendit, quae sub praesentia eius singula gerebantur, [25] sicut et remote passionem Petri evidenter declarat, [26] sed et profectionem Pauli ab urbe ad Spaniam proficiscentis. | [23] The Acts of all the Apostles, however, were written in one volume. [24] Luke described briefly "for" most excellent Theophilus particular [things], which happened in his presence, [25] as he also evidently relates the death of Peter (?) [26] and also Paul's departure from the city as he was proceeding to Spain. | [23] ἀλλ' ἀποστόλων \ πράξεις ἁπάντων βιβλίον ὑφ' ἓν γεγραμμένας \ [24] Λουκᾶς κρατίστῳ Θεοφίλῳ συλλαμβάνει, \ αὐτοῦ παρόντος ὡς ἕκαστ' ἐπράττετο· \ [25] ὡς καὶ μακράν [γ' ἀπόντος ἡ σιγὴ] πάθος \ Πέτρου προφαίνει [26] κἀκ πόλεως δ' εἰς Σπανίαν \ Παύλου πορείαν ἐκπορευομένου σαφῶς. |
| [27] epistulae autem pauli quae a quo loco uel qua ex causa directe sint uolen |
[27] Epistolae autem Pauli, quae, a quo loco, uel qua ex causa directae sint, uolentibus intelligere ipsae declarant. [28] primum omnium Corinthiis schisma haeresis interdicens, [29] deinceps Galatis circumcisionem, [30] Romanis autem ordine scripturarum, sed et principium earum esse Christum intimans, prolixius scripsit; | [27] The Epistles of Paul themselves, however, show to those, who wish to know, which [they are], from what place, and for what cause they were sent. [28] First of all he wrote to the Corinthians, admonishing against schism of heresy; [29] thereupon to the Galatians [admonishing against] circumcision; [30] to the Romans, however, [he wrote] rather lengthily pointing out with a series of Scripture quotations that Christ is their main theme also (?). | [27] Παύλου δ' ἐπιστολαὶ τίνες, ἐκ τίνος τόπου, \ ἐπεστάλησαν, ἢ ποίας ἐξ αἰτίας, \ δηλοῦσιν αὐταὶ τοῖσι βουλομένοις νοεῖν· \ [28] πρῶτόν γε πάντων αἱρέσεως Κορινθίοις \ σχίσμ' ἀπαγορεύων, [29] εἶτα Γαλάταις περιτομήν, \ [30] γραφῶν δὲ Ῥωμαίοισι τάξιν, ἀλλὰ καὶ \ ἀρχὴν ἐκείνων Χριστὸν ὄντα δεικνύων. |
| [31] de quibus sincolis necesse est ad nobis desputari [32] cum ipse beatus apostolus paulus sequens prodecessuris sui iohannis ordine non nisi nomenati semptae ecclesiis scribat ordine tali [33] a corenthios prima. ad efesius seconda ad philippinses tertia ad colosensis quarta ad calatas quinta ad tensaolenicinsis sexta. ad romanos septima | [31] de quibus singulis necesse est a nobis disputari; [32] cum ipse beatus Apostolus Paulus sequens prodecessoris sui Iohannis ordinem, nonnisi nominatim septem ecclesiis scribat ordine tali: [33] ad Corinthios prima, ad Ephesios secunda, ad Philippenses tertia, ad Colossenses quarta, ad Galatas quinta, ad Thessalonicensibus sexta, ad Romanos septima. | [31] But it is necessary that we have a discussion singly concerning these, [32] since the blessed Apostle Paul himself, imitating the example of his predecessor, John, wrote to seven churches only by name [and] in this order: [33] The first [Epistle] to the Corinthians, the second to the Ephesians, the third to the Philippians, the fourth to the Colossians, the fifth to the Galatians, the sixth to the Thessalonians, and the seventh to the Romans. | |
| [34] uerum corentheis et thesaolecensibus licet pro correbtione iteretur [35] una tamen per omnem orbem terrae ecclesia deffusa esse denoscitur [36] et iohannis eni in apocalebsy licet septe eccleseis scribat tamen omnibus dicit | [34] uerum Corinthiis, et Thessalonicensibus licet pro correptione iteretur, [35] una tamen per omnem orbem terrae ecclesia diffusa esse denoscitur. [36] et Iohannes enim in Apocalypsi licet septem ecclesiis scribat, tamen omnibus dicit. | [34] But, although he wrote twice to the Corinthians and to the Thessalonians, for reproof (?), [35] nevertheless [it is evident that] one Church is made known to be diffused throughout the whole globe of the earth. [36] For John also, though he wrote in the Apocalypse to seven churches, nevertheless he speaks to them all. | |
| [37] ueru ad filemonem una et at titu una et ad tymotheu duas pro affecto et dilectione [38] in honore tamen eclesiae catholice in ordinatione eclesiastice descepline scificate sunt. | [37] uerum ad Philemonem unam, et ad Titum unam, et ad Timotheum duas pro affectu et dilectione; [38] in honore tamen ecclesiae catholicae in ordinatione ecclesiasticae disciplinae sanctificatae sunt. | [37] But he [wrote] one [letter] to Philemon and one to Titus, but two to Timothy for the sake of affection and love. [38] In honor of the General Church, however, they have been sanctified by an ordination of the ecclesiastical discipline. | |
| [39] Fertur etiam ad laudecenses alia ad alexandrinos pauli nomine fincte ad heresem marcionis [40] et alia plura quae in c |
[39] fertur etiam ad Laodicenses, alia ad Alexandrinos, Pauli nomine fictae ad haeresem Marcionis, [40] et alia plura, quae in catholicam ecclesiam recipi non potest; fel enim cum melle misceri non congruit. | [39] There is extant also [an epistle] to the Laodiceans, and another to the Alexandrians, forged in the name of Paul according to the heresy of Marcion. [40] There are also many others which cannot be received in the General Church, for gall cannot be mixed with honey. | [39] φέρεται δὲ καὶ ἡ Λαοδικεῦσιν, ἡ δ' Ἀλαξανδρεῦσιν αὖ, \ πρὸς Μαρκίωνος αἵρεσιν πεπλασμέναι \ ὀνόματι Παύλου· [40] πολλά τ' ἄλλ' ἃ καθολικὴν \ οὐκ ἀναδέχεσθαι δυνατὸν εἰς ἐκκλησίαν· \ οὐ συμφέρει γὰρ μέλιτι μίγνυσθαι χολήν |
| [41] epistola sane iude et superscrictio iohannis duas in catholica habentur [42] et sapientia ab amicis salomonis in honore ipsius scripta [43] apocalapse etiam iohanis et petri tantum recipimus quam quidam ex nostris legi in eclesia nolunt | [41] Epistola san Iudae, et superscriptio Iohannis duas in catholica habentur; [42] et Sapientia ab amicis Salomonis in honorem ipsius scripta. [43] apocalypses etiam Iohannis, et Petri, tantum recipimus, quam quidam ex nostris legi in ecclesia nolunt. | [41] The Epistle of Jude indeed and the two with the superscription "Of John," are accepted in the General [Church] — [42] so also the Wisdom of Solomon written by friends in his honor. [43] We accept only the Apocalypses of John and of Peter, although some of us do not want it to be read in the Church. | |
| [44] pastorem uero nuperrim e |
[44] Pastorem uero nuperrime temporibus nostris in Urbe Roma Hermas conscripsit, sedente cathedra Urbis Romae ecclesiae Pio Episcopo fratre eius; [45] et ideo legi eum quidem oportet, se publicare uero in ecclesia populo, [46] neque inter Prophetas, completum numero, [47] neque inter apostolos, in finem temporum potest. | [44] But Hermas composed The Shepherd quite recently in our times in the city of Rome, while his brother, Pius, the bishop, occupied the [episcopal] seat of the city of Rome. [45] And therefore, it should indeed be read, but it cannot be published for the people in the Church, [46] neither among the Prophets, since their number is complete, [47] nor among the Apostles for it is after their time (?). | [44] τὸν δὲ Ποιμένα \ νεωστὶ καιροῖς ἡμετέροις ἐν τῇ πόλει \ Ῥώμῃ συνέγραψεν ἐπικαθημένου Πίου \ Ἑρμᾶς καθέδραν τῆσδε Ῥωμαίων πόλεως \ ἐκκλησίας ἀδελφὸς ὢν ἐπισκόπου· \ [45] ὥστ' οὖν ἀναγινώσκειν μέν ἐν δ' ἐκκλησίᾳ \ οὐ δημοσιεύεσθαί σφε τῷ λαῷ χρεών· \ [45] οὐδ' ἐν προφήταις δυνατὸν [46] οὐδὲ συντελεῖν \ ἀποστόλων ἐς ἀριθμὸν εἰς τέλος χρόνων, |
| [48] arsinoi autem seu ualentini. uel mitiadis nihil in totum recipemus. [49] qui etiam nouu psalmorum librum marcioni conscripserunt una cum basilide assianom catafry cum constitutorem. . . . | [48] Arsinoi autem, seu Ualentini, uel Mitiadis nihil in totum recipimus. [49] qui etiam nouum Psalmorum librum Marcioni concripserunt una cum Basilide Assianum Catafrygum constitutorem. . . . | [48] But we accept nothing at all of Arsinoes, or Valentinus, or Metiades (?). [49] Those also [are rejected] who composed a new book of Psalms for Marcion together with Basilides and the Cataphrygians of Asia (?) . . . . | [49] . . . τὸν τῶν Ἀσιανῶν κατὰ Φρύγας καταστάτην. . . . |
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Kirby, Peter. "Muratorian Fragment in Greek." Early Christian Writings. <http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/muratorian-greek.html>.
