Samenvatting
Does καθ’ ἡμέραν belong to the call to bear one’s cross in Luke 9:23? While many believe the case is closed, this short article proposes reconsidering it. While there is certainly a textual basis for καθ’ ἡμέραν, the evidence, except ????75, is from the fourth century or later. However, recent research by Brent Nongbri has criticized the early dating of ????75 (175–225 CE), making a case that the fourth century might also be possible. This later date coheres with all other witnesses to the phrase, including the Latin and Coptic versions. That, together with the other Greek manuscripts, seems to suggest that καθ’ ἡμέραν appeared in the late third century, provided that we follow Nongbri’s suggestion. This study demonstrates the implications of how dating papyri can influence exegesis, as the concept of “daily cross-bearing” has had a profound impact on scholarship and the beliefs of Christians throughout the ages.
