Red letter edition
Encyclopedia
The term red letter edition is used to describe Bible
s in which words spoken by Jesus
, commonly only while he was on the Earth, are printed in red ink. This is not to be confused with the Red-Letter Christian
movement, which has used this term to emphasize the teachings of Jesus in the Bible, particularly in regards to social justice.
The red letter edition was invented by Louis Klopsch, then editor of The Christian Herald magazine in 1899, and first published in 1900. This style of Bible instantly became popular, and is sometimes favored by mainly Protestant Christians in the United States
. Especially in King James Bibles, this format can be useful as quotation marks are not used.
Klopsch's idea of printing the words of Jesus in red originated in Luke
22:20, which says: This cup is the new testament in my blood, which I shed for you. This inspired Klopsch to ask his mentor what he thought of printing the words spoken by Jesus in red, to which he replied, "It could do no harm and it most certainly could do much good."
Because the original texts do not include quotation marks, it is often up to interpretation as to what words were spoken by Jesus, compared to explanatory text following. For example, a footnote in the New International Version for John 3:21 explains "Some interpreters end the quotation after verse 15." Thus, red-lettering may not match the quote marks, and may vary from edition to edition. In addition, some publishers have chosen to print the words spoken by Jesus after his Ascension (for example in the words spoken to Saul on the road to Damascus in Acts 9, as well as words spoken to the Apostle John in Revelation 1-3).
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
s in which words spoken by Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
, commonly only while he was on the Earth, are printed in red ink. This is not to be confused with the Red-Letter Christian
Red-Letter Christian
Red-Letter Christians constitute a movement within Christianity. They believe that Evangelicalism has been exploited by both right-wing and left-wing political movements, and they endeavor to create an Evangelical movement that focuses on the teachings of Jesus Christ, particularly in regard to...
movement, which has used this term to emphasize the teachings of Jesus in the Bible, particularly in regards to social justice.
The red letter edition was invented by Louis Klopsch, then editor of The Christian Herald magazine in 1899, and first published in 1900. This style of Bible instantly became popular, and is sometimes favored by mainly Protestant Christians in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Especially in King James Bibles, this format can be useful as quotation marks are not used.
Klopsch's idea of printing the words of Jesus in red originated in Luke
Gospel of Luke
The Gospel According to Luke , commonly shortened to the Gospel of Luke or simply Luke, is the third and longest of the four canonical Gospels. This synoptic gospel is an account of the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. It details his story from the events of his birth to his Ascension.The...
22:20, which says: This cup is the new testament in my blood, which I shed for you. This inspired Klopsch to ask his mentor what he thought of printing the words spoken by Jesus in red, to which he replied, "It could do no harm and it most certainly could do much good."
Because the original texts do not include quotation marks, it is often up to interpretation as to what words were spoken by Jesus, compared to explanatory text following. For example, a footnote in the New International Version for John 3:21 explains "Some interpreters end the quotation after verse 15." Thus, red-lettering may not match the quote marks, and may vary from edition to edition. In addition, some publishers have chosen to print the words spoken by Jesus after his Ascension (for example in the words spoken to Saul on the road to Damascus in Acts 9, as well as words spoken to the Apostle John in Revelation 1-3).
External links
- The New Testament (Red Letter Edition) Is in the Religion Section at The e.Lib (King James Version).