As soon as the New Testament Church began to grow, men tried to insert their own ideas. The Apostle Paul warned of this in Acts 20:29-30:

“For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

There was a group known as the Gnostics. This name comes from their claim to “special knowledge,” and is based on the Greek word for knowledge, gnosis. Some of their special knowledge is called Arianism, which denies that the Lord Jesus was God. Arianism states that Jesus was created, and is not eternal.

Alexandria, Egypt was the seat of Gnosticism. It was from Alexandria that we have received questionable books such as The Gospel of Judas and The Gospel of Mary.

I point this out because many of the omissions of the Hort and Westcott Greek text, or the Nestle Greek, or the Nestle Aland text, upon which most “modern” translations are based, follow and further Arianism or other Gnostic doctrines. Here are some examples of this subtle deceit:
(KJV=1611 King James Version, NIV=New International Version)

Matthew 8:29
“And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? . . . – KJV
“What do you want with us, Son of God?” . . .” – NIV

The “modern” versions leave out “Jesus,” and therefore, the statement that He is the Son of God.

Luke 23:42
“And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. – KJV
“Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. – NIV

The “modern” versions leave “Lord” out of the statement of the thief on the cross, and eliminate the concept that Jesus is Lord.

John 4:42
“ . . . (we) know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. - KJV
“ . . . we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” - NIV

The “modern” versions leave out Christ (Messiah, Anointed One) and simply state that this man is the savior.

The same omission is made when the Philippian jailer asked what he must do to be saved.

Acts 16:31
“ . . . Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. – KJV
“ . . . Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” – NIV

The “modern” versions again leave out Christ (Messiah, Anointed One) which indicates He was the One sent by God. The title “Lord” could be a title of honor, not divinity. This change lowers Jesus to Sir Jesus, or Mr. Jesus and deletes His divinity.

A further effort to distance Jesus from God His father is found in Luke 2:33.
“And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. – KJV
“The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. – NIV

Joseph was not the father of Jesus. A few verses later Mary and Joseph lost track of Jesus while returning from Jerusalem. Jesus stayed behind, “and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.” (Luke 2:43 – KJV) This Scripture notes, again, that Joseph was not the father of Jesus. The “modern” texts say, “His parents did not know it.”

The number of words and verses omitted from the Hort and Westcott Greek New Testament text is the equivalent of the books of First and Second Peter. That appears to be a wholesale deletion from the Word of God. I urge you to study this matter and decide for yourself. Your understanding of Scripture could be affected.

Praise the Lord for His wonderful mercy and grace!