We must not ignore the other theory, that all three writers had before them and may have used independently a divergent text of the Septuagint.

Some countenance is given to this by the fact that ten MSS.

of the Septuagint present the same reading [Endnote 281:1].

There can be little doubt however that it was in its origin a Christian correction, which had the double advantage of at once bringing the Greek into closer conformity to the Hebrew, and of also furnishing support to the Christian application of the prophecy.

Whether this correction was made before either the Apocalypse or the Gospel were written, or whether it appeared in these works for the first time and from them was copied into other Christian writings, must remain an open question.
The saying in Apol.i.63, 'so that they are rightly convicted both by the prophetic Spirit and by Christ Himself, that they knew neither the Father nor the Son' ([Greek: oute ton patera oute ton uion egnosan]), certainly presents a close resemblance to John xvi.