The Fourfold Gospel by J. W. McGarvey and Philip Y. Pendleton, was published in book form in 1914 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati; it was first issued quarterly in 1905 as Standard Bible Commentary. The expanded electronic version has been transcribed from a copy of the 1914 edition. The electronic text was released into the public domain in 1993 as note files for the Online Bible. Archives of the files are available at the Bible Foundation e-Texts Library.

      This electronic version is designated as an "Expanded Edition" because of the addition of some 762 Scripture references and cross-references to the original text. In transcribing this book, every effort has been made to transmit the text as accurately as possible. However, certain changes have been introduced to enhance the readability of the work, improve the accuracy of references, and to some extent normalize the text: (1) Errors and inconsistencies in numbering, spelling, punctuation, and Scripture references have been corrected. (2) Bible chapter numbers in the printed text are in lower case roman letters; these have been changed to the OnLine Bible format. Where the reference is identified as, say, "verse 6" or "ch. iii. 6," the Bible book name has been inserted for a full citation. All Scripture references and cross references have been set in italics. (3) Scripture references have been supplied for quotations, allusions, and historical events when not provided in The Fourfold Gospel. Loeb numbers have been supplied when Josephus and other ancient writers have been quoted without such references. These have been rendered in arabic numbers. (4) Cross references to commentary in the printed text are by page number; in this edition, Bible book, chapter, and verse have been used instead. Here the cross references have been expanded to include most occurrences of words and phrases explained in the text (for instance, "synagogue," "Verily, verily," "fear not," and so forth). (5) In the printed text the Gospels are identified by superior letters; here they are referenced by letters within parentheses. This allows the reader to easily identify this text as the expanded edition. (7) Abbreviations have been eschewed. For example, McGarvey and Pendleton use both the abbreviation "comp." and "compare" in references; here the latter has been preferred. English equivalents are provided for most foreign language abbreviations ("for example" for e. g.; "namely" for viz., "that is" for i. e. and so forth). Full titles have been provided for abbreviations of works cited (for instance, The Antiquities of the Jews, instead of Ant.). (8) A few footnotes have been added in this edition. These are signed "Ed." (9) Page numbers of the printed text are given in brackets following the last complete word on a page. The pages that comprise each of the sections are provided at the end of each section. (10) Corrections have been offered for typographical errors in 183 places. All these alterations--additions and corrections--are detailed in the Addenda and Corrigenda section. The Scripture references (converted to OnLine Bible format) are not given in this critical apparatus since their number is overwhelming.

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
373 Wilson Street
Derry, PA 15627-9770
(412) 694-8602
stefanik@westol.com

Created 12 July 1996.
Updated 10 October 1997.