John has 1737
and the whole of the four Evangelists 9218, which differs slightly from the total formed by addition, which, as the figures stand, is 9017.
“On comparing the table with the numbers given by Scrivener from Greek MSS., viz.
Matt. = 2522 ῥήματα
Mark = 1675
Luke = 3803
John = 1938
we see at a glance that we are dealing with the same system; Luke should evidently have 3083, the Greek number being evidently an excessive one; and if we assume that John should be 1938 the total amounts exactly to the 9218 given for the four Gospels.
“This is very curious, and since the ῥήματα are now proved to be rightly equated to ܦܬܓܡܐ (or ܐܡܓܬܦ), and this latter word is a proper word to describe a verse or στίχος, the ῥήματα appear to be a translation of a Syriac table.
“Perhaps we may get some further idea about the character of the verses in question by turning to the Sinai list, which is not confined to the Gospels, but ranges through the whole of the Old and New Testaments.