3 Nephi 20:3–5 Textual Variants

Royal Skousen
and it came to pass that he brake bread again and blessed it and gave to the disciples to eat and when they had eat he commanded them that they should break bread and give [ 1ABDEFIJLMNOQRT|it CGHKPS] unto the multitude and when they had given unto the multitude he also gave them wine to drink and commanded them that they should give unto the multitude

The issue here is whether there should be a direct object it after the verb give. There are four cases here in 3 Nephi 20:3–5 where there is no it after give in the earliest text, although in one case (listed above as 2) the 1840 edition supplied it, probably accidentally since the it was not added in the other cases. As explained under Alma 55:31, the critical text will maintain instances of the verb give where the direct object is left unstated. Also see the discussion under 3 Nephi 18:3.

Summary: Continue the use of the verb give without any direct object in 3 Nephi 20:3–5 (“and gave to the disciples to eat … and give unto the multitude and when they had given unto the multitude … that they should give unto the multitude”).

Analysis of Textual Variants of the Book of Mormon, Part. 6

References