Mark 16

QUESTION: Mark 16 – The Last 12 Verses of Mark’s Gospel

ANSWER:

Three scriptures addressed by Ehrman, in the book Misquoting Jesus (Mark 16:9–20; John 7:53–8:11; and 1 John 5:7–8) have been considered inauthentic by most New Testament textual scholars for over a hundred years. Yet, Ehrman uses a “Can You Believe It?” style reserved for conspiracy-junkies.

Here they are...

Mark 16 – The Last 12 Verses of Mark’s Gospel

When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either. Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it (Mark 16:9-20).

No real issue here. Most scholars agree this text in Mark 16 was later added by another writer/scribe. Here’s the current note in the NIV that precedes the text: “The most reliable early manuscripts and other ancient witnesses do not have Mark 16:9-20.”