Mark 16

Scripture

Mark 16 blueletterbible

verses 9-20

I recently heard a discussion regarding a major criticism about Bible translations. One of the arguments was that there appears to be an addition to Mark. The theory they were presenting was that Mark did not write this ending but that it was added later.


Observation
So now that I am here I can review it for myself. This chapter shows a shorter ending and a longer ending. The footnote of my NLT bible states The most reliable early manuscripts conclude the Gospel of Mark at verse 8. Other manuscripts include various endings to the Gospel. Two of the more noteworthy endings are printed here.

In the NKJV the footnote says this Verses 9-20 are bracketed in NU-Text as not original. They are lacking in Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus, although nearly all other manuscripts of Mark contain them.

Then I looked again at my bible and noticed there are references for each little section, (this does not appear in the blueletter online version, but mine is a study bible). Here are the headings as they appear in my bible.
at verse 9 Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18)
at verse 12 Jesus Appears to Two Believers Traveling on the Road (Luke 24:13-34)
at verse 14 Jesus Appears to Thomas (John 20:24-34)
at verse 15 Jesus Gives the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20)
at verse 19 Jesus Ascends into Heaven (Luke 24:50-53)

I realized that there is not anything in this section that is not also told in another gospel. My study Bible simply makes it very easy to compare the gospels.

Does it really matter that this seems to be an addition to the earliest manuscripts? I don't think so, there is nothing in this text that is new or contradictory to the rest of the Bible. We will never know for sure who added the ending - at least until we get to heaven and can ask Mark himself! So for now I think that that it is an interesting fact and nothing more.

The more important fact is found in verse 15 And then he told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere. This is what Jesus is telling s to do!


Application

This is another area where I feel like I am beig lead to slow down and study, not just read. If I had just been reading I may not have ever noticed the footnote. Even though I decided that this particular instance is not that important, there may be something very important in the future that I would miss if I am just reading.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for your Word. I praise you for the inerrant quality of your Word and I understand that the translations I have are prepared by man and they may have errors in it. I also thank you for guiding these men so that the errors are likely minimal. I fully trust the Word that I have in front of me because I place my faith in you. I pray and trust that you will guide me to what I need to see.