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Is
the ending of Mark really scripture?
Mark 16:9-20
There is dispute over
Mark
16:9-20 and whether or not it
should be included in the New Testament. It is found in many old
manuscripts but is omitted in two of the earliest complete copies of the
Bible known as the Vaticanus (350 AD) and Sinaiticus (375 AD).
Additionally, there is another ending to Mark in some old manuscripts that
is substituted for 9-20. The alternate ending reads as follows:
"And they promptly
reported all these instructions to Peter and his companions. And after
that, Jesus Himself sent out through them from east to west the sacred and
imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation."
Some
scholars have asserted that the ending is in a different style than the rest
of the gospel and that it contains 16-22 "non-marcan" words used in a "non-marcan"
sense. It seems to suggest that Jesus appeared in a different form (v.
12) which could be problematic
since Jesus rose in the same body He died in (John
2:19-21). Also, Mark
16:16 can be interpreted to mean that baptism is part of salvation.
It isn't as is testified by verses that teach justification by faith
Rom. 5:1;
6:23;
Eph. 2:8-9, etc.). Whichever the
case, the dispute is not settled and may never be.
I am not here trying to undermine the authority of
God's word nor state that Mark
16:9-20 is not authentic. But, the fact remains that these 12
verses are under dispute and it is necessary to spotlight this issue when
dealing with the historic reliability and inspiration of the New Testament
manuscripts.
The text of Mark 16:9-20
"Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first
appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons. 10She
went and reported to those who had been with Him, while they were mourning
and weeping. 11And when they heard that He was alive, and had
been seen by her, they refused to believe it.
12And after that, He appeared in a different
form to two of them, while they were walking along on their way to the
country. 13And they went away and reported it to the others, but
they did not believe them either.
14And afterward He appeared to the eleven
themselves as they were reclining at the table; and He reproached them for
their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those
who had seen Him after He had risen. 15And He said to them, "Go
into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16"He
who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has
disbelieved shall be condemned. 17"And these signs will accompany
those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will
speak with new tongues; 18they will pick up serpents, and if they
drink any deadly poison, it shall not hurt them; they will lay hands on the
sick, and they will recover."
19So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to
them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
20And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord
worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed," (NASB).
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Bible Difficulties - Matthew to
Mark
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Luke to Acts
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