Column/Opinion
QUESTION: Is Mark 16:9-20 a part of the inspired Bible? I have two versions of the Bible that seem to indicate that part of the text does not belong. Mr. Whitlock this concerns me.
ANSWER: Numerous versions/translations of the Bible try to cast doubt on the authenticity of Mark 16:9-ff. I once met a man in public discussion, where I affirmed that baptism is essential to salvation. One Scripture he could not refute was Mark 16:16. He produced several modern versions that had footnotes concerning the last twelve verses of Mark 16. The footnote in one Bible version read: “The most reliable early manuscripts and other ancient witnesses do not have Mark 16:9-20.”
My opponent gloated as he read that footnote. The question remains. Did Mark write verses 9 through 20 of Mark 16? Read Mark 16:1-8 and ask if that seems like a logical conclusion to the narrative? What happens to the appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene? What happens to His appearance to the two disciples? What of the appearance of Christ to the eleven? If we just quit reading at Mark 16:8 then we are left “hanging.” Bible critics claim that the twelve verses are not authentic because in those 166 Greek words; 17 words are not used elsewhere by Mark. But what happens if you look at the twelve verses of Mark 15:44 through Mark 16:8? There are 17 words used by Mark in those verses not found previously in the Gospel of Mark! Will the critics then be consistent and omit Mark 15:44 to the end of the Gospel?
Those uninspired footnotes generally do not admit the two ancient manuscripts they allude to are Aleph and B of the fourth century. If one rejects Mark 16:9-20 on the basis of the Vaticanus manuscript will you be consistent? You must omit the books of 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, the last half of the book of Hebrews, and the entire book of Revelation! Will you be consistent? If not, why not? The early church fathers quoted from those verses frequently. When you look at the manuscripts and versions you will note that 34 favor including Mark 16:9-20 and only 3 oppose those twelve verses. (I have a chart showing the majority of those “ancient witnesses” would accept Mark 16:9-20 as inspired. Write or call for a copy, free of charge).
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