What's The Deal with Mark 16:9-20?

Why is this note in my Bible?

There are many reasons scholars question whether this was written by the writer of the rest of Mark’s Gospel.

I shared this in adult Bible study and recorded it so you could watch my longer explanation.

In short:

It reads different (in both English and Greek), the oldest Greek mss. don’t have these verses, and many of the early church fathers end with Mark 16:8.

When there are apparent issues like this, what do modern scholars and Bible translators do?

Textual notes...

So, should I ignore this part of Mark?

Absolutely not!

We aren’t 100% sure it wasn’t written by Mark, so it is unwise to ignore it.

God preserved the longer ending for a reason.

As early as the 2nd century A.D. we find these verses being used within the church.

While our knowledge of history always will have gaps, God’s Word is completely trustworthy.

We still have much to learn about history and about God’s Word...

We don’t try an hide this issue...

It’s a problem of transmission, not a problem of inspiration...

The materials here are a great epilogue, summarizing the Resurrection appearances, the Great Commission, the Ascension, and some of the events from the book of Acts.

What are the timeless truths of Mark 16:9-20 for followers of Jesus?

Verses 9-14

The Point: A follower of Jesus must believe that Jesus has risen from the dead, as He said He would.

John 20:11-18 - Jesus appearance to Mary Magdalene...

Luke 24:13-35 - Jesus appearance on the road to Emmaus...

Luke 24:36-44 & John 20:26-29 - Jesus rebukes the disciples for their hard hearts...

These are all examples of calls to believe Jesus, even if His resurrection seems unbelievable.

Yet, we cannot say we believe Jesus is the Lord if we refuse to believe in the resurrection. Sound to judgmental? See 1 Corinthians 15:12-17.

In short: Belief in the resurrection of Jesus is not an optional belief within the Christian faith!

Verses 15-16

The Point: A follower of Jesus must proclaim the Gospel of Jesus to people.

Issues:

I’m no preacher...that’s your job preacher…don’t we pay you for that, since you only work one day a week anyway!

What is the Gospel?

The Gospel is the timeless message and the timeless mission of the church.

The message and mission of the church is not:

We all need to be nicer people;

We all need to love each other better;

We all need to have hope for a better life;

We need to live our best life now;

We need to push for systemic change in our community, culture and world.

We are called to preach, teach, and share the Gospel, the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes!

Verses 17-18

The Point: A follower of Jesus experiences God at work.

All of these listed are things that we find in Acts and all are connected to a Gospel witness:

Casting out demons: Acts 8:7; 16:18; 19:11-16

Speaking in tongues: Acts 2:4-11; 10:46; 19:6

Healing the sick: Acts 3:7; 19:11; 28:8-9

Snake Handling: Hold up!

In 1910 George Went Hensley, upon reading Mark 16:18 introduced snake handling to the churches throughout the Appalachian region. Was this just being faithful to the text here?

No, this is likely a reference to Acts 28:1-6 when Paul is bitten by a poisonous viper on the isle of Malta.

Did he drink poison?

Do these exist today? Yes and no.

I believe that God’s Word is a far greater Gospel witness than signs and wonders…

If one is not going to believe God’s Word they will reject signs and wonders, or will simply put their faith in those who do the signs and wonders (consider modern faith-healers).

However, we also need to be careful putting limits on the work of God today as well.

God can work as He pleases. The question we should always ask is:

Who gets the glory?

Is it truly a miracle, or could it be a trick?

Does this serve to spread the Gospel, or expand a individual and/or “ministry”?

Verses 19-20

The Point: A follower of Jesus is on mission for the exalted Lord Jesus.

Don’t try too hard to envision Jesus sitting at the right hand of God from a picturesque standpoint. We cannot fathom what this looks like.

The focus is more a description of relationship. Jesus is no longer the Suffering Servant, but the Exalted Lord, making intercession for us.

Whether from Mark or not, one of the greatest verses in this section is verse 20 because it really sums up the true power in the church:

We must preach and teaching the Gospel. But it is the Lord that is at work in His church and in people’s hearts to bring about His will.