The Case for Mark 16:9-20

The claim that many Greek manuscripts omit Mark 16:9-20 is false. Out of over 1,700 Greek copies of the Gospel of Mark, only two Greek manuscripts clearly end the text at 16:8. These two copies – Codex Vaticanus (known as Codex B) and Codex Sinaiticus (known as Codex  (Aleph)) – represent a form of the text of Mark that circulated in Egypt in the early 200’s, and was taken from there to Caesarea where it was still found in the mid-300’s, when these two manuscripts were produced.

James Snapp, Jr., Authentic: The Case for Mark 16:9-20, May 2015


Mark 16:9-20

Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.

After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.

Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.