What About Mark 16?
The most glaring Textral Variance (change in the ancient manuscripts) is the second half of Mark 16. Most modern translations will distinctly mark verses 9 and on through offsetting or italics. While critics are certainly going to have a field day with this passage, I want to show that none of the content in these verses is really in question. All the statements of this chapter can be verified through other unquestionable passages, most of which are from the gospel tradition.
Here is a PDF and its table showing continuity of Mark 16 and the rest of the first century teachings.
Loading…
Reload document 
Open in new tab | Mark 16 | Claim | Verified |
| 9a | He had risen early on the first day of the week | Mt 28:1-4; Lk 24:1; Jn 20:1 |
| 9a | He first appeared to Mary Magdalene | Jn 20:14ff |
| 9b | From whom He had cast out seven demons | Lk 8:2 |
| 10a | She went and reported to those who had been with Him | Jn 20:18 |
| 11 | They refused to believe it | Lk 24:11; Jn 20:9 |
| 12a | He appeared in a different form | Lk 24:16, 31 |
| 12b | Two of them while walking on their way | Lk 24:13ff |
| 13a | They reported it to the others | Lk 24:35 |
| 13b | They did not believe them either | Lk 24:38 |
| 14a | He appeared to the eleven by themselves at the table | Lk 24:33, 41; Jn 20:19 |
| 14b | He reproved them for unbelief | Lk 24:25; Jn 20:27 |
| 15 | Go to all the world and preach the gospel | Mt 28:19; Lk 24:47; Ac 1:8 |
| 16a | He who has believe and has been baptized shall be saved | Mt 28:19; Jn 20:31; Ac 2:38 |
| 16b | He who has disbelieved shall be condemned | 2Co 4:4; Ti 1:15; He 3:12; Re 21:8 |
| 17a | Signs: Cast out demons | Mt 10:1, 8; Lk 10:17; Ac 5:16 |
| 17b | Signs: speak with new tongues | Ac 2:4; 1Co 13:1; 14:2 |
| 18a | Signs: pick up serpents | Lk 10:19; Ac 28:3ff |
| 18a | Signs: Drink poison | (Mt 10:1; Lk 10:19) |
| 18b | Sign: heal sick | Ac 5:16; 8:7 |
| 19a | He was received up into heaven | Lk 24:51; Ac 1:9 |
| 19b | Sat down at the right hand of God | Ac 2:33; Ep 1:20; He 1:13 |
| 20a | They went out and preached everywhere | Mt 28:19; Ac 1:8 |
| 20b | The Lord worked with them by signs | Ac 4:30; 9:34; 18:10; He 2:4 |
| 20c | Message reported to Peter and companions | Mt 28:7,10; Lk 24:9; 34; Jn 20:18; 1Co 15:5 |
| 20c | Jesus sent them out east to west | Ac 1:8; 1Co 4:9 |
| 20d | Sacred and imperishable proclamation | 2 Tm 1:9, 14; He 2:3; 1Pt 1:22ff |