A Comprehensive Conclusion of the Gospel of Mark

A Suitable Ending

The Gospel of Mark covers the adult life of Yeshua Messiah on earth. It contains the selection of his twelve disciples as well as the sermons, parables, and various miracles that he performed. Following his ministry, chapters 11-16 proclaim his death and resurrection. The final chapter shares the supernatural event of his resurrection and ascension into heaven to the right hand of God. However, most ancient theologians came to believe that the ending which has been recorded in the English Bible is not, in fact, the original ending.

Some of the oldest recorded manuscripts of the Gospel of Mark end at verse 8 of chapter 16. Later in time, other copies consisted of additional texts, which vary amongst different biblical translations and are said to have been added on to the chapter. Scholars have discussed various theories concerning the matter, but although there is no explicit evidence, they believe that the original ending of the Gospel of Mark was misplaced since verse 8 does not provide what they consider to be a proper ending of Yeshua’s resurrection (Lunn 337). As a result, additional verses were included in the chapter, which are essentially known as the longer ending, covered in verses 9-20.

The longer ending of the Gospel of Mark was valued greatly by its readers; therefore, it has been included in most current translations. However, there are another two additional endings found in various translations. One of which contains a much shorter and abrupt ending: “But they reported briefly to Peter and those with him all that they had been told. And after these things Jesus himself sent out through them, from east to west, the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation.” And the second being an extension to the longer ending: “This age of lawlessness and unbelief is under Satan, who does not allow the truth and power of God to prevail over the unclean things of the spirits. Therefore, reveal your righteousness now’ – thus they spoke to Christ. And Christ replied to them, ‘The term of years of Satan’s power has been fulfilled, but other terrible things draw near. And for those who have sinned I was handed over to death, that they may return to the truth and sin no more, in order that they may inherit the spiritual and incorruptible glory of righteousness that is in heaven” (Robinson, Bock, Elliott, Wallace 42).

Although these alternative endings to the Gospel of Mark provide richer context for the reader, the most fitting end to the chapter is in verse 8. There are a number of reasons for which this argument may be supported. The first goes back to say that there is no certain evidence concerning whether or not the end of the chapter was actually lost. Meaning that Mark may have very well ended in an abrupt manner intentionally. Second, if these were his intentions, this closing creates an outstanding psychological enigma for the reader.

The verse reads, “So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” When Mary Magdalene, Mary, and Salome saw Yeshua’s tomb, they told no one out of fear! This ending poses a question to the reader. Will they choose to run and never speak of their discovery just as the women did or will they go out and declare the good news that he has risen from the dead? This could be exactly what Mark intended for his audience—to cause them to search their hearts and question what actions they would have taken in this astonishing event.

Mark actually consistently uses these same writing patterns in other chapters of the Gospel (Garland). In multiple chapters he expresses wonders that Yeshua performed and then states the reaction of his followers. For example, verse 15-19 of chapter 11 tells of how Yeshua drove out those who were buying and selling goods in the temple, then when the priests and scribes heard of it, they sought to destroy him, because they feared him and the people were astonished by his teachings. Other examples that I found which are similar to this can be found in chapters such as 5, 6, 10, and 12. Mark is consistent with ending an event expressing the reactions of those who witnessed it and those reactions are generally filled with great astonishment.

This leads to the belief that there was no accident in his writing or incompletion in the ancient manuscript at all. The book ends just as so many of the other events throughout the book do—with pure astonishment. In addition, it leaves the reader in a state of self-examination of this miraculous event. For these reasons, this is the perfect ending for the Gospel of Mark. The additional verses provided in most translations are valuable in that they provide a full explanation of the events leading up to Yeshua’s ascension into heaven, but they do not coincide with Marks patterns of writing and are not fully authentic. Therefore, the abrupt ending should be the only one included in the New Testament.