Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Prayer Meeting Lesson Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/pm/pm19970716.htm

MARK: GOSPEL OF THE SERVICE OF CHRIST, GOD'S SERVANT
Part XXVII: Handling Portions Of Scripture With Questioned Manuscript Pedigree
(Mark 16:9-20)
  1. Introduction
    1. Study Bibles all note that Mark 16:9-20 do not appear in two of the most trustworthy Greek manuscripts, Codex Sinaiticus (<:f,BHebrew,>a) and Codex Vaticanus (B). In fact, the United Bible Societies Greek text ad ds that there is a shorter ending to Mark that differs even from verses 9-20 of chapter 16 in our text, and there are disagreements among the many copies of manuscripts as to various readings within that section.
    2. What do we do with this problem?! After all, we are talking about God's Word that we use for our faith and practice, and whose statements we are using for the basis of what we believe about life after death! Besides, some practice handling poisonous serpents as an ordinance due to Mark 16:18's revelation!
    3. Following the principal of context, what at first appears to be a problem really disappears as follows:
  2. Handling Portions Of Scripture With Questioned Manuscript Pedigree, Mark 16:9-20.
    1. According to the authoritative work edited by Bruce Metzger of the United Bible Societies, A Textual Commentary, all of the evidence points to the fact that the earliest form of the Gospel of Mark we know of ended abruptly with Mark 16:8. Verses 9-20 were added by an author other than the evangelist, Mark, but by one who obviousl y had deep insight into the events involved where the shorter ending of Mark is the work of one much later who had no such insight, p. 122-126.
    2. In view of this conclusion by non-inspired, Evangelical scholars, we also note that much of the sections of Mark 16:9-20 can be validated by non-questionable texts from the other New Testament records with the single exception of the drinking of poison unharmed by Christ's disciples in v. 18b:
      1. The appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene in Mk. 16:9 is corroborated by Jn. 20:11-17.
      2. The fact that Christ had cast seven demons out of her is relatively corroborated by Lk. 8:2.
      3. Mary's report of Christ's resurrection to the disciples in Mk. 16:10 is validated by Jn. 20:18 although it is not certain that the disciples were mourning and weeping when she arrived as Mark 16:10 has it.
      4. The fact that the disciples did not believe her according to Mk. 16: 11 is corroborated by Lk. 24:11.
      5. The appearance of Jesus to two disciples who walked in the country in Mk. 16:12 is validated by Luke's record in Luke 24:13-31; even their hurried return to tell the other disciples in Mk. 16:13 is validated by Luke 24:32-35 although t he alleged unbelief of the eleven reported in Mark 16:13b runs contrary to Luke 24:36 where Jesus appeared while the Emmaus disciples were telling the eleven of their experience, not giving time for unbelief at their report to occur!
      6. The appearance of Jesus to the disciples as they ate at a meal and His sharp rebuke for their unbelief to date of the resurrection reports in Mark 16:14, though not theologically errant, is not supported by other New Testament accounts . However, it might well have happened!
      7. All of the commands of Jesus regarding the Great Commission in Mark 16:15-16 match that of Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 2:38, and all of the miraculous signs listed in verses 17 and 18 are found in the Book of Acts except for the one of t he disciples drinking poison unharmed, cf. Acts 8:7; 16:18; 19:15-16 (exorcising demons), speaking in new languages (Acts 2:4-11 et al.), taking up serpents unharmed (Acts 28:3-5) and laying hands on the sick for their recovery, Acts 28:8.
      8. Christ's ascension in Mark 16:19 is corroborated by Acts 1:9-11, and the fact that He sat on the Father's right hand is validated by Hebrews 1:3.
      9. The report of the disciples going forth to preach everywhere with the confirming works of the Lord is fully documented throughout the book of Acts and the Epistles of Paul, John and Peter.
    3. Thus, the elements in Mark 16:9-20 that are not confirmed elsewhere, though not corroborated, are nevertheless quite believable!
Concluding Lesson: (1) We should not BASE a doctrine or teaching solely on Mark 16:9-20 as its testimony is uncertain. (2) However, since its reports may ALL be TRUE, we should teach from it what we can corroborate ELSEWHERE in Scripture. (3) Particularly, we should NOT practice serpent handling or drinking poison as an ordinance just because it appears in this questionable section of Mark, for in other Scripture texts, such events were NEVER instituted as ordinances of the Church!