Corey Gray Blog 2 (Mark)

I think what is the most interesting thing about the Gospel of Mark is how it ends.  There is much controversy if whether or not this is the actual ending to Mark or if scribes along the way decided to add parts and pieces that felt were necessary.  The shortest ending is found in the oldest manuscript all that stop at verse 16:8.  Later, scribes decided to add additional verses that were not always the same and some even had controversial issues.  So then how does the actual ending of Mark really end up?  There are several theories of how Mark ends.  One such theory is that it was accidently lost and readers that were reading this noticed how the story ended so shortly, and many of these readers tried to add their own endings.

            This loss of the original ending to Mark is pretty upsetting since many scholars find Mark to be one of the most reliable gospels.  Not to mention that Mark decides to cut off at the climax of the story when Mary Magdalene and two other women discover the tomb empty.  These women had just been told that Jesus was alive and on his way to Galilee.  From here it is unclear what happens next.  There are theories of what happened but no credited sources are indicated and reliable to believe.

            The ending that is now chosen today adds on verses Mark 16:9-20.  Many Christians do not know this today and still believe that every word is dogmatic.  Will we ever figure out what the real ending of Mark is?  The only way for this to happen would be to have significant evidence that supports these writings.  Scholars would have to critique the writings very intently and examine all the information and determine if they feel this material is authentic and genuine.

                            

1.)Gospels of Bible.  http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_ntb1.htm. pg2-12.2011

2.) Holy Bible: New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978