February11, 2014: Mark Chapter 16

The Gospel According to Mark Chapter 16

Originally posted Thursday, February 28, 2008

General Comment: Chapter 16 is a very short chapter with only 8 verses. A good study Bible (Oxford, Interpreter's or Harper Annotated) will have two additional sections after verse eight, typically called the shorter and the longer endings of Mark. They will have brackets indicating their lack of "attestation," which means the evidence for their authenticity as part of the original and earliest manuscripts of Mark is lacking. On examination of what are considered the oldest and best manuscripts and their later copies, no text is found beyond verse 8. In those manuscripts that have either or both of the added endings, many have scribal notes in the margins or an asterisk by the additions, indicating that previous copies did not contain the added endings or that the additions are not genuine texts of Mark's Gospel. Several of the most important Christian theologians of the early third century were not aware of the two additions to Mark.

The shorter ending does not appear in manuscripts before the third century. The longer ending is not present before the end of the second or beginning of the third centuries.  The superior quality of the Greek (grammar, etc.), the awkward connections of the additions to the Gospel and the use of certain words unknown in the Gospel, also speak against the additions as authentic. As if that were not sufficient evidence, one might note the oddities of picking up snakes, drinking poisons and speaking in new tongues (glossolalia). Even in the Roman Catholic Church, which includes the added passages in the New Testament Canon, members are not required to believe the added text is authentic since the Council of Trent in the mid sixteenth century.

Mark Chapter 16:1-8 The Unseen Resurrection of Jesus [see MT 28:1-10]

Women had two roles in attending the dead. First they would wash the body and apply a variety of spices and ointments. This would delay the odor of decomposition in a warm climate for the fist two or three days after burial (see John 11:38-39). They would then wrap the body in linen strips. Once the body was placed in the tomb and the tomb was sealed, the women would sing or chant laments for the dead. Mark's timeline places the arrival of the two Marys' at sunrise on Sunday, approximately thirty nine hours after Jesus' death, a little more than one and one half days. Jesus died on Friday. The next day was Saturday, the Sabbath day. The third day was Sunday.

Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Joses and Salome (and James the younger MK 15:40) have arrived to perform their ministrations for the dead. To their surprise the large stone that should have been rolled into the groove in front of the tomb entrance to protect the body from scavenging animals and those who might wish to desecrate the body, had been moved. The tomb was open. With some apprehension both stooped down and entered the tomb. They were startled to see a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on an unused stone bed. The young "messenger" calmed their fears as best he could and gave them the news that Jesus had been raised and that the women were to tell his disciples and Peter to go to Galilee where they would see him (vs., 14:28). The experience of a missing body and an angelic figure with a strange and unbelievable message resulted not with a joyous spirit but two amazed and terrified women who, instead of reporting to the disciples as instructed, said nothing to anyone.

What are we to make of such an ending? We are so accustomed to reading resurrection accounts in the other Gospels that Mark seems incomplete. It is little wonder that later Scribes felt compelled to add more, to complete the story. But is it just our expectations that require such reports? Do we need resurrection accounts to verify the validity of our faith? I am reminded of Jesus' comment to Thomas who also was one who needed the evidence before he would believe. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

Mark has given us all we need. He has presented a Jesus who speaks about and acts as if the Kingdom of God is near, within the midst of the gathered followers. He has revealed the God who inhabits acts of kindness, mercy and justice, the God who says we can love ourselves and our neighbor, the God who says that we can treat others as we would appreciate being treated, the God who says that the world's goods are not our greatest need, the God who says that we can heal others through compassion and a love that mends broken spirits and embodies community. Most of all this Jesus whom Mark has brought to us has by word, deed and example compelled us to take notice that this love is so powerful that it cannot be conquered either by a cross or the grave.