What Is the Background of the Gospel of Mark?

Where does the material written by Mark end? The options are the gospel ends at 16:8, at 16:20, or that another ending should be added either after 16:8 or 16:20. Additional material may have become lost over the centuries, but it was part of the early texts.

The evidence to support the ending of the gospel of Mark comes down to the question, “Which is the best Greek text?” The issue revolves around whether one considers the majority of the manuscript evidence to be what supports one’s conclusion or whether one regards certain ancient texts as a better and more faithful rendering of the original Greek. The majority of the manuscripts support the reading of Mark’s gospel through 16:20. The older manuscripts (e.g., Vaticanus and Sinaiticus, both fourth century) support the shorter ending at v. 8.

Some internal arguments may be hard to follow unless one has competent ability in the original language. The vocabulary and theology of vv. 9-20 are quite different from the earlier portions of the gospel. It seems that the internal evidence substantiates the claim that Mark’s manuscript should conclude at v. 8. If the gospel does end at v. 8, how can the addition of vv. 9-20 be explained? Certainly it would not have simply been lost. The gospel of Mark was probably written on a scroll, and the conclusion of the gospel would have been rolled up on the inside. It was more common for the first portion to be removed for some reason or simply become worn out through use. Perhaps over the decades, as the gospel was copied, it was felt that the ending at v. 8 was much too abrupt and not an appropriate conclusion. The most common suggestion has been that Aristion, a disciple of the apostle John, made the addition, perhaps even under the authority of John. Some, while recognizing that vv. 9-20 are not Markan, nevertheless conclude that they are a part of the manuscript in the same sense that Deuteronomy 34, concerning the death of Moses, and Joshua 24, concerning Joshua’s death, were added. Do vv. 9-20 fit the same criteria? Some believe they do. Perhaps Mark himself intended to add to the manuscript but may have died before he could do so. The problem of the ending of Mark’s gospel probably will not be solved as long as people live in physical bodies on this earth.