Since a portion of Mark 16 is not found in the better manuscripts, is it for the church today?
Let’s read Mark 16:9-20, “Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.”
This is the portion that you are referring to, I believe. Some Bibles have a note at the end of this chapter with words such as: “Some of the earliest manuscripts do not include 16:9–20.” First, it is important to see that none of the words of Mark 16:9-20 dispute any other portion of the Bible, neither does it add anything to the Bible that would be contrary to the teachings of Christ.
Verses 17-18 are peculiar to Mark, but the truth of what is said in them is born out in other scriptures. Let’s look at those verses, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” These were actually accomplished in the early days of the church.
- Casting out devils – Acts 5:16, 8:5-7
- Speaking with new tongues – Acts 2:4-11
- Taking up serpents/drinking poison – Acts 28:3-5
- Laying hands on the sick – Acts 19:11-12
We see, then, that the words of Mark 16:9-20 are in agreement with all the other scriptures and actually speak of future events that were accomplished. I believe these indicate that this portion is credible and can be trusted as being from the Lord.
One source I consulted, said this about Mark 16:9-20, “Evidence for including these verses is staggering. When we look at the manuscripts of Mark’s Gospel that survive today, more than 99 percent contain Mark 16:9–20. This includes not only 1,600-plus Greek manuscripts, but most manuscripts of early translations of Mark as well.”
Although some have doubts about the validity of this portion of scripture, in view of all the evidence to support it, I find no reason not to accept this portion as truly being part of the holy writ. (CC) (528.2)