Mark 16:9-20, Is This the Word of God?

Today’s passage and John 7:53-8:11 are two lengthy passages that have been considered by some as not in the original text.  The arguments for both are that they are not in the “oldest” manuscripts, and yet are found in “most” of the manuscripts.  The “oldest” argument comes from the critical Greek text (NU in the NKJV footnotes, for Nestle-Aland and United Bible Society).  The “most” argument comes from the “majority” text (that was easy).  The Textus Receptus, used for the King James Version of the New Testament, is similar to the majority text but was based on fewer manuscripts.

My point is to simply be sure you know why there are differences.  I do have brothers in Christ who have strong feelings on this issue.  Some favor the KJV and believe the “oldest” manuscripts were not what they claim to be.  Others favor the critical text, accepting the argument that manuscripts closest to the time of the original must be considered more trustworthy.  English translations, based on either argument, such as NKJV (majority text) and NASV (critical text), include both passages with appropriate footnotes. 

I am not particularly interested in this argument, and the thought that I must see it one way or another. As you know from the blog, I use the NKJV.  But the reason is not because I consider it more reliable but because I find it easier for my studies given my grounding in the KJV from my childhood. I will say, as others have also said, that the Mark passage has a certain “feel” to it that sounds like it might have been added later by someone with a particular background, perhaps with an axe to grind. 

I am more interested in the approach that asks if the passages are in sync with the rest of Scripture.  I am not going to base some doctrine on either passage, in light of the questions.  But I am going to study them, verse by verse, or better, word by word.  Along the way I will mention a couple of things that are said in an unusual way.  But they do not disagree with Scripture. 

The question is certainly important.  Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.   Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar (Prov. 30:4-5).  This is the Mormon problem, where they have added “another testament” to the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.  And the Jehovah’s Witness problem, when they add words to make Scripture agree with their doctrine (e.g. Col. 1:16, “by means of him all other things were created,” inserting the word “other” as they maintain Christ was a created being).  In their “study Bible” it acknowledges that “other” is not the accurate translation of the Greek. 

One final note.  We believe that God, who revealed Himself in the written word, would preserve that Word down through the ages.  Indeed, what we have, in both the NKJV and NASV, is the most accurate and consistent accounting of any ancient book.  No other book!  The Bible is unique in this way, and that is to the glory of our God who has made sure we have a record of His actual words to humanity!