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20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
—Mark 16:20
Most scholars think that verses 9-20 were not included in the original manuscript that Mark wrote. The earliest copies of his manuscript that exist do not have these verses. And even when we read these verse, they have the feel of a closing summary that could have been added on later.
But why would anyone want to add anything to the Gospel, which is effectively the account of the the apostle Peter written down by John Mark (Acts 12:12, 12:25, 15:37)?
Perhaps it is because of the uncertain and contradictory conclusion left behind by verse 8: Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
The evidence around the ending of Mark gets a lot more complicated, and how Mark ends has been one of the most debated topics among Gospel scholars.
Of course, most people don’t care about scholarly debates at all, but I actually find them to be important.
Part of the reason I find them to be important is because where a church lands on these issues may influence the denomination or tradition of the church. For example, verses 17-18 talk about specific signs that accompany evangelism. And so, some church traditions have actually used poisonous snakes to confirm a person’s faith!
A more significant reason that we should find these debates important is because these debates reveal that we must not be so dogmatic about what we believe to be “absolutely true” when it comes to Scripture, except one thing: Christ, and Him crucified, resurrected, and returning.
Understanding these debates draws us deeper into the meaning of God’s word and forces us to listen to different opinions about ideas we may have taken for granted.
In other words, when we learn to draw deeper into God’s word, when we learn to listen to different opinions, when we learn to maintain our fellowship with other believers around the core gospel message, we grow as believers and as a church, and we honor God.
I believe that Mark ended with verse 8. But what I appreciated about verses 9-20 is that it tells us explicitly what actually happened. In particular, verse 20 happened, despite verse 8.
The disciples went out and preached the gospel boldly despite their fear, and “the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.”
Throughout church history (I mean, even today), when churches are committed to spreading the good news of Jesus Christ and lean upon the Spirit completely (not leaning upon our own understanding and strategies), Jesus works with them and confirms the truth of the gospel with signs.
I long to encounter the power of Christ more through His Spirit in our Canvas family.
Father, You have been so faithful to us. But I confess that in many ways, I am still driven by uncertainty and fear, rather than faith. But You have called me as a witness and as a shepherd for Your people. Help me to be a proper model for this Canvas family of the good news that saves us. In Jesus’s name. Amen.