Mark 16:9-20 — "The Longer Ending"

Disciples scholarship recognizes textual uncertainty of Mark 16:9–20. The longer ending is likely late—not appearing in the earliest Greek manuscripts—yet Disciples include it in most biblical translations with appropriate notes. Disciples affirm the historical-critical approach to Scripture while maintaining that the passage's content (the risen Christ's commissioning and the disciples' empowerment) aligns with post-resurrection theology throughout the New Testament.

The Disciples of Christ tradition values both scholarly rigor and the Church's living tradition. While textual scholarship may question Mark 16:9–20's original authorship, the passage is preserved in the Disciples' biblical canon and read in worship. Disciples recognize that later textual witnesses and patristic usage affirm the passage's place in the manuscript tradition. The Disciples commitment to 'open hearts, open minds, and open doors' extends to a nuanced view of biblical authority that honors both critical scholarship and the Church's received text.