Topics

Mark 16:9-20 — "The Longer Ending"

Scripture Interpretation

Whether the longer ending of Mark's Gospel (verses 9-20), absent from the earliest manuscripts, is considered part of canonical Scripture or a later addition.

Key scriptures: Mark 16:9-20

Affirms22
Denies3
Nuanced46
Varies4

Catholic (5)

Orthodox (5)

Mainline Protestant (8)

Evangelical (15)

Baptist (Southern Baptist Convention)

Nuanced

Not in earliest MSS; content affirmed; Baptist Bibles often note textual issue

Calvary Chapel

Nuanced

Longer Ending canonical; affirms resurrection signs and missionary mandate

Christian & Missionary Alliance

Nuanced

Longer Ending (9-20) likely later addition; canonical authority debated

Christian Reformed Church in North America

Nuanced

Longer Ending likely later addition; theological content affirmed as Scripture

Church of the Nazarene

Affirms

Affirms Mark 16:9-20 as Scripture; includes important post-resurrection witness

Evangelical Covenant Church

Nuanced

Textual questions acknowledged; longer ending accepted in practice and teaching

Evangelical Free Church of America

Affirms

Longer ending is canonical and authoritative for EFCA teaching and practice

IFCA International (Independent Fundamental Churches of America)

Affirms

Mark 16:9-20 is authentic Scripture; included in Received Text tradition

National Association of Free Will Baptists

Affirms

Longer ending is canonical; part of Scripture for Free Will Baptist doctrine and practice

Non-denominational Evangelical

Nuanced

Passage recognized as late insertion; generally included but noted as uncertain

Pentecostal (Assemblies of God)

Affirms

Mark 16:9-20 included in canon; affirmed as Scripture and authoritative

Presbyterian Church in America

Nuanced

Textually uncertain but sometimes included; not all PCA churches use it

Reformed Baptist Churches (1689 London Baptist Confession)

Nuanced

Mark 16:9-20 included with textual notation; authenticity disputed

The Wesleyan Church

Nuanced

Mark 16:9-20 textually disputed; included in canon but recognized as likely later addition to Mark

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

Affirms

Longer ending received as canonical Scripture

Charismatic (5)

Anabaptist (5)

Adventist & Restorationist (5)

Other Protestant (8)

Non-Trinitarian (6)

Latter-day Saint (2)

Unique & Independent (7)

African Independent (4)