Mark 16:9-20 — "The Longer Ending"
Scripture InterpretationWhether 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
Catholic (5)
Eastern Catholic (Byzantine Rite)
Nuanced
Textual criticism recognized; Resurrection affirmed through ecumenical witness
Maronite Catholic
Affirms
Longer ending canonical; part of authentic Gospel text
Old Catholic Church
Affirms
Mark 16:9-20 affirmed as canonical; longer passage included in reception
Roman Catholic
Nuanced
Not part of original Mark; accepted in canon with textual notation; authority limited
Saint Thomas Christians (Syro-Malabar Church)
Nuanced
Included in Eastern tradition; manuscript questions acknowledged
Orthodox (5)
Assyrian Church of the East
Nuanced
Textually uncertain; not in earliest MSS; content affirmed where used
Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria
Affirms
Longer Ending in Coptic canon; resurrection appearances affirmed
Eastern Orthodox
Nuanced
Textual uncertainty acknowledged; Resurrection affirmation paramount
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Affirms
Longer ending is canonical; part of Mark's Gospel in Ethiopian tradition
Oriental Orthodox (Miaphysite)
Affirms
Mark 16:9-20 affirmed as canonical; included in Oriental Orthodox tradition
Mainline Protestant (8)
Anglican / Episcopalian
Nuanced
Not in earliest MSS; some Bibles exclude or bracket; content theologically sound
Calvinist / Reformed
Nuanced
Longer Ending questioned by scholars; inclusion varies by tradition
Congregationalist (UCC)
Nuanced
Longer Ending textually uncertain; Resurrection foundational
Lutheran
Nuanced
Longer ending not original but included in canon
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Nuanced
Longer ending canonical though manuscript evidence weak
Methodist
Nuanced
Mark 16:9-20 not original to Mark; theological truth affirmed
Presbyterian
Nuanced
Textually uncertain; scholarship acknowledged; often included in preaching
Reformed Church in America
Nuanced
Mark 16:9-20 included canonically; textual issue acknowledged
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)
Charismatic Movement
Varies
Textual status acknowledged; often used in preaching despite textual questions
Church of God (Anderson, Indiana)
Nuanced
Textual status disputed; apostolic content affirmed; used in ministry carefully
Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)
Affirms
Includes Mark 16:9-20 as Scripture; authenticargument and appearance of risen Christ
International Church of the Foursquare Gospel
Affirms
Longer ending is canonical; includes signs and wonders that characterize Pentecostal faith
Vineyard Churches
Nuanced
Mark 16:9-20 textually disputed but content affirmed; signs and wonders mission continues in Church
Anabaptist (5)
Amish (Old Order)
Nuanced
Included in traditional German Bibles; content affirmed; textual origin uncertain
Brethren in Christ Church
Nuanced
Longer Ending authentic; validates resurrection and commissioning
Church of the Brethren
Nuanced
Affirms theological content; acknowledges textual-critical questions about manuscript evidence
Hutterite Brethren
Nuanced
Mark 16:9-20 may not be original; absent from earliest Greek manuscripts
Mennonite Church
Nuanced
Mark 16:9-20 longer ending; uncertain whether original to Mark
Adventist & Restorationist (5)
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Nuanced
Critical scholarship notes textual uncertainty; resurrection central
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ
Varies
Textual status acknowledged; authority varies; pragmatic use in some contexts
Churches of Christ
Nuanced
Longer Ending textually uncertain; apostolic content affirmed; preached carefully
International Churches of Christ
Nuanced
Longer ending not in earliest texts; resurrection message is central
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Nuanced
Mark 16:9-20 included canonically; textual scholars note non-original
Other Protestant (8)
Moravian Church (Unitas Fratrum)
Nuanced
Mark 16:9-20 questioned by textual scholars; theological truth affirmed
Plymouth Brethren
Nuanced
Textually uncertain; scholarship acknowledged; often included in preaching
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Nuanced
Textually uncertain; scholarship acknowledged; often included in preaching
Seventh Day Baptist General Conference
Nuanced
Canonically included but acknowledges manuscript uncertainty; content affirmed
The Salvation Army
Affirms
Mark 16:9-20 is Scripture; resurrection and commission affirmed
True Jesus Church
Affirms
Included in canonical Scripture; affirms resurrection and commissioning of apostles
Universal Church of the Kingdom of God
Nuanced
Mark 16:9-20 included in canon but recognized as disputed; signs and wonders affirmed in principle
Waldensian Church (Chiesa Evangelica Valdese)
Denies
Mark 16:9-20 excluded or bracketed in canon; absent from earliest manuscripts; questionable authenticity
Non-Trinitarian (6)
Biblical Unitarians
Denies
Mark 16:9-20 is a later addition; not original to Mark's Gospel
Christadelphians
Varies
Textual status acknowledged; authority varies; signs and wonders normative in some groups
Church of God General Conference (Abrahamic Faith)
Nuanced
Affirms content but acknowledges scholarly questions about authenticity and ending
Jehovah's Witnesses
Nuanced
Longer ending absent from earliest texts; resurrection message affirmed
Oneness Pentecostals (UPCI)
Nuanced
Passage included; textual issues acknowledged; message of Jesus' mercy affirmed
Unitarian Universalist
Varies
Textual scholarship acknowledged; resurrection interpretation varies widely
Latter-day Saint (2)
Unique & Independent (7)
Armstrongism (Sabbatarian splinter groups)
Affirms
Included in Armstrongist Bibles; content affirmed; signs follow believers
Church of Christ, Scientist
Denies
Longer Ending not canonical; spiritual signs (healing) demonstrate Truth, not external
General Church of the New Jerusalem (Swedenborgian)
Nuanced
Content spiritually true; manuscript questions acknowledged; allegories affirmed
Iglesia ni Cristo
Nuanced
Longer ending of Mark not in earliest texts; message is biblical
Message Movement (Branhamism)
Affirms
Mark 16:9-20 is authentic; includes signs and wonders characteristic of apostolic faith
Messianic Judaism
Nuanced
Mark 16:9-20 longer ending; questioned by textual scholars
New Apostolic Church
Nuanced
Passage recognized as late addition; included but with uncertainty noted
African Independent (4)
Cherubim and Seraphim Church
Affirms
Longer ending accepted; signs and wonders promised; foundational to healing ministry
Church of Jesus Christ on Earth through the Prophet Simon Kimbangu (EJCSK)
Affirms
Longer ending affirmed as part of authentic Scripture
Redeemed Christian Church of God
Affirms
Mark 16:9-20 included in canon; resurrection and signs
Zion Christian Church
Affirms
Mark 16:9-20 affirmed in canon; signs and wonders central to ZCC healing and protective ministry