Mark 16:9-20: the ending that isn't in the oldest copies
Mark 16:9-20 is disputed: Reading A ends Mark at 16:8, while Reading B includes twelve further verses. The packet records that the two oldest complete Bibles stop at 16:8, with later tradition carrying the longer ending.
The APB text at this verse
The manuscripts, editions, and versions
The committee record at this verse
The APB's translation committee works blind: it is never told it is translating the Bible, never given a book name or a verse number, and it never sees the witnesses above. Since revision 3.5, the places where the manuscripts disagree are decided before translation by three readers, Grok 4.3, GPT-6 Astra, and Claude Fable 5.1, who see the readings and the witnesses by age and class but never a reference or a manuscript name. Whatever was done at this verse was done on the language and the evidence alone, and the record is public.
Mark 16:9-20: set in brackets as a disputed passage, wording kept.
“The base text reads (nothing). The copies also carry ταχὺ [later majority tradition]; the committee kept the base text. Default wording chosen; evidence strongly favors the omission.”
“The base text reads γὰρ. The copies also carry the omission [later majority tradition]; the committee kept the base text. The evidence strongly supports retaining the default wording.”
“The base text reads (nothing). The copies also carry Πάντα δὲ τὰ παρηγγελμένα τοῖς περὶ τὸν Πέτρον συντόμως ἐξήγγειλαν. Μετὰ δὲ ταῦτα καὶ αὐτὸς ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἀπὸ ἀνατολῆς καὶ ἄχρι δύσεως ἐξαπέστειλεν δι᾽ αὐτῶν τὸ ἱερὸν καὶ ἄφθαρτον κήρυγμα τῆς αἰωνίου σωτηρίας. ἀμήν.¶ [early greek manuscript tradition]; the committee kept the base text. The single early witness for Πάντα δὲ τὰ παρηγγελμένα τοῖς περὶ τὸν Πέτρον συντόμως ἐξήγγειλαν. Μετὰ δὲ ταῦτα καὶ αὐτὸς ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἀπὸ ἀνατολῆς καὶ ἄχρι δύσεως ἐξαπέστειλεν δι᾽ αὐτῶν τὸ ἱερὸν καὶ ἄφθαρτον κήρυγμα τῆς αἰωνίου σωτηρίας. ἀμήν.¶ is outweighed by the breadth and independence of the witnesses for the omission.”
“The base text reads ⸀γὰρ. The copies also carry δὲ [later majority tradition]; the committee kept the base text. The early and independent attestation of ⸀γὰρ outweighs the single late witness for δὲ, and the internal evidence favors the harder explanatory reading.”
“The base text reads ⸁γάρ. The copies also carry 9–20 [early greek manuscript tradition; later majority tradition], 9–20 . [early greek manuscript tradition]; the committee kept the base text. Default wording chosen; evidence is moderately strong but not overwhelming.”
In apb_v3_5, the blind committee set Mark 16:9-20 in brackets as a disputed passage while keeping its wording, and placed a textual note at 16:8. Its decision reads: "The base text reads ⸁γάρ. The copies also carry 9–20 [early greek manuscript tradition; later majority tradition], 9–20 . [early greek manuscript tradition]; the committee kept the base text. Default wording chosen; evidence is moderately strong but not overwhelming." The printed APB text at 16:8 also includes the brief proclamation and sending passage.
The argument for each reading
If Mark ends at 16:8
Reading A follows the ending represented by ℵ B, dated 4th century A.D., where the Gospel ends with ἐφοβοῦντο γάρ at 16:8. Their shared stop is the concrete reason the page describes the two oldest complete Bibles as ending mid-scene; B also has a blank column. NA28 likewise ends the text at 16:8 and brackets the longer ending as an early addition. The apparatus line places γάρ with WH, Treg, and NA28, and separately lists 9–20 as an addition. On this presentation, the abrupt final fear is the book's closing form, while the further material is weighed as a distinct continuation.
If the twelve verses belong
Reading B treats 16:9-20 as the Gospel's continuation. RP prints 9–20 as text, and its witness note says the longer ending stands as text. The apparatus lists + 9–20 Treg RP; it also records Intermediate ending and 9–20 NIV. The committee's decision describes the copies as carrying 9–20 under early greek manuscript tradition and later majority tradition, showing that the longer material has support across those categories as presented. With this reading, appearances, signs, and ascension belong after verse 8 rather than ending at fear.
The packet establishes that the ending has more than one transmitted form, but it does not settle how each reader should weigh the blank column, the early witnesses, or the later majority tradition. The variation changes whether this Gospel contains the appearances, signs, and ascension in 16:9-20. No doctrine is decided by this page; most doctrines rest on many passages.
Common questions
Why do the oldest manuscripts end Mark at 16:8?
The packet identifies ℵ B, 4th century A.D., as ending at 16:8 with ἐφοβοῦντο γάρ. It does not supply a reason why those copies stop there; B also has a blank column.
What is the intermediate ending of Mark?
The apparatus records an intermediate ending alongside 9–20. The APB printed text after 16:8 contains a brief proclamation to those about Peter and a sending of the preaching of eternal salvation.
Does Mark 16:9-20 decide a doctrine?
It changes whether Mark includes appearances, signs, and ascension in these verses. No doctrine is decided here, and most doctrines rest on many passages.
Related entries
Witness readings for critical editions are quoted from the SBLGNT apparatus (CC BY 4.0); Hebrew text from the Westminster Leningrad Codex (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible). Readings of ancient manuscripts and versions are cited as published scholarly fact with their sources linked above. The page does not declare which reading is original.
The registry gives no verdict
The registry does not say which reading is original. Each page lists the witnesses, shows what the committee did with the same text, and leaves the judgment to the reader.