The Long Ending of the Gospel of Mark: A Text-Critical and Narrative Study of its History and Impact

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Some manuscripts of the Gospel of Mark conclude with Mark 16.8 (e.g., and B, 4th century CE). This verse tells of the women fearfully fleeing Jesus' tomb after receiving news from a young man in white that Jesus has risen. Upon leaving the tomb, they tell no one of Jesus' resurrection. However, other manuscripts contain Mark 16.9-20 (e.g., A and Dea, 5th century CE). This ending, known as the Long Ending, describes the resurrected Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene before visiting his disciples and ascending into heaven. One manuscript (W, 5th century CE) inserts a dialogue, called the Freer Logion, between Jesus and his disciples after Mark 16.14 of the Long Ending. Research investigating which ending of Mark's Gospel is original is long-standing in the field of New Testament textual criticism, with most contemporary scholars regarding the Long Ending a later addition (Metzger 1992, Ehrman 2016). My research will build upon past scholarship by answering unresolved textual questions concerning the Long Ending of Mark's Gospel and revealing how the added verses alter the Markan narrative as a whole.I will first use the methods of textual criticism to resolve questions concerning the textual history of the Long Ending. I will engage with manuscripts and patristic writings to affirm when Mark 16.9 to 20 became part of the Gospel. I will also study the ending in light of other ancient texts to determine where ideas in the passage derived. Additionally, I will examine Mark 16.8 and early Christian beliefs to establish why the Long Ending was added.I will then use a narrative critical approach to assess how reading Mark 16.9 to 20 as part of Mark's Gospel impacts our interpretation of the narrative as a whole. I will examine how the Long Ending, including the Freer Logion, alters the preceding text's depiction of Jesus, women, discipleship, healing, and Satan. For example, I will evaluate how the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus in the Long Ending affect our understanding of Jesus in Mark's Gospel.Such research is significant as it will shed light on how early Christian communities viewed Mark's Gospel and present new information on the 'life' of the Long Ending. The study is also valuable as throughout Christian history people have read Mark 16.9-20 as an integral part of the Gospel, and many continue to do; yet few have considered how reading the Long Ending alters our view of the Markan narrative. Thus, my study will address the impact of the additional verses on how centuries of people have interpreted Mark's Gospel in an academic and faith context.I will conduct my work on the textual history of Mark 16.9-20 in the first twelve months (October 22 - September 23) of my programme. I will then spend the following sixteen months (October 23 - February 25) examining the narrative impact of the Long Ending on Mark's Gospel. Following this structure will ensure I can develop my writing and review my study in the final year.