Mark 16

Mark 16 is the sixteenth and final chapter of the Gospel of Mark in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. This chapter recounts the events following the resurrection of Jesus Christ, including the discovery of the empty tomb, appearances of Jesus to Mary Magdalene and other disciples, and the commissioning of the disciples to spread the gospel.

The ending of Mark 16 is a subject of scholarly debate. While verses 1-8 are universally accepted as part of the original Gospel, verses 9-20 (known as the "longer ending") are not found in the earliest and most reliable manuscripts. Some scholars believe that the longer ending was added later to harmonize Mark's Gospel with the accounts of the resurrection in other Gospels. Other scholars argue that the longer ending represents an authentic, though perhaps later, tradition about Jesus.

The shorter ending, a brief additional statement after verse 8, is also found in some manuscripts, though it is less common than the longer ending.

The inclusion or exclusion of verses 9-20 significantly impacts the interpretation of Mark's Gospel, particularly regarding the resurrection appearances of Jesus, the commissioning of the disciples, and the signs that will accompany believers.