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The Last Twelve Verses of the Gospel According to S. Mark

Written by John William Burgon

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Bible. Mark XVI, 9-20

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About this book

"The Last Twelve Verses of the Gospel According to S. Mark" by John William Burgon is a scholarly work written in the late 19th century. The text serves as a defense of the authenticity and genuineness of the last twelve verses of the Gospel of Mark against contemporary critical objections suggesting that these verses were not part of the original manuscript. The author elaborates on textual criticism, providing detailed examination of manuscripts, early church fathers' testimonies, and internal evidence to support his claims. At the start of the book, Burgon sets the stage for a rigorous analysis of the historical and textual context surrounding the disputed verses. He acknowledges the prevailing view that these verses are untrustworthy and posits that such beliefs are based on misunderstandings and misinterpretations of the evidence. The author discusses the significance of textual criticism for understanding the New Testament and outlines his intention to challenge the notion that the twelve verses in question are spurious. Through his dedication and preface, Burgon indicates that he seeks not only to refute the criticisms but to establish a foundation for the verses' inclusion as an essential part of the Gospel.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in The Last Twelve Verses of the Gospel According to S. Mark, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 30 hours
  • advanced
  • scholarly
  • rigorous
  • polemical

John William Burgon's "The Last Twelve Verses of the Gospel According to S. Mark" is a seminal 19th-century work of textual criticism, ardently defending the authenticity of Mark 16:9-20. Burgon meticulously scrutinizes manuscript evidence, patristic citations, and internal textual features to counter contemporary scholarly objections that deemed these verses spurious. He positions his argument as a rigorous intellectual challenge to prevailing critical views, aiming to re-establish the traditional understanding of the verses as an integral part of the Gospel. The book is a robust defense of biblical inerrancy and a testament to Burgon's conservative theological stance and exhaustive scholarly methodology.

“The prevailing view that these verses are untrustworthy is based on misunderstandings and misinterpretations of the evidence.”

Key themes

Textual Authenticity and Integrity of Scripture
This is the central theme, exploring whether the last twelve verses of Mark are genuinely part of the inspired text or a later addition. Burgon argues fiercely for their authenticity, viewing the integrity of the entire New Testament as contingent on the meticulous preservation and defense of every passage. The debate over these verses becomes a microcosm for the larger question of biblical inerrancy.
Methodology of Textual Criticism
Burgon's work implicitly and explicitly discusses the correct approach to textual criticism. He champions a methodology that prioritizes the sheer volume and geographical spread of manuscript evidence (the 'majority text' principle) and the historical witness of early Church Fathers over reliance on a few ancient, but potentially aberrant, manuscripts (like Sinaiticus and Vaticanus). He critiques what he sees as a flawed, overly speculative approach by contemporary critics.
Tradition vs. Modern Scholarship
The book can be read as a clash between conservative theological tradition, which generally upholds the received text, and emerging liberal or critical scholarship, which challenged traditional views based on new textual discoveries and analytical methods. Burgon positions himself as a defender of historical Christian consensus against what he perceives as arbitrary or misguided modern innovations.

Worth discussing

How does Burgon's methodology for textual criticism compare to modern critical approaches, and what are the strengths and weaknesses of each?

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