How much of the Gospel of Mark was edited?

Answer 1

There is no absolute to this question, as scholars often have to look for clues to determine what was the original text of the Gospel. Other cases are more certain, for example where the oldest manuscripts differ from the modern versions, or entirely lack certain passages. Overall, a quite significant part of the Gospel of Mark may consist of later insertions or amendments.

Just a few of the more certain amendments to Mark's Gospel:

• There is a scholarly consensus that the "long ending", Mark 16:9-20, was not part of the original Gospel. In fact, at one stage, there was a different "short ending", before the "long ending" became the accepted canon.
• 1:1 now reads, "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;"

  Some early manuscripts do not contain " the Son of God".

• 6:11 now reads, "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."

  Some early manuscripts do not contain "Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city." This is considered to have been copied from Matthew 10:15.

• 7:16 now reads, " If any man have ears to hear, let him hear." TThis is believed to have been inserted as a copy from Mark 4:9 or 4:23.
• 9:29 now reads, " ... by prayer and fasting."

  Some early manuscripts do not contain "and fasting".