The Last Twelve Verses of the Gospel According to S. Mark by John William Burgon

(6 User reviews)   2629
By Charlotte Girard Posted on Nov 15, 2025
In Category - Adventure
Burgon, John William, 1813-1888 Burgon, John William, 1813-1888
English
Hey, have you ever noticed that weird little note in some Bibles saying Mark 16:9-20 might not be original? I just read this old book that tackles that exact question, and it's wild. A 19th-century scholar basically goes full detective, gathering ancient manuscripts like clues to defend those last twelve verses. He argues passionately that they belong, calling it a case of scholarly theft. It's less about theology and more about a man on a mission to prove everyone else wrong. If you've ever been curious about how we got the Bible text we have, this is a fascinating rabbit hole.
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Chapter I. THE CASE OF THE LAST TWELVE VERSES OF S. MARK’S GOSPEL, STATED. Chapter II. THE HOSTILE VERDICT OF BIBLICAL CRITICS SHEWN TO BE QUITE OF RECENT DATE. Chapter III. THE EARLY FATHERS APPEALED TO, AND OBSERVED TO BEAR FAVOURABLE WITNESS. Chapter IV. THE EARLY VERSIONS EXAMINED, AND FOUND TO YIELD UNFALTERING TESTIMONY TO THE GENUINENESS OF THESE VERSES. Chapter V. THE ALLEGED HOSTILE WITNESS OF CERTAIN OF THE EARLY FATHERS PROVED TO BE AN IMAGINATION OF THE CRITICS. Chapter VI. MANUSCRIPT TESTIMONY SHEWN TO BE OVERWHELMINGLY IN FAVOUR OF THESE VERSES.—PART I. Chapter VII. MANUSCRIPT TESTIMONY SHEWN TO BE OVERWHELMINGLY IN FAVOUR OF THESE VERSES.—PART II. Chapter VIII. THE PURPORT OF ANCIENT SCHOLIA, AND NOTES IN MSS. ON THE SUBJECT OF THESE VERSES, SHEWN TO BE THE REVERSE OF WHAT IS COMMONLY SUPPOSED. Chapter IX. INTERNAL EVIDENCE DEMONSTRATED TO BE THE VERY REVERSE OF UNFAVOURABLE TO THESE VERSES. Chapter X. THE TESTIMONY OF THE LECTIONARIES SHEWN TO BE ABSOLUTELY DECISIVE AS TO THE GENUINENESS OF THESE VERSES. Chapter XI. THE OMISSION OF THESE TWELVE VERSES IN CERTAIN ANCIENT COPIES OF THE GOSPELS, EXPLAINED AND ACCOUNTED FOR. Chapter XII. GENERAL REVIEW OF THE QUESTION: SUMMARY OF THE EVIDENCE; AND CONCLUSION OF THE WHOLE SUBJECT. APPENDIX (A). APPENDIX (B). APPENDIX (C). APPENDIX (D). APPENDIX (E). APPENDIX (F). APPENDIX (G). APPENDIX (H). POSTSCRIPT. L’ENVOY GENERAL INDEX. Footnotes THE CODEX [Transcriber’s Note: This e-book contains much Greek text which is central to the point of the book. In the ASCII versions of the e-book, the Greek is transliterated into Roman letters, which do not perfectly represent the Greek original; especially, accent and breathing marks do not transliterate. The HTML and PDF versions contain the true Greek text of the original book.] On the next page is exhibited an _exact Fac-simile_, obtained by Photography, of fol. 28 _b_ of the CODEX SINAITICUS at S. Petersburg, (Tischendorf’s א): shewing the abrupt termination of S. Mark’s Gospel at the words ΕΦΟΒΟΥΝΤΟ ΓΑΡ (chap. xvi. 8), as explained at p. 70, and pp. 86-8. The original Photograph, which is here reproduced on a diminished scale, measures in height full fourteen inches and one-eighth; in breadth, full thirteen inches. It was procured for me through the friendly and zealous offices of the English Chaplain at S. Petersburg, the Rev. A. S. Thompson, B.D.; by favour of the Keeper of the Imperial Library, who has my hearty thanks for his liberality and consideration. It will be perceived that the text begins at S. Mark xvi. 2, and ends with the first words of S. Luke i. 18. Up to this hour, every endeavour to obtain a Photograph of the corresponding page of the CODEX VATICANUS, B, (No. 1209, in the Vatican,) has proved unavailing. If the present Vindication of the genuineness of Twelve Verses of the everlasting Gospel should have the good fortune to approve itself to his Holiness, POPE PIUS IX., let me be permitted in this unadorned and unusual manner,—(to which I would fain add some circumstance of respectful ceremony if I knew how,)—very humbly to entreat his Holiness to allow me to possess a Photograph, corresponding in size with the original, of the page of CODEX B (it is numbered fol. 1303,) which exhibits the abrupt termination of the Gospel according to S. Mark. J. W. B. ORIEL COLLEGE, OXFORD, _June 14, 1871_. [[Illustration: Codex Sinaiticus facsimile page.]] [[Illustration: Codex Sinaiticus facsimile page.]] "MY WORD WILL NOT PASS AWAY" ἀμὴν γὰρ λέγω ὑμῖν, ἕως ἂν παρέλθῃ ὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ ἡ γῆ, ἰῶτα ἓν ἢ μία κεραία οὐ μὴ παρέλθῃ ἀπὸ τοῦ νόμου, ἕως ἂν πάντα...

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This isn't a novel or a typical history book. It's a deep, detailed argument. John William Burgon, a dean and scholar, wrote it to defend the final twelve verses of the Gospel of Mark (the bit with Jesus's post-resurrection appearances and the Great Commission) against critics who claimed they were a later addition. The book is his courtroom, and he presents his evidence: countless references from early church fathers, comparisons of ancient Greek and Latin manuscripts, and logical critiques of his opponents' methods. He's not just making a point; he's building a fortress of facts.

Why You Should Read It

You get a front-row seat to a 19th-century intellectual brawl. Burgon's passion is undeniable. He writes with the fervor of someone who believes truth is under attack. Even if you don't agree with his conclusions, watching him marshal evidence is impressive. It pulls back the curtain on how biblical scholarship works—the debates over ancient handwriting, the weight given to different manuscripts, and how personal conviction shapes academic pursuit. It makes you think about where our "authoritative" texts really come from.

Final Verdict

This is a niche but gripping read for a specific audience. It's perfect for curious Bible readers who've seen those footnotes and wondered what the fuss is about, or for anyone interested in the history of books and textual criticism. It's not a light, easy read—Burgon's style is dense and his arguments are technical. But if you enjoy watching a masterful, opinionated scholar defend his hill with every tool at his disposal, you'll find it compelling. Think of it as historical detective work, where the mystery is a paragraph of ancient scripture.



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Charles Hill
10 months ago

Thanks for the recommendation.

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5 out of 5 (6 User reviews )

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