What Kind of Soil Are You?

by Doy Moyer Mark 4 presents what we call the parable of the sower. What has recently struck me is how the entire chapter stays with the same essential point concerning the power of God’s word. Here are a few thoughts: The parable’s point is not whether we are sowing the seed as much as…

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Tempted and Tried

by Perry Hall “For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another” (Mark 9:49-50). “Salted with fire” (Mark 9:49) is a notoriously hard saying of Jesus. Context can help.…

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Evidence for Mark’s Longer Ending

by Perry Hall Should we accept Mark’s longer ending (Mark 16:9-20), or instead concur with a popular scholarly conclusion that verse 8 is the proper ending? Here I will present one argument for why I think the longer ending is fitting to Mark’s gospel. Notice the claim: “the longer ending is fitting to Mark’s gospel”.…

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Why did Jesus cite only six of the Ten Commandments to the young ruler?

Question: I visit your site often to look up topics and articles. There is very good information cited in them. I have a question, you might be able to answer. In Matthew 19:18-19, why did Jesus only cite six of the ten commandments to the rich young ruler and not all? Thanks. Answer: The account of…

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I’m still confused why Matthew used “Eli” while Mark used “Eloi”

Question: Your explanation of the above subject is a bit confusing because we are told that the Old Testament was translated from Hebrew to English while the New Testament was translated from Greek to English. So, I expect them to pick the pronunciation of the same words uttered before translation into English or any other language. Thanks. Answer:…

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Notes on the Verification of Mark 16:9-20

The text of Mark 16:9-20 is consistent with inspired text found in the rest of the New Testament Mark 16 Claims Verified 9 He had risen early on the first day of the week Matthew 28:1-4; Luke 24:1; John 20:1 He first appeared to Mary Magdalene John 20:14ff From whom he had cast out seven…

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Views of Mark 16:16

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ViewsOfMark16.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Mark 16:14-20   I.         Jesus had just one meaning in mind when he spoke Mark 16:16.             A.        It isn’t for men to put their own spin on Jesus’ words – II Peter 1:20-21             B.        Not that this has ever stopped people from trying             C.        God doesn’t author confusion – I Corinthians 14:33             D.        But…

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Is there no proof who really wrote the four gospels?

Question: What evidence do we have that the four gospels were written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John? I hear a lot of people saying they were anonymous, and we have no proof they were written by the people whose names are given to them. Answer: To claim there is no evidence would require setting terms on…

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Could the Freer Logion have also been removed from Mark?

Question: Mr. Jim Snapps, I have read your article about the various endings of the book of Mark. Since you mentioned the possibility of the deliberate removal of Mark 16:9-20 due to heretical tampering, isn’t it also possible that the Freer Logion could have been also removed by heretics? The Freer Logion also suffers from mentioning…

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Why does Matthew mention the exception to divorce but Mark and Luke don’t?

Question: Why is the exception clause “except it be for fornication” in Matthew 19:8 regarding the teaching of Jesus on divorce and remarriage not included in Mark’s account of this teaching (Mark 10:2-10) or in Luke’s account (Luke 16:18)? Answer: Each gospel account was written to different audiences with different purposes. None give a complete…

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Why is there mention of the young man who fled naked in Mark?

Question: In Mark 14:51-52, it reads, “And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:  And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.” What could be the purpose of these two verses being in here?  Was this…

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Is Mark 16:9-20 Inspired?

by Kyle Pope via Biblical Insights, Vol. 9, No. 8, August 2009 Many students of the New Testament have found themselves puzzled by notes encountered at the close of the Gospel of Mark, claiming, “The most reliable early manuscripts and other ancient witnesses do not have Mark 16:9–20″[1]. Should we question the reliability or inspiration of…

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Who was the younger disciple, Mark or John?

Question: Who was the younger disciple, Mark or John? Answer: There isn’t enough information in the Bible to say. John was old enough to be working as a fisherman with his brother and father (Matthew 4:21). Some suspect, though it cannot be proven, that Mark mentions himself in his account (Mark 14:51). But the word…

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Was Mark Peter’s son?

Question: In I Peter 5:13 Peter said, “The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus, my son.” Since Peter was married, could Marcus be his son? Answer: It wasn’t unusual for preachers who worked closely with younger men, who would eventually succeed them, to refer to them…

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The Genuineness of Mark 16:9-20

by Dudley Ross Spears The last verses from Mark’s gospel, (Mark 16:9-20) have been called “The Longer Ending of Mark.” The first time I came across this criticism it was in response to quoting verses 15 and 16. Mark 16:16 affirms, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believes not…

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Why did it take 35-40 years to write the Gospels?

Question: What was the reason for John, Mark, Luke, and Matthew writing their gospels? Why did it take 35-40 years after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus to begin to write the gospels or the rest of the New Testament? Answer: As for the purpose of the gospel accounts, see “The Four Gospels.” As to…

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The Authenticity of Mark 16:9-20

by Jim Snapps II “Does Mark 16:9-20 belong in the Bible?” The church has answered “Yes” for centuries. Many in the church still do. But in the 1800s, scholars questioned the originality of these 12 verses. Many scholars today take it for granted that the Gospel of Mark originally did not contain this passage. Its style and…

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Is Mark 16:9-20 Spurious or Genuine?

by Howard See Truth Magazine XIX: 29, pp. 454-455, May 29, 1975 In a recent, late-night television interview of a snake-handling preacher from East Tennessee, the text of Mark 16:9-20 was attacked as being spurious. This was an effort to try to offset the teaching in Mark 16:18, “‘They shall take up serpents; and if they…

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Is Mark 16:9-20 genuine?

Question: Does Mark 16:9-20 really belong in our Bibles? Answer: “Is Mark 16:9-20 Spurious or Genuine?” by Howard See is an excellent review of the question.  For details on the question, see The Authenticity of Mark 16:9-20 by Jim Snapp. “Some Bible scholars doubt the authenticity of 16:9-20, insisting that Mark did not write this portion. These verses are…

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