The shorter ending of Mark's gospel

[Subrosa]

While reading the gospel of Mark (NAB), I came across an interesting fact. The gospel has two endings; a longer one and a shorter one.

What is interesting about the shorter one is what it says:

[And they reported all the instructions briefly to Peter’s companions. Afterwards Jesus himself, through them, sent forth from east to west the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation. Amen.]

Here is a document that purports to provide some history of this ending…
www-user.uni-bremen.de/~wie/TCG/TC-Mark-Ends.pdf

When reading it, one realizes that the “companions” mentioned in the passage are the rest of the apostles, in light of the longer ending. It also seems to me that it supports the contention that Peter was “chief” apostle, which in turn supports the position of Pope as authoritative head of Christs church.

What do you think?
With Christ,
Subrosa

 

[Della]

Well, it certainly doesn’t conflict with Peter’s primacy, and does lend some support, but it doesn’t come right out and declare Peter the first among the Apostles, which is what it would take for many Protestants to see it that way.

 

[copland]

I never did notice that perspective before about the support of Peter’s primacy in the shorter ending. I always studied the textual criticism aspect of it. Thanks!

 

[dancus]

Subrosa:

While reading the gospel of Mark (NAB), I came across an interesting fact. The gospel has two endings; a longer one and a shorter one.

What is interesting about the shorter one is what it says:

With Christ,
Subrosa

What is really more interesting is the fact it wasn’t “discovered” untl the 8th Century. I’ve often wondered why?