These Signs… | Mark Chapter 16, Is It Part of Scripture?

Was Mark 16:9–20 truly part of Scripture — or a later addition?
Join Patrick Hoban in this compelling episode of The Great Perspective as he examines one of the most controversial passages in the New Testament.

Many claim that the “longer ending of Mark” was added centuries later — but the evidence from the early Church Fathers tells a different story. From the 2nd to 6th centuries, Christian leaders repeatedly quoted, preached, and affirmed these verses as Scripture, testifying that the signs and wonders of the Holy Spirit never ceased.

Patrick explores what it means when Jesus said,

“These signs shall follow them that believe…”
and how God confirmed His Word with signs following — His divine “signature” upon the Gospel.

This episode challenges the modern Church to rediscover the authentic power of the Gospel, where faith and the Holy Spirit work together to bring transformation, healing, and deliverance.

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✝️ Historical Testimony of the Early Church Fathers

1️⃣ Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130–202 AD)
“Also, towards the conclusion of his Gospel, Mark says: ‘So then, after the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God.’”
— Against Heresies 3.10.5 (ANF 1:426)

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🕊️ Tatian (c. 120–180 AD) — Diatessaron
Tatian’s early Harmony of the Gospels includes the longer ending of Mark, fully integrating Mark 16:9–20 into his text.

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📖 Hippolytus of Rome (c. 170–235 AD)
“For when our Lord was taken up, after He had spoken to them, He sent forth the apostles, and they preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.”
— Fragment on the Holy Gospel of Mark (Frag. in MG 10:854)

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⛪️ Eusebius of Caesarea (c. 260–339 AD)
“The Lord, after He had delivered to them His words, was taken up into heaven and sat at the right hand of God; and the disciples went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.”
— Demonstratio Evangelica 3.6

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📜 Ambrose of Milan (c. 340–397 AD)
“He gave the command to His disciples to preach the Gospel, saying, ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved… and these signs shall follow them that believe.’”
— On the Holy Spirit 1.4.54 (PL 16:723)

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📚 Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD)
Augustine treated Mark 16:9–20 as canonical and referenced it multiple times:
“After His resurrection He said, ‘Go, preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved…’”
— On the Harmony of the Evangelists 3.25.75

“Those miracles were published everywhere, in which the same Lord worked with them, confirming the word by the signs that followed.”
— ibid.

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🕯️ Gregory the Great (540–604 AD)
In Homilies on the Gospels 29, Gregory cites Mark 16:17–18:
“These signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils, they shall speak with new tongues…”

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🌐 For more teachings and resources:

👉 PatrickHoban.com