if the ending of Mark 16 was lacking as you SAY, Then rip out of your Bible. But I would ask you why is it there, in Mark 16:15-18
AND in the KJV , NIV, NASB, RSV, and the ASV all have is so, why?
And if it is not there what about the words that are written?
5 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the [c]gospel to the whole creation. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned. 17 And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with [d]new tongues; 18 they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Was anything here that was added as you are suggesting not Biblical?
Do any of the other Gospel writings say contextually what is here in Mark 16:15-18?
Did Jesus say anything similar in any other Gospel?
You believe that Mark chapter 16 end at verse 14 with these words:
"Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. "
Well, let's look at if Mark 16:15-18 that can't be found in the manuscripts, can be found in other writings of the Gospels, shall we.
Scripture interprets scripture.
- Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
- Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
- Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
- Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Your comment is very telling as to why you have a bias and I might add and error in your biblical understanding.
You look at Mark 16:15-18 and say
"It is inconsistent with the rest of Mark and the whole of scripture. "
NO, IT IS NOT. You look at the word of God to discredit and support your bias, but did not ask in the light of all the other translation why is it still there?
Because Mark 16:15-18 does not take away from the context of the word of God and The Apostles did do everything that Jesus is believed to have said in MARK 16:15-18 AND YOU CAN FIND IT IN THE BOOK OF ACTS.
So, you go right ahead and rip out Mark 16:15-28, and if you level it is you are a hypocrite with bias and if you take it out you know more than all the other translations that left it. Which makes you prideful and foolish.