Part III
J. Reuben Clark’s 16 points
J. Reuben Clark’s 16 points
This post is based on a talk given by Apostle J. Reuben Clark in 1954 (“Our Bible,” General Conference, April 1954). In it he outlines 16 differences between the Received text (essentially the King James Version) and the Revised texts (represented by the Revised Standard Version). This talk is included in the Resource Edition CD-ROM of the official LDS scriptures. Elder Clark’s talk compares only NT passages.
I have listed the verses from Elder Clark’s sixteen points as they are found in the KJV, NASB, NIV, ASV, RSV (1946 and 1971), and ESV for comparison. At the end of this post there is a summary of the results in a pass/fail format. My criteria for pass/fail is consistency with the corresponding KJV passage. Elder Clark also brings up points of dispute with some of the RSV footnotes because they cast doubt on the validity of traditional interpretation. I have not considered the footnotes in my evaluation.
The first and second edition (the 1946 NT and 1971 respectively) of the RSV are given for comparison. The second edition restores several passages which were omitted from the 1946 edition--omissions which Elder Clark (in 1954) criticized. I have included the footnotes from the NIV and RSV (1946), and also a few from the NASB.
The first edition RSV was not well received by conservatives. Elder Clark’s reaction is similar to that of many conservative evangelicals. Here are a few comments from some of the faculty of the Dallas Theological Seminary who reviewed the RSV (Bibliotheca Sacra, Vol. 110, Jan. 1953, pp. 50-66).
“There are two very obvious but nevertheless weighty reasons for condemning this version as an unreliable and unacceptable translation for the reverent Bible-loving Christian […] “[the committee] depart[ed] from the true doctrine in: …denial of the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus…The refusal to concede the full deity of Jesus Christ…The contradiction of the truth of the divine Trinity… questioning of the authenticity of the Gospel of John…” (C. P. Lincoln, A.M., Th.D.).
“There are two fatal weaknesses in the Revised Standard Version of the Old Testament which inevitably make it unacceptable to evangelical Christians. The first is its attitude toward the reliability of the Hebrew or Massoretic Text of the Old Testament; the second is its method of translating that Text” (Merrill F. Unger, Th.D., Ph.D.).
“…the Revised Standard Version is a translation which can never receive the approval of conservative scholars. The propagandists for the version showed their colors in seeking to obtain the acclaim and approval of the religious leaders before anyone had opportunity actually to examine the work, for they employed the technique of the band-wagon” (J. Ellwood Evans, Th.D.).
The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) was published in 1990. At which point the RSV had obtained only about 5 percent of the Bible market share (here), compared to 40 percent for the NIV and about 20 percent for the KJV.
One of Elder Clark’s criticisms is that Luke 22:20 is left out of the RSV (‘46). This passages mentions the atoning blood of Christ. It reads, “[He took] Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you” (KJV). Defenders of the RSV would point out that Matthew 26:28 of the RSV (‘46) does mention the blood of Jesus: “for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (RSV, Mat 26:28), in addition to Ephesians 1:7 and Romans 5:9. So the doctrine of the atoning blood of Jesus was not omitted from the RSV. Another criticism against the RSV--one that Elder Clark does not mention in his 16 points, but was likely concerned about--is that the OT is not translated from a Christian perspective. For example Isaiah 7:14 reads “a young woman shall conceive and bear a son” as opposed to “a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son” in the KJV. Defenders of the RSV would argue that translating it as “young woman” does not prohibit one from believing in the virgin birth. But whatever the RSV defenders may say, translating this passage to read “young woman” does accommodate doubt in the virgin birth.
Anyone who wants to compare these passages can use Bible Gateway (here). This site, however, does not have the RSV--very few have it. To consult the 1971 RSV see here.
1. Elimination of the word miracle: “the Extreme Textualists rule out the whole of the so-called miraculous elements of the New Testament…they have eliminated the word miracle whenever it occurs [in the NT].”
KJV, Mark 6:52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.
(ASV) for they understood not concerning the loaves, but their heart was hardened.
(ESV) for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
(NASB) for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened.
(NIV) for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.
(RSV ‘71) for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
(RSV ‘46) [same as ‘71]
The word “miracle” in KJV
Mark 6:52; 9:39;
Luke 23:8
John 4:54; 6:14; 10:41; 12:18
Use the word “miracle” or “miraculous sign”
ASV: Luke 23:8
NASB: Mark 9:39
NIV: Mark 9:39; Luke 23:8; John 4:54; 6:14; 10:41; 12:18
Use the word “sign”
ASV: John 4:54; 6:14; 10:41; 12:18
NASB: Luke 23:8; John 4:54; 6:14; 10:41; 12:18
ESV: Luke 23:8; John 4:54; 6:14; 10:41; 12:18
RSV: Luke 23:8; John 4:54; 6:14; 10:41; 12:18
Use the words “mighty work”
ASV, ESV, RSV: Mark 9:39
Where “incident”, “about”, or “concerning” is used
NIV, NASB, RSV, ESV, ASV: Mark 6:52
Note: in Mark 6:52 (KJV) the words “the miracle” are italicized. In the KJV (and other versions) italics are used to indicate words which are not found in the original Greek text--other translations use brackets, footnotes, or a combination of italics and brackets.
Note: the word miracle is found only once in the 1971 RSV, in Exodus 7:9.
2. The virgin birth: “the Revisionists have so manipulated the account of the birth of Jesus…as to give ground for the contention that the virgin birth of Jesus is a myth.”
KJV, Matt. 1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
(ASV) and knew her not till she had brought forth a son: and he called his name JESUS.
(ESV) but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
(NASB) but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.
(NIV) But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
(RSV ‘71) but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.
(RSV ‘46) [Same as ‘71]
3. Message of the heavenly host: “the Revisionists have changed the sense and scope of the message from a greeting and blessing to all men, to a message to a restricted few. Christ’s mission was for all men.”
KJV, Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
(ASV) Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased.
(ESV) “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
(NASB) “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
(NIV) “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
(RSV ‘71) “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!”
(RSV ‘46) [Same as ‘71]
Note: the RSV (1946) footnote reads, “Other ancient authorities read peace, goodwill among men.”
4. The Son of God: “the Revisionists have a marginal note that casts doubt upon the phrase, ‘The Son of God.’”
KJV, Mark 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
(ASV) The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
(ESV) The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
(NASB) The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
(NIV) The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
(RSV ‘71) The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
(RSV ‘46) [Same as ‘71]
Note: the RSV (1946) footnote reads, “Other ancient authorities omit The Son of God.”
Note: the NIV footnote reads, “Some manuscripts do not have the Son of God.”
5. Christ the creator: “the Revisionists have cast a doubt on these passages by a marginal note which adds an alternative reading.”
KJV, John 1:3-4 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
(ASV) All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
(ESV) All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
(NASB) All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
(NIV) Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
(RSV ‘71) all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
(RSV ‘46) [Same as ‘71]
Note: the RSV (1946) footnote reads, “Or was not anything made. That which has been made was life in him.”
6. The Son of Man which is in Heaven: “[the RSV] leaves these words out of the text and adds a note which says: ‘Other ancient authorities add who is in heaven.’”
KJV, John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
(ASV) And no one hath ascended into heaven, but he that descended out of heaven, even the Son of man, who is in heaven.
(ESV) No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. [NA]
(NASB) “No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man. [NA]
(NIV) No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven--the Son of Man. [NA]
(RSV ‘71) No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man. [NA]
(RSV ‘46) [Same as ‘71]
Note: the RSV (1946) footnote reads, “Other ancient authorities add who is in heaven.”
Note: the NIV footnote reads, “Some manuscripts Man, who is in heaven.”
7. The Lord’s prayer: “We miss…those great sanctifying words that ended the prayer: ‘For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, or ever. Amen.’”
KJV, Matt. 6:9-13 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
(ASV) After this manner therefore pray ye. Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. [NA]
(ESV) Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [NA]
(NASB) “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. ‘Give us this day our daily bread. ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]’
(NIV) “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’ [NA]
(RSV ‘71) Pray then like this: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. [NA]
(RSV ‘46) [Same as ‘71]
Note: the RSV (1946) footnote reads, “Other authorities, some ancient, add, in some form, For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever .Amen.”
Note: the NIV footnote reads, “Or from evil; some late manuscripts one, / for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
KJV, Luke 11:2-4 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
(ASV) And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Father [NA], Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. [NA] Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we ourselves also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And bring us not into temptation. [NA]
(ESV) And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father [NA], hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. [NA] Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.” [NA]
(NASB) And He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father [NA], hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. [NA] ‘Give us each day our daily bread. ‘And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.’“ [NA]
(NIV) He said to them, “When you pray, say: “ ‘Father [NA], hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. [NA] Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’ “
(RSV, ‘71) And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father [NA], hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. [NA] Give us each day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive every one who is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation.” [NA]
(RSV, ‘46) [Same as ‘71]
Note: NIV footnote reads, “some manuscripts Our Father in Heaven” and “Some manuscripts come. May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
8. The Institution of the Sacrament: “Thus the [RSV] practically completely eliminates from Luke’s account of the institution of the sacrament, the portion dealing with the atoning blood.”
KJV, Luke 22:19-20 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
(ASV) And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave to them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. And the cup in like manner after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, even that which is poured out for you.
(ESV) And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
(NASB) And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.
(NIV) And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
(RSV ‘71) And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after supper, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”
(RSV ‘46) And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “this is my body.” [verse 20 in footnote]
Note: the RSV (1946) footnote reads, “Other ancient authorities add which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. 20 And likewise the cup after supper, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood .”
9. Casting out evil spirits: “‘Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.’[…] This declaration of Matthew is omitted in all the revisions (including the latest).”
KJV, Matt. 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
(ASV) But this kind goeth not out save by prayer and fasting.
(ESV) [But this kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting.]
(NASB) [“But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”]
(NIV) [Omitted]
(RSV ‘71) [Omitted]
(RSV ‘46) [Omitted]
Note: the RSV (1946) footnote reads, “Other ancient authorities insert verse 21, “but this kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting”
Note: the NIV footnote reads, “Some manuscripts you. 21 but this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
Note: brackets are used to indicate that some Greek manuscripts to not have this passage. In the ASV this is indicated with italics.
10. The Son of Man is come to save: “The revisions omit this verse entirely from their text”
KJV, Matt. 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
(ASV) For the Son of man came to save that which was lost.
(ESV) [For the Son of Man came to save the lost.]
(NASB) [“For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.”]
(NIV) [Omitted]
(RSV ‘71) [Omitted]
(RSV ‘46) [Omitted]
Note: the RSV (1946) footnote reads, “Other ancient authorities add verse 11, For the Son of man came to save the lost.”
Note: the NIV footnote reads, “Some manuscripts heaven. 10 the son of Man came to save what was lost.”
Note: brackets (ESV, NASB) are used to indicate that many Greek manuscripts to not have this passage. In the ASV this is indicated with italics.
Note: NASB footnote reads, “Early mss do not contain this v.”
11. Agony in the garden and the ministering angel: “[the revisions] add their doubt-raising marginal note, in their conventional form: ‘Many ancient authorities omit ver, 43, 44,’.”
KJV, Luke 22:43-44 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
(ASV) And there appeared unto him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became as it were great drops of blood falling down upon the ground.
(ESV) And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
(NASB) Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.
(NIV) An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
(RSV ‘71) [Omitted]
(RSV ‘46) And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground.
Note: the RSV (1946) footnote reads, “Other ancient authorities omit verses 43 and 44.”
Note: the NIV footnote reads, “Some early manuscripts do not have verses 43 and 44.”
12. The words on the cross: “the revisions…add the customary doubt-raising marginal note, ‘Some ancient authorities omit And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’”
KJV, Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
(ASV) And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And parting his garments among them, they cast lots.
(ESV) And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
(NASB) But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.
(NIV) Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
(RSV ‘71) And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
(RSV ‘46) [Same as ‘71]
Note: the RSV (1946) footnote reads, “Other ancient authorities omit the sentence and Jesus . . . what they do.”
Note: the NIV footnote reads, “Some early manuscripts do not have this sentence.”
13. Christ’s salutation to the apostles in the upper chamber: “[the RSV has] entirely omitted the phrase from the printed text, and print a marginal note: ‘Other ancient authorities add and said to them, ‘Peace to you!’”
KJV, Luke 24:36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
(ASV) And as they spake these things, he himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
(ESV) As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!”
(NASB) While they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be to you.”
(NIV) While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
(RSV ‘71) As they were saying this, Jesus himself stood among them. [NA]
(RSV ‘46) [Same as ‘71]
Note: the RSV (1946) footnote reads, “Other ancient authorities add and said to them, “Peace to you!”
14. Christ displays his hands and feet: “[the RSV] omits this passage from the text and adds a marginal note reading: “Other ancient authorities add verse 40, And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.”
KJV, Luke 24:40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
(ASV) And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.
(ESV) And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.
(NASB) And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.
(NIV) When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet.
(RSV ‘71) [Omitted]
(RSV ‘46) [Omitted]
Note: the RSV (1946) footnote reads, “Other ancient authorities add verse 40, And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.”
15. Conjectural Emendations: “This emendation [as rendered in the RSV] sufficiently establishes the unreliability of the Revised Standard Version, so far as the Latter-day Saints are concerned.”
KJV, Jude 1:6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
(ASV) And angels that kept not their own principality, but left their proper habitation, he hath kept in everlasting bonds under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
(ESV) And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day--
(NASB) And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day,
(NIV) And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home--these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.
(RSV) And the angels that did not keep their own position but left their proper dwelling have been kept by him in eternal chains in the nether gloom until the judgment of the great day;
16. The Last Twelve Verses of Mark: “The Revised Standard Version…omits these verses from the text and prints them as a marginal note, beginning: ‘Other texts and versions add as 16:9-20 the following passage:…’”
KJV, Mark 16:9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.
12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.
13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.
14 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.
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
ASV, Mark 16:9 Now when he was risen early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.
10 She went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
11 And they, when they heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, disbelieved.
12 And after these things he was manifested in another form unto two of them, as they walked, on their way into the country.
13 And they went away and told it unto the rest: neither believed they them.
14 And afterward he was manifested unto the eleven themselves as they sat at meat; and he upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them that had seen him after he was risen.
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the 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 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.
19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken unto them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen.
ESV, Mark 16:9 [[Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.
10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
11 But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.
12 After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country.
13 And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.
14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.
15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.
20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.]]
Note: the brackets are original to the ESV and indicate that some manuscripts do not have this passage.
NASB , Mark 16:9 [Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to May Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons.
10 She went and reported to those who had been with Him, while they were mourning and weeping.
11 When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they refused to believe it.
12 After that, He appeared in a different from to two of them while they were walking along on their way to the country.
13 They went away and reported it to the others, but they did not believe them either.
14 Afterward He appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table; and He reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen.
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
16 He who had believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who had disbelieve shall be condemned.
17 These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues;
18 They will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
19 So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.
20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.’] [b And they promptly reported all these instructions to Peter and his companions. And after that, Jesus Himself sent out through them from east to west the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation.]
NASB footnote a: “Later mss add vv 9-20”
NASB footnote b: “A few late mss and versions contain this paragraph, usually after v. 8; a few have it at the end of ch”
Note: the brackets are original to the NASB and indicate that some manuscripts do not have this passage.
NIV, Mark 16:9 When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons.
10 She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping.
11 When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.
12 Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country.
13 These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.
14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.
16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.
20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
Note: Placed inline with the biblical text and just before these verse is: “The most reliable early manuscripts and other ancient witnesses do not have Mark 16:9-20.”
RSV ‘71, Mark 16:9 Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.
10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
11 But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.
12 After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country.
13 And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.
14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they sat at table; and he upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.
15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.
16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen.
RSV ‘46 [verses 9-20 placed in footnote; reads same as 1971]
Note: the RSV (1946) footnote in addition to quoting verses 9-20 says, “Other ancient authorities add after verse 8 the following: But they reported briefly to Peter and those with him all that they had been told. And after this, Jesus himself sent out by means of them, from east to west, the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation.” This passage is added to the text of the NASB.
| NKJV | ASV | ESV | NASB | NIV | RSV '71 | ||||
| 1 | Elimination of the word miracle (F/P) | 5/2 | 6/1 | 0/7 | 6/1 | 1/6 | 0/7 | ||
| 2 | Virgin birth | P | F | F | P | F | F | ||
| 3 | Message of the Heavenly Host | P | F | F | F | F | F | ||
| 4 | The Son of God | P | P | P | P | P | P | ||
| 5 | Christ the creator | P | P | P | P | P | P | ||
| 6 | The Son of Man who is in Heaven | P | P | F | F | F | F | ||
| 7 | The Lord's Prayer | P/P | F/F | F/F | P/F | F/F | F/F | ||
| 8 | The Institution of the Sacrament | P | P | P | P | P | P | ||
| 9 | Casting Out Evil Spirits | P | P | P | P | F | F | ||
| 10 | The Son of Man is Come to Save | P | P | P | P | F | F | ||
| 11 | Agony in the Garden | ||||||||
| and the Ministering Angel | P | P | P | P | P | F | |||
| 12 | The Words on the Cross | P | P | P | P | P | P | ||
| 13 | Christ's Salutation | P | P | P | P | P | F | ||
| 14 | Christ Displays His hands and Feet | P | P | P | P | P | F | ||
| 15 | Conjectural Emendations | F | F | F | F | F | F | ||
| 16 | The Last Twelve Verses of Mark | P | P | P | P | P | P | ||
| Sum F: | 6 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 18 | |||
| Sum P: | 17 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 5 |
Note: As an afterthought I have included the NKJV in the above table.
#1 KJV
#2 NKJV
#3 NIV
#4 NASB
#5 ASV
#6 ESV
#7 RSV '71
#8 RSV '46
