ONLINE: Last Twelve Verses of the Gospel According to Saint Mark Vindicated Against Recent Critical Objectors and Established (John William Burgon), At CCEL, Online at

Electronic Set B

Plot

The late 19th century marked a turning point in biblical criticism. B. F. Westcott and F. J. A. Hort compiled some of the oldest manuscripts of the New Testament. Their compilation has served as the template for almost every modern translation of the Bible. Because of this, people often forget that Westcott and Hort’s critical text faced considerable controversy. John Burgon was perhaps the fiercest enemy of the movement Westcott and Hort had begun. Among other “modifications,” Westcott and Hort had deleted the last twelve verses of Mark’s Gospel from their text because they did not appear in certain Greek originals. Burgon responded with this treatise, in which he seeks to reestablish the legitimacy of the verses. Today, many associate Burgon and his arguments with biblical inerrancy.

Kathleen O’Bannon
CCEL Staff