Mark 10:45: Ending the Authenticity Debate

Using textual criticism, this paper seeks to end the authenticity debate of Mark 10:45 by reviewing the works of Bultmann, Bousset, Loisy and Branscomb, that Mark 10:45 is an effort of the early Church tradition or a highly developed theological version of Luke’s version (22:7) and influenced by Galatians. 3:13, Romans. 3:24 and 1 Corinthians 7:23. Findings have it that Mark 10:45is authentic because it is the first written book amongst the synoptic gospels (70CE) as compared to Luke (85CE). It is therefore impossible that Mark 10:45 is a theological assertion of the latter Luke’s version (22:7). While the book of Galatians (C.E 48-64), Romans (A.D 57-59) and 1Corinthians (A.D 53-54) must have been written before Mark’s gospel, it is improper to assert that the Pauline school of thought had influenced Mark 10:45, when in actual sense, Apostle Paul confessed to have been influenced in 1Corinthians 15:3. How then will the apostle who was trained in the faith on the doctrines that were also delivered to him then turn around to influence Jesus saying in Mark 10:45?. And lastly, the current fourth edition of the Greek bible has no textual argument or criticism of a sort concerning Mark 10:45. This is an indication that all the ancient manuscripts that led to the composition of the New Testament writings, be it the Papri, the Uncials and the Minuscules do not have any parallel variations, omissions or commission on the verse under study, thus confirming Mark 10:45 to be authentic Key words: authenticity, Mark 10:45, son of man, ransom, to serve, Jesus Christ.