Annotation CXXXII

”But Jesus, rising early on the first [day] of the week.” — Mark 16:9

Whether the last chapter of Mark is of solid authority.

Thomas Cajetan is here censured by Ambrose [Catharinus] with such a rebuke: “Cajetan says that the last chapter of Mark is not of solid authority for establishing the faith, as the other undoubted [chapters] of Mark are, for the reason that some have at some time suspected that it was added. Therefore Scripture ought to waver at the suspicion of any men whatever! If the matter stands thus, what now will be firm concerning it? Besides, if this chapter is not proper to the gospel of Mark, it follows that the Church of Christ has the gospel of one Evangelist mutilated — and that indeed in the part which was most important, where the resurrection was treated, the narration of which most befitted Mark, who on account of the victory of the resurrection is designated by the lion. Who, unless he be a fool, would approve these [things]? Add [further] that this chapter, which these [men] call into doubt, the Church recites with a clear voice on two most solemn feasts — that is, on the holy day of Easter — and chants in the sacred temples under the title of Mark; and [as for] those who dare to say that [the Church] errs in such a matter, there is nothing which they cannot either assert or deny, as it pleases [them]. Wherefore they are rather to be despised than to be deemed worthy that you should contend with them.”