The Discovery of the Secret Gospel of Mark

In 1958, a significant discovery was made at the Mars Saba Monastery when Morton Smith found a manuscript that contained a letter from Clement of Alexandria. This letter alluded to a previously unknown spiritual gospel attributed to Mark, suggesting that there was an expanded edition that was later corrupted by a group of heretics known as the Carpocratians. Smith's initial authentication efforts involved meticulous examination of the manuscript's handwriting and its content to determine its authenticity while working under time constraints. His findings raised questions about the originality and implications of this secret gospel, captivating scholars and prompting further debate in biblical studies.