Ad Fontes: New Images and the Exoneration of Morton Smith

In the annals of biblical scholarship, few controversies have stirred as much debate as the discovery of the Secret Gospel of Mark by Morton Smith. Found in 1958 at the Mar Saba monastery in Jerusalem, this alleged letter attributed to Clement of Alexandria has been both hailed as a groundbreaking find and derided as a clever forgery. Over the decades, scholars like Quentin Quesnell have dedicated themselves to unraveling the mystery surrounding this enigmatic document.

Quesnell, the Roe/Straut Professor of the Humanities Emeritus at Smith College, played a pivotal role in challenging the authenticity of the Letter to Theodore, purportedly penned by Clement himself. His skepticism, initially sparked by the suspicious nature of the photographs taken by Morton Smith, led to a decades-long investigation that reshaped the discourse on early Christian texts.

In 1975, Quesnell publicly voiced his reservations about the document's legitimacy, igniting a firestorm of scholarly scrutiny. Many experts, following Quesnell’s lead, echoed his doubts, questioning both the content and the circumstances of its discovery. Central to their skepticism was the notion that Morton Smith possessed the skill and opportunity to fabricate such a text—a claim bolstered by Quesnell's meticulous analysis and his intimate understanding of the manuscript’s context.

However, the plot thickened in 1983 when Smith College, where Quesnell taught, financed his journey to Jerusalem. During this visit, Quesnell gained firsthand access to the document and ordered new photographs, meticulously instructed by Kallistos Dourvas, the chief librarian of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchal library in Jerusalem. These detailed instructions, preserved in the Smith College Archives, reveal Quesnell’s determination to scrutinize the manuscript's authenticity through careful examination of its pages and comparative analysis with other ancient texts.

In the months preceding his passing in 2012, Quesnell corresponded extensively with scholar Stephan Huller, sharing insights gleaned from his 1983 expedition and his ongoing research into the Mar Saba manuscript. Huller, recognizing the significance of Quesnell’s findings, facilitated the preservation of his papers and photographs, ensuring that Quesnell’s meticulous documentation would contribute to future scholarly endeavors.

Among the treasures unearthed from Quesnell’s archives were nine photographic slides, each a testament to his scholarly rigor and unwavering pursuit of truth. These slides, meticulously annotated and captured according to Quesnell’s exacting standards, provide a visual record of his examination and serve as a vital resource for scholars continuing to probe the authenticity of the Secret Gospel of Mark.

Quesnell’s legacy endures not only in his critical appraisal of Morton Smith’s discovery but also in his commitment to academic integrity and meticulous scholarship. His efforts, fueled by a relentless pursuit of truth, have not only reshaped scholarly interpretations of early Christian texts but also underscored the enduring importance of rigorous inquiry in the face of historical mysteries.

As we reflect on Quesnell’s journey—from skepticism to meticulous documentation—we are reminded of the enduring quest to uncover the truth buried within ancient texts. The discovery of new images and the preservation of Quesnell’s insights herald a new chapter in the ongoing saga of the Secret Gospel of Mark—a saga where each discovery brings us closer to the elusive truth hidden within the sands of time.