Abstract: A surgical suturing instrument has an elongated housing forming a stationary jaw and a movable jaw formed with a holder for a suture filament and pivotal on the housing between a closed position closely juxtaposed with the stationary jaw and an open position spaced therefrom. A first actuating member displaceable in the housing is coupled to the movable jaw for moving it between its positions. A needle is movable in the housing between a position recessed in the housing and an extended position projecting crosswise from the housing to the movable jaw in the open position thereof. A second actuating member displaceable in the housing independently of the first actuating member is coupled to the needle for moving it between its positions.