Mark 16: Resurrection & afterwards
[Preliminary Note: This final chapter records the report of Jesus’ resurrection and then seems to end abruptly. However, there is then a postscript that seem to summarize other sightings of Jesus and what followed. See the final notes.]
v.1-8 Jesus Has Risen
v.1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body.
v.2,3 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”
v.4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.
v.5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
v.6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.
v.7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
v.8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
[Note: The next morning ‘the women’ go to anoint Jesus’ body but wonder about how to get in, yet when they arrived they found the stone had been rolled away and in the cave they encounter an angel who reassures them and instructs them to tell the disciples, and they leave. The End! ]
v.9-20 Postscript
[The earliest manuscripts and some other ancient witnesses do not have verses 9–20.]
v.9-11 Mary Magdalene’s account
v.9 When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons.
v.10 She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping.
v.11 When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.
[Note: A summary – Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene who told the others but they struggled to believe her.]
v.12,13 The Emmaus Road witnesses
v.12 Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country.
v.13 These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.
[Note: Yet Jesus appeared to two others [on road to Emmaus – Lk 24:13-] who told the others who still struggled to believe
v.14,15 Jesus appears to the others and instructs them
v.14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
v.15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
[Note: Jesus then appeared to the eleven and instructed them to tell the world.]
v.16-18 The life of believers
v.16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
v.17,18 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
[Note: Belief will bring salvation and miraculous signs will accompany believers.]
v.19,20 The Ascension and afterwards
v.19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.
v.20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
(Note: After this Jesus ascended into heaven then the disciples obeyed, and the Lord confirmed it by signs and wonders
Although these latter verses don’t appear in some ancient manuscripts, they do record the same things as found elsewhere in the New Testament.]
For those who may wish to make a study of this chapter, to perhaps think some more about what you have been reading, use the link below: