Mark16

After the Sabbath, women found Jesus' tomb empty, and an angel announced His resurrection, instructing them to tell the disciples. Jesus then appeared to Mary Magdalene and later to the eleven disciples, rebuking their unbelief. He commissioned them to preach the gospel to all the world, promising accompanying signs, before ascending into heaven. The disciples subsequently went forth, preaching everywhere with divine confirmation.
Listen to this chapter
0:00 0:00

The Empty Tomb Discovered

1
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could go and anoint the body of Jesus. ​
2
Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they went to the tomb. ​
3
They were asking one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance of the tomb?”
4
But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, even though it was extremely large.
5
When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
6
But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here! See the place where they put Him. ​
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.’” ​
8
So the women left the tomb and ran away, trembling and bewildered. And in their fear they did not say a word to anyone. ​

Appearances to His Disciples

9
Early on the first day of the week, after Jesus had risen, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had driven out seven demons. ​
10
She went and told those who had been with Him, who were mourning and weeping.
11
And when they heard that Jesus was alive and she had seen Him, they did not believe it. ​
12
After this, Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them as they walked along in the country.
13
And they went back and reported it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.

The Great Commission and the Ascension

14
Later, as they were eating, Jesus appeared to the Eleven and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. ​
15
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. ​
16
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. ​
17
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; ​
18
they will pick up snakes with their hands, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well.” ​
19
After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. ​
20
And they went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked through them, confirming His word by the signs that accompanied it. ​

Study Notes for Mark 16

Verse 1

The women purchased spices immediately after the Sabbath ended at sunset on Saturday, intending to complete the burial rites for Jesus’ body, demonstrating their devotion.

Verse 2

The phrase 'first day of the week' establishes the day of Jesus’ resurrection, which quickly became the central day of worship for early Christians (Sunday).

Verse 6

This is the central announcement of the Christian faith. The angel identifies Jesus by his crucifixion (past) and confirms his resurrection (present), proving the victory over death.

Verse 7

The specific mention of 'Peter' is a gracious act of restoration, singling out the disciple who had recently denied Jesus three times (Mark 14:66-72). The meeting in Galilee was promised earlier (Mark 14:28).

Verse 8

This verse concludes what is widely considered the original ending of Mark’s Gospel. The women's silence, due to fear and amazement, creates a dramatic and abrupt conclusion, which subsequent verses (9-20) were later added to resolve.

Verse 9

Verses 9-20, known as the 'Longer Ending,' are absent from some of the oldest and most reliable manuscripts. They were likely added later to provide a summary of post-resurrection events and the Great Commission, consistent with other Gospels.

Verse 11

The disciples’ persistent 'unbelief'—even in the face of eyewitness testimony—is a recurring theme in Mark, stressing the necessity of faith to recognize the risen Christ.

Verse 14

Jesus rebukes the Eleven for their 'hardness of heart,' emphasizing that rejecting the verified testimony of those who had seen the risen Christ was a profound failure of faith.

Verse 15

This command, the Great Commission, defines the universal scope of the church's mission: the gospel must be proclaimed to 'all the world' and 'every creature' (or 'all creation').

Verse 16

Salvation is conditioned upon both belief in the gospel message and the obedience of baptism. Conversely, unbelief is the decisive factor leading to condemnation.

Verse 17

These miraculous 'signs' were promised to accompany and authenticate the preaching of the early believers, validating the divine origin of the message (cf. Heb. 2:4).

Verse 18

These specific signs emphasize the supernatural protection afforded to missionaries engaged in dangerous work, confirming the power of God accompanying their ministry (cf. Paul handling a viper in Acts 28:3-6).

Verse 19

The Ascension marks the end of Jesus’ physical earthly ministry. To be seated 'on the right hand of God' signifies his exaltation, authority, and ongoing rule as King and High Priest.

Verse 20

This final verse summarizes the success of the apostolic mission. The Lord actively collaborated with the disciples, using 'signs' to confirm and establish the truth of the preached word.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options