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.
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The Empty Tomb Discovered

1
And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. ​
2
And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. ​
3
And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?
4
And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.
5
And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
6
And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. ​
7
But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. ​
8
And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid. ​

Appearances to His Disciples

9
Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. ​
10
And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
11
And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. ​
12
After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.
13
And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.

The Great Commission and the Ascension

14
Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. ​
15
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. ​
16
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. ​
17
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; ​
18
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. ​
19
So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. ​
20
And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. ​

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.

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