Mark 16:8

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.

And {G2532} they went out {G1831} quickly {G5035}, and fled {G5343} from {G575} the sepulchre {G3419}; for {G1161} they {G846} trembled {G2192}{G5156} and {G2532} were amazed {G1611}: neither {G2532} said they {G2036} any thing {G3762} to any {G3762} man; for {G1063} they were afraid {G5399}.

Trembling but ecstatic they went out and fled from the tomb, and they said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

So the women left the tomb and ran away, trembling and bewildered. And in their fear they did not say a word to anyone.

And they went out, and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them: and they said nothing to any one; for they were afraid.

Commentary

Mark 16:8 (KJV) describes the immediate, profound reaction of the women—Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome—after encountering an angel at the empty tomb of Jesus. Having just heard the astonishing news of Christ's resurrection, their response was one of overwhelming fear, astonishment, and initial silence.

Context

This verse concludes what many scholars consider the original, abrupt ending of the Gospel of Mark. The women had gone to the sepulchre early on the first day of the week to anoint Jesus' body, only to find the stone rolled away and a young man (an angel) inside who declared, "He is risen; he is not here." The angel instructed them to tell Peter and the disciples that Jesus would meet them in Galilee. Mark 16:8 captures their immediate, raw, and human reaction to this incredible, world-altering revelation, highlighting the shock value of the resurrection message.

Key Themes

  • Fear and Awe: The women's trembling (Greek: tromos) and amazement (Greek: ekstasis, a state of being "out of oneself" due to intense emotion) highlight the overwhelming nature of their encounter. This is a common biblical response to divine revelation, signifying both terror and profound reverence. It's not necessarily a negative fear, but one born of encountering the holy and miraculous, especially after such a traumatic event as Jesus' crucifixion.
  • The Resurrection's Impact: The empty tomb and the angel's message were so utterly unexpected and monumental that they initially paralyzed the women. Their flight and silence underscore the sheer magnitude of the resurrection truth, which defied all human expectation and experience. This event fundamentally changed the course of history and the understanding of God's plan.
  • Human Response to the Divine: The verse powerfully illustrates the initial human inability to fully process or articulate such a profound divine intervention. Their silence, born of fear (Greek: phobos), was a temporary state before they eventually shared the good news, as seen in other Gospel accounts (e.g., Matthew 28:8, where they run to tell the disciples). This initial silence emphasizes the profound impact of the resurrection discovery.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "amazed" is ekstasis, from which we derive "ecstasy." It implies a state of being utterly overwhelmed, almost beside oneself, by what they had witnessed and heard. This goes beyond simple surprise; it describes a profound shock that temporarily incapacitates normal speech or action. The term "trembled" (tromos) signifies a physical manifestation of this intense fear and awe, often associated with the presence of God or His messengers.

Practical Application

Mark 16:8 reminds us that encountering profound spiritual truth, especially the reality of God's power and promises, can evoke a powerful, even unsettling, reaction. It's natural to feel overwhelmed or even fearful in the face of the truly miraculous or divine. This verse validates such human responses. However, it also implicitly sets the stage for the next step: moving beyond initial shock to embracing and proclaiming the truth. Just as the women eventually shared the news of the resurrection, so too are believers called to move from personal awe to sharing the transformative message of Jesus, the resurrection and the life, with a world in need.

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Cross-References

  • Luke 24:9

    And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.

  • Luke 24:11

    And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.

  • Luke 24:37

    But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

  • Mark 16:5

    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.

  • Mark 16:6

    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.

  • Matthew 28:8

    And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

  • Luke 24:22

    Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;