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.
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.
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.
Overview of Mark Chapter 16
Mark Chapter 16 is the final chapter of the Gospel of Mark, which details the events following the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It encompasses the discovery of the empty tomb, the resurrection of Jesus, and the commissioning of the disciples to spread the Gospel. This chapter is significant in Christian theology as it encapsulates the core message of resurrection and evangelism.
Structure of the Chapter
The chapter can be divided into several key sections:
- Discovery of the Empty Tomb (Verses 1-8)
- Post-Resurrection Appearances of Jesus (Verses 9-14)
- The Great Commission (Verses 15-20)
Discovery of the Empty Tomb (Verses 1-8)
This section describes the events on the first day of the week after Jesus’ crucifixion. The women, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, go to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body.
- Preparation for Anointing: The women buy spices to anoint Jesus, indicating their devotion and the Jewish customs surrounding burial.
- Concern about the Stone: As they approach the tomb, they worry about who will roll away the stone, highlighting their human concerns and the finality of death.
- Encounter with the Angel: Upon arrival, they find the stone rolled away and are met by a young man in a white robe (an angel) who announces that Jesus has risen.
- Message of Resurrection: The angel instructs the women to tell the disciples and Peter that Jesus is going ahead of them to Galilee, emphasizing the importance of spreading the news of the resurrection.
- Fear and Amazement: The chapter ends with the women fleeing the tomb in fear and amazement, which reflects the awe-inspiring nature of the resurrection event.
Post-Resurrection Appearances of Jesus (Verses 9-14)
In these verses, the narrative shifts to Jesus’ appearances after his resurrection.
- First Appearance to Mary Magdalene: Jesus appears first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons, establishing her as a key witness to the resurrection.
- Mary’s Announcement: Mary goes to the disciples to inform them, but they do not believe her, illustrating the initial skepticism surrounding the resurrection.
- Appearance to Two Disciples: Jesus also appears to two disciples walking in the countryside, who return to report to the others, but again, they are met with disbelief.
- Rebuke of the Disciples: Later, Jesus appears to the eleven disciples and rebukes them for their lack of faith and stubbornness, emphasizing the importance of belief in the resurrection.
The Great Commission (Verses 15-20)
This section contains the commissioning of the disciples to spread the Gospel to all creation.
- Command to Preach: Jesus commands the disciples to go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation, emphasizing the universal nature of the Gospel.
- Signs that Accompany Believers: Jesus promises that those who believe will perform signs, such as casting out demons and speaking in new tongues, indicating the empowerment of believers through the Holy Spirit.
- Ascension of Jesus: The chapter concludes with Jesus ascending into heaven and sitting at the right hand of God, affirming his divine authority and the completion of his earthly ministry.
- Disciples’ Response: The disciples go out and preach everywhere, with the Lord working with them and confirming their message through accompanying signs, illustrating the fulfillment of Jesus’ commission.
Theological Implications
Mark Chapter 16 carries profound theological significance:
- Resurrection: The resurrection of Jesus is central to Christian faith, symbolizing victory over sin and death.
- Role of Women: The chapter highlights the crucial role of women in the resurrection narrative, challenging traditional gender roles in the early church.
- Great Commission: The command to evangelize underscores the mission of the church and the call for all believers to share the Gospel.
- Faith and Doubt: The initial disbelief of the disciples serves as a reminder of the struggle with faith and the need for divine revelation.
Conclusion
Mark Chapter 16 encapsulates the essence of the Christian message: the resurrection of Jesus and the call to spread this good news. It serves as a foundation for Christian belief and practice, emphasizing faith, evangelism, and the transformative power of the risen Christ.
