The Gospels · Chapter 16 of 16

Mark 16

When the sabbath is past, three women bring spices to anoint Jesus and wonder who will roll away the stone. They find it rolled back and a young man in white announcing that Jesus of Nazareth is risen. Trembling, they flee. The risen Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene and to others, who disbelieve. He commissions the eleven to preach the gospel to every creature, then ascends to God's right hand.

What happens in Mark 16

After the sabbath, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome buy spices to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day they come to the tomb, worrying who will roll away the great stone, but find it already rolled back. Inside, a young man in a long white garment tells them not to be afraid: Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified, is risen and not here. He shows them the empty place and sends them to tell the disciples and Peter that Jesus goes before them into Galilee.

The women flee trembling and amazed. Jesus appears first to Mary Magdalene, who tells the mourning disciples, but they do not believe. He appears to two others walking, likewise disbelieved, then to the eleven at table, rebuking their unbelief. He commissions them to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, promising signs to follow. Then the Lord is received up into heaven and sits at God's right hand, and the disciples go forth preaching everywhere.

Mark 16 in context

Mark's resurrection account is brief and, in the earliest manuscripts, ends abruptly at the women's fear. The longer ending, verses 9 through 20, summarizes appearances also recorded in the other Gospels and adds the commission and ascension.

Whether original or an early addition, it affirms the resurrection witnessed throughout the New Testament. The women again come as first witnesses, faithful to the end and the dawn.

Main themes of Mark 16

Mark 16 (KJV)

1And 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. 2And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. 3And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? 4And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. 5And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. 6And 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. 7But 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. 8And 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. 9Now 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. 10And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. 12After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. 13And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. 14Afterward 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. 15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18They 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. 19So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Verses to carry from Mark 16

“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.”Mark 16:6

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”Mark 16:15

“So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.”Mark 16:19

Reflection

The women came to the tomb burdened by a question they could not solve: who would move the stone? They found it already rolled away. Some of the obstacles you dread this morning may already be handled by the God who arrives ahead of you.

A prayer from Mark 16