Mark 16
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1When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint him. 2Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3They were saying among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” 4for it was very big. Looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back. 5Entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were amazed. 6He said to them, “Don’t be amazed. You seek Jesus, the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen. He is not here. Behold, the place where they laid him! 7But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He goes before you into Galilee. There you will see him, as he said to you.’” 8They went out, and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had come on them. They said nothing to anyone; for they were afraid. 9Now when he had risen early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11When they heard that he was alive, and had been seen by her, they disbelieved. 12After these things he was revealed in another form to two of them, as they walked, on their way into the country. 13They went away and told it to the rest. They didn’t believe them, either. 14Afterward he was revealed to the eleven themselves as they sat at the table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they didn’t believe those who had seen him after he had risen. 15He said to them, “Go into all the world, and preach the Good News to the whole creation. 16He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned. 17These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new languages; 18they will take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will in no way hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 19So then the Lord, after he had spoken to them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20They went out, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen.
World English Bible (public domain)
“And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'”
Mark 16:15
Summary
Mark 16 recounts the resurrection of Jesus, beginning with the visit of Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome to the tomb on the first day of the week to anoint Jesus’ body with spices. They find the stone rolled away and encounter a young man in a white robe who tells them that Jesus has risen and instructs them to inform the disciples. The women initially flee in fear but later deliver the message. Jesus then appears to Mary Magdalene, who reports his resurrection to the disciples, though initially met with skepticism. Jesus also appears to two disciples walking in the country and finally, to the eleven as they are eating. In this final appearance, Jesus commissions them to spread the gospel to all creation and promises signs that will accompany their mission, such as casting out demons and speaking in tongues. The chapter concludes with Jesus' ascension into heaven and the disciples obediently preaching everywhere.
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Chapter outline
How Mark 16 unfolds
Mark 16:1–3 Women Visit the Tomb
Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome buy spices to anoint Jesus' body as they arrive early on the first day of the week.
Mark 16:4–8 The Stone Rolled Away
Upon arriving, they find the stone rolled away and encounter a young man in white who announces Jesus' resurrection, instructing them to tell the disciples.
Mark 16:9–11 Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
Jesus first appears to Mary Magdalene, who informs the grieving disciples, but they respond with disbelief regarding her testimony.
Mark 16:12–14 Jesus Appears to Two Disciples
He appears to two other disciples in a different form, but they too face skepticism when they share the news with the others.
Mark 16:15–18 The Great Commission
Jesus commissions the eleven disciples to preach the gospel to all creation, promising signs that will accompany believers.
Mark 16:19–20 Ascension and Disciples' Obedience
Following His ascension to heaven, the disciples go out to preach everywhere, supported by the Lord's signs confirming their message.
Key verses
Mark 16:15Mark 16:15 carries the chapter's weight as it encapsulates Jesus' command to spread the gospel, central to the disciples' mission.
Main themes in Mark 16
Resurrection
The theme of resurrection surfaces clearly in verses 6-7, where the young man announces that Jesus has risen. This central event shifts from despair to hope, affirming Jesus' victory over death. The resurrection lays the foundation for the disciples' mission, highlighting the transformative power of faith in the risen Christ.
Explore resurrection in the Bible →Faith
Faith is a key theme, especially as seen in verses 11 and 13, where the disciples struggle to believe the accounts of Jesus' resurrection. This chapter complicates the theme by contrasting the women's initial fear with the eventual faith required for proclamation. It underscores the challenge of believing in the miraculous and the importance of witnessing as a catalyst for faith.
Explore faith in the Bible →Evangelism
Evangelism is highlighted in verses 15-16, where Jesus commands His disciples to spread the gospel to all creation. This imperative signifies a shift from private belief to public proclamation, emphasizing the universal scope of the gospel message. The chapter illustrates that evangelism is both a response to the resurrection and a continuation of Jesus' mission.
Divine Commission
The divine commission is established in verses 15 and 20, where Jesus sends the disciples to preach and confirms their work with signs. This commissioning signifies the empowerment of the disciples through the resurrection, indicating a new phase in their relationship with Jesus. It emphasizes the necessity of obedience in carrying forth the message of salvation.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Mark 16
- John 3John 3 connects as it also emphasizes belief in Jesus for salvation, highlighting the necessity of faith.
- Matthew 28Matthew 28 develops the theme of the Great Commission, paralleling Jesus' command to spread the gospel.
- Acts 2Acts 2 echoes this commissioning with the disciples actively preaching following the resurrection.
- Luke 10Luke 10 connects through the sending of disciples to proclaim the kingdom, showing continuity in mission.
- Romans 10Romans 10 develops the theme of faith and proclamation, emphasizing the need to hear the gospel.
- John 20John 20 connects by recounting the appearances of the risen Jesus, reinforcing the resurrection's significance.
Study questions
Questions for studying Mark 16
- Who were the women who visited the tomb?
- What did the young man in white tell the women?
- How did the disciples initially respond to Mary Magdalene's news?
- What signs did Jesus promise would accompany believers?
- What does Jesus' commissioning of the disciples signify for their mission?
- In what ways does Mark 16 emphasize the theme of faith?
- How does the chapter depict the transition from disbelief to proclamation?
Mark 16: frequently asked questions
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