Mark 16

Mark 16 records the resurrection of Jesus and His appearances to the disciples, emphasizing His victory over death and the instructions He gave to His followers. This chapter completes the Gospel of Mark, revealing Jesus’ triumph, His commission to spread the gospel, and the power that would accompany His believers.

Mark 16:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him.
2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.
3 And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?”

Mary Magdalene, Mary, and Salome came to anoint Jesus’ body, a sign of their devotion and respect. Arriving early on the first day of the week, they were concerned about the large stone blocking the tomb’s entrance, highlighting their practical and emotional worries as they came to honor Jesus in His death.

Mark 16:4-5 (NKJV)
4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large.
5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.

Upon arriving, the women discovered the stone already moved, which was surprising given its size. Inside, they encountered an angel in a white robe, a heavenly figure whose appearance filled them with awe and fear. This unexpected presence indicated that something miraculous had occurred.

Mark 16:6-7 (NKJV)
6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.
7 But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”

The angel reassured the women and delivered the joyful news that Jesus had risen, confirming His prophecy. The instruction to inform the disciples, especially Peter, emphasized Jesus’ forgiveness and inclusion of Peter despite his earlier denial, inviting them to meet Jesus in Galilee as promised.

Mark 16:8 (NKJV)
8 So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

The women left the tomb in a mixture of fear and amazement, stunned by the angel’s message. Their initial silence reflects the overwhelming nature of this revelation; the reality of Jesus’ resurrection was beyond human expectation and left them momentarily speechless.

Mark 16:9-11 (NKJV)
9 Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons.
10 She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept.
11 And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.

Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene, showing His compassion for someone who had experienced profound transformation through His ministry. Mary’s attempt to share the good news met with disbelief, as the disciples were still grieving, struggling to accept such an unexpected turn of events.

Mark 16:12-13 (NKJV)
12 After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country.
13 And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.

Jesus next appeared to two disciples on the road, yet their testimony was also met with skepticism. The disciples’ reluctance to believe, despite multiple witnesses, highlights their struggle to grasp the reality of resurrection, underscoring the profound nature of this miracle.

Mark 16:14 (NKJV)
14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.

When Jesus appeared to the eleven disciples, He addressed their unbelief, gently rebuking them for their hardness of heart. This encounter marked a turning point, transforming their doubts into conviction and preparing them for the mission He was about to entrust to them.

Mark 16:15-16 (NKJV)
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

Jesus gave His disciples a clear mission: to spread the gospel universally, offering salvation to all who believe. This commission encapsulates the heart of the Christian faith, emphasizing both the inclusivity of the gospel message and the urgency of accepting it.

Mark 16:17-18 (NKJV)
17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.

These verses highlights the miraculous signs that would accompany believers as evidence of God’s power working through them to spread the Gospel. These signs, such as casting out demons, healing the sick, and protection from harm, were especially prominent during the early rain—the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost that empowered the early church to establish the Gospel message. While such signs may not always be evident today, they are not absent, as God still works miracles according to His will. The promise of the latter rain—the final outpouring of the Holy Spirit before Christ’s return—indicates that similar manifestations of power will occur again, preparing the world for the closing work of the Gospel. This passage ultimately calls believers to faith and readiness to be vessels for God’s Spirit.

Mark 16:19-20 (NKJV)
19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

Jesus’ ascension marked the completion of His earthly mission and His exaltation at God’s right hand, symbolizing authority and victory. The disciples faithfully carried out His commission, empowered by His presence, and the accompanying signs confirmed the truth of their message, demonstrating God’s enduring support in their mission.