Mark 16

See Appendix I.

     16:1-2,  For brevity, Mark conflates events here.  The women arrived in at least two groups.  Mary Magdalene came while it was still dark (John 20:1) with some others (“we”, John 20:2).  Others come after the sun had risen (2).

     16:5.  angels sometimes are called men, for so they often appeared.  (Cf. Dan.9:21, “the man Gabriel”.)

     16:7.  “…and Peter.”  No doubt Peter isn’t feeling much like a disciple at this point, and is extended needed grace. 

     16:8.  “…and they said nothing to anyone,” i.e. no one else, but they “ran to tell the disciples.”  (Mt.28:8).

     16:9-20.  Apparently the ending to Mark was either lost or never completed, and this ending was added to complete it.  It is very early, early enough to have possibly been added later by Mark himself, but no one knows who wrote it.  It certainly contains the witness of the first century church, and is considered as part of sacred Scripture by most Christians, including me.

     Some of the important points that this passage confirms are: 

1.  That the disciples were not credulous children easily convinced that Jesus had risen from the dead (11 and 13).  In fact there is no record that any of the eleven believed it until they saw it with their own eyes.  This actually adds credibility to their witness (1 John 1:1-2). 

2.  That the bodily resurrection of Jesus is the very heart of the gospel that they must believe and witness to, to all the creation (14-15). 

3.  That another essential part of the gospel is repentance and faith that Christ died for our sins in our place.  That is what baptism is a sign and seal of (16), our engrafting and engagement to be the Lord’s. 

4.  That the Apostles, the appointed witnesses to the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, were given attesting miracles to confirm their message (Luke 10:19; Acts 28:3-5).  These signs were not for all, but were a confirmation of apostlehood.  (Acts 2:43; 5:12; 14:3; 15:12; 2 Cor.12:12). 

5.  That the signs are a confirmation of the word (20); which is now complete in the Scriptures.  Thus the signs are now ceased.  Heb.2:3-4 implies this. Also see chapter 1:1 of Westminster Confession:  “…Holy Scripture… most necessary; those former ways of God’s revealing His will unto His people being now ceased.” 

6.  That after Christ had appeared to them and commissioned them, he was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God (i.e. given all glory, honor, rule, and authority).