Mark16
New International Version
1When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body.
2Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb
3and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”
4But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.
5As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
6“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.
7But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
8Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
9When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons.
10She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping.
11When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.
12Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country.
13These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.
14Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
15He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
19After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.
20Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Mark 16.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Christ's resurrection made known the women. (1–8). Christ appears to Mary Magdalene and other disciples. (9–13). His commission to the apostles. (14–18). Christ's ascension. (19, 20).
vv1-8
Nicodemus brought a large quantity of spices, but these good women did not think that enough. The respect others show to Christ, should not hinder us from showing our respect. And those who are carried by holy zeal, to seek Christ diligently, will find the difficulties in their way speedily vanish. When we put ourselves to trouble and expense, from love to Christ, we shall be accepted, though our endeavours are not successful. The sight of the angel might justly have encouraged them, but they were affrighted. Thus many times that which should be matter of comfort to us, through our own mistake, proves a terror to us. He was crucified, but he is glorified. He is risen, he is not here, not dead, but alive again; hereafter you will see him, but you may here see the place where he was laid. Thus seasonable comforts will be sent to those that lament after the Lord Jesus. Peter is particularly named, Tell Peter; it will be most welcome to him, for he is in sorrow for sin. A sight of Christ will be very welcome to a true penitent, and a true penitent is very welcome to a sight of Christ. The men ran with all the haste they could to the disciples; but disquieting fears often hinder us from doing that service to Christ and to the souls of men, which, if faith and the joy of faith were strong, we might do.
vv9-13
Better news cannot be brought to disciples in tears, than to tell them of Christ's resurrection. And we should study to comfort disciples that are mourners, by telling them whatever we have seen of Christ. It was a wise providence that the proofs of Christ's resurrection were given gradually, and admitted cautiously, that the assurance with which the apostles preached this doctrine afterwards might the more satisfy. Yet how slowly do we admit the consolations which the word of God holds forth! Therefore while Christ comforts his people, he often sees it needful to rebuke and correct them for hardness of heart in distrusting his promise, as well as in not obeying his holy precepts.
vv14-18
The evidences of the truth of the gospel are so full, that those who receive it not, may justly be upbraided with their unbelief. Our blessed Lord renewed his choice of the eleven as his apostles, and commissioned them to go into all the world, to preach his gospel to every creature. Only he that is a true Christian shall be saved through Christ. Simon Magus professed to believe, and was baptized, yet he was declared to be in the bonds of iniquity: see his history in Ac 8:13–25. Doubtless this is a solemn declaration of that true faith which receives Christ in all his characters and offices, and for all the purposes of salvation, and which produces its right effect on the heart and life; not a mere assent, which is a dead faith, and cannot profit. The commission of Christ's ministers extends to every creature throughout the world, and the declarations of the gospel contain not only truths, encouragements, and precepts, but also most awful warnings. Observe what power the apostles should be endued with, for confirming the doctrine they were to preach. These were miracles to confirm the truth of the gospel, and means of spreading the gospel among nations that had not heard it.
Key Words
σάββατον (sábbaton): the Sabbath (i.e. Shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se'nnight, i.e. the interval between two Sabbaths; likewise the plural in all the above applications
διαγίνομαι (diagínomai): to elapse meanwhile
Μαρία (María): Maria or Mariam (i.e. Mirjam), the name of six Christian females
Μαγδαληνή (Magdalēnḗ): a female Magdalene, i.e. inhabitant of Magdala
ὁ (ho): the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Ἰάκωβος (Iákōbos): Jacobus, the name of three Israelites
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Σαλώμη (Salṓmē): Salome (i.e. Shelomah), an Israelitess
ἀγοράζω (agorázō): properly, to go to market, i.e. (by implication) to purchase; specially, to redeem
ἄρωμα (árōma): an aromatic
Cross References
Mark 16Detailed account of Jesus appearing 'in another form' to two disciples walking into the country.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel account of the women coming to the sepulchre on the resurrection morning.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel account where Jesus appears to the eleven and addresses their doubt and unbelief.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Explains the timing of the women purchasing and preparing spices before and after the Sabbath.
Supported by JFB
Parallel recording that the words of the women seemed to the disciples as idle tales.
Supported by JFB
Parallel of the Great Commission, commanding the disciples to teach and baptize all nations.
Supported by John Calvin
Literal historical fulfillment of the promise that they would take up serpents without being harmed.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Direct echo of Jesus' prior promise that after rising, He would go before them into Galilee.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Saves Peter from despair, showing Jesus' prior care to restore Peter after his fall.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Full, detailed account of Jesus' first appearance specifically to Mary Magdalene at the tomb.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Illustrates that Simon Magus believed and was baptized but was not in a state of salvation.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Fulfillment of the promise that believers would speak with new tongues on the day of Pentecost.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Messianic prophecy fulfilled as the ascended Lord sits at the right hand of God.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Reflects the fulfillment of the command to preach the gospel to 'every creature' under heaven.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Confirms how God bore witness to the apostolic message through signs, wonders, and miracles.
Supported by Matthew Henry