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Mark

Chapter 16

Resurrection, witness, commission, and ascension

Mark 16 moves from the empty tomb to the risen Jesus’ appearances, then to the rebuke of unbelief, the charge to proclaim the gospel, the promised signs, and the Lord’s ascension. The chapter keeps the witnesses hesitant, the message plain, and the ending open on preaching and divine confirmation.

After the burial in chapter 15, Mark 16 turns to the empty tomb and then to the risen Jesus’ appearances. The chapter moves from fear and disbelief to the charge to preach, ending with Jesus exalted and the word carried outward.

5 sections·449 words·~2 min read

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Mark 16

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vv. 1-8

The Resurrection

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W1hen the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could go and anoint the body of Jesus. 2Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they went to the tomb. 3They were asking one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance of the tomb?” 4But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, even though it was extremely large.

5When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here! See the place where they put 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.’” 8So the women left the tomb and ran away, trembling and bewildered. And in their fear they did not say a word to anyone.

vv. 9-11

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

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E9arly on the first day of the week, after Jesus had risen, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had driven out seven demons. 10She went and told those who had been with Him, who were mourning and weeping. 11And when they heard that Jesus was alive and she had seen Him, they did not believe it.

vv. 12-13

Jesus Appears to Two Disciples

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A12fter this, Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them as they walked along in the country. 13And they went back and reported it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.

vv. 14-18

The Great Commission

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L14ater, as they were eating, Jesus appeared to the Eleven and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 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 if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well.”

vv. 19-20

The Ascension

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A19fter the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20And they went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked through them, confirming His word by the signs that accompanied it.

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  1. 01vv. 1-8The ResurrectionThe women come to anoint Jesus, find the stone moved, and enter a tomb where a white-robed messenger announces that Jesus has risen and is not there. They are sent toward the disciples and Peter, but they leave trembling and silent.
  2. 02vv. 9-11Jesus Appears to Mary MagdaleneJesus appears first to Mary Magdalene, the one from whom he had cast out seven demons. She tells the others while they grieve, but her report meets disbelief. The risen Jesus is already at work before the witnesses can settle their fear.
  3. 03vv. 12-13Jesus Appears to Two DisciplesJesus appears again in a different form to two disciples walking in the country. They return and report what they have seen, but the others still do not believe them. The pattern of witness and refusal continues.
  4. 04vv. 14-18The Great CommissionJesus appears to the Eleven while they eat and rebukes their unbelief and hard heart. He sends them into the world to preach to every creature, links belief and baptism with salvation, and names signs that will accompany believers.
  5. 05vv. 19-20The AscensionAfter speaking, the Lord is taken up into heaven and sits at God’s right hand. The disciples go out and preach everywhere, and the Lord works with them, confirming the word through accompanying signs.
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