Mark

By Joyce Webb 2024

Chapter 16 Verse 1-20

Verse 1 Jesus has been put into the tomb. He was quickly wrapped with linen cloth and spices.

When the Passover Sabbath (holy day) was over, some of the women came to the tomb to add more spices and make sure the body was well wrapped and such.

Mark names 3 women: Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome. (Luke also names “Johana, and other women”.)

Verse 2 It was very early in the morning—when they came to the tomb.

Verse 3 On the way, they had talked about how they would get the stone rolled away from the opening.

Verse 4 When they arrived at the tomb—they saw the stone had already been rolled away.

Verse 5 They went into the tomb—like a cave—but not deep into the hillside—the “room” in the hillside may have been 6 feet by 5 feet There was a stone bench in the tomb that the body lay on.

In the tomb, on the bench, they saw a “young man” sitting. He had on a white robe. (It seems he was an angel.)

When the women saw him, they were afraid.

Verse 6 The “young man” said to them, “You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is not here, he has risen.

Look, This is where he was laid.”

Verse 7 “Go tell his disciples, and Peter, that he goes before you into Galilee. There you will see him, just like he told you.”

Verse 8 The women left the tomb. They were afraid and trembling.
They were amazed and wondered what all this meant.

But they did not talk to anyone about it because they were afraid.
(But they did go tell the disciples.)

Verse 9 When Jesus had risen from the dead—on the first day of the week—he appeared first to Mary Magdalene. (Before—in his ministry—he had cast out 7 demons (evil spirits) out of her.)

Verse 10 She went to the disciples—and told them that Jesus was alive.

Verse 11 When the disciples heard that Jesus was alive—and she had seen him—they did not believe it.

(In the other gospels, they tell how Peter and John went to the tomb to see if it was true.)

It seems that Mary went back also. It seems she stayed at the tomb after the men left. She was crying,

She saw a man and thought it was the man who took care of the garden. She asked him if he knew where they put the body of Jesus.

The “man” was not the gardener, but it was Jesus. He said, “Mary”. When she heard her name, she looked at him and realized it was Jesus. He told her not to touch him as he had not yet gone to the father in heaven.

(Jesus made a short trip to “hades” to announce that he had risen from the dead—He was now a victor over death. He had paid the death punishment for the people.

He then collected all the people in “Abraham’s Bosom”—”Paradise”—the waiting place—for all the godly believers in the Father who had died before Jesus died on the cross and rose again.

Jesus took them all to heaven— to wait for the end of time.)

Verse 12 Later, Jesus appeared to 2 of the disciples as they walked along a road to Emmaus.

(Mark says here—that Jesus was “in another form”.

So, we wonder—what “form“ was Jesus in when Mary saw him?

Was he in his human form– same as when he died?

And after he made his trip to heaven and back—he then had his supernatural body that could go through walls?)

Verse 13 The 2 men went to tell the other disciples that they had seen Jesus alive—and the other disciples did not believe them.

Verse 14 Later, Jesus showed himself to 11 of the disciples.

The disciples were in a room eating and talking. (John said the door was shut.)

Jesus suddenly just appeared in front of them. Jesus scolded them for not believing what the others said about him being raised from the dead.

(Jesus had told them –a number of times—that he would die and he would rise again.

But when it happened—they could not believe it.)

Verse 15 Jesus told them—”Go into all the world, and preach the gospel (good news) to every person.”

Verse 16 He that believes, and is baptized shall be saved.
But he that does not believe shall be damned.

Verse 17 These signs shall follow them that believe—they will cast out devils (evil spirits) in my name.

They will speak with tongues.

(Like the disciples did in Acts chp. 2  They spoke in languages they did not know—the Holy Spirit gave them the ability to speak in languages—not their own.)

Verse 18 They will be able to take up serpents (snakes) meaning poisonous ones and not get hurt. (Like Paul when he was shipwrecked. See Acts 28:2-6)

If they drink some deadly (poison) drink—it will not hurt them.

They will put their hands on the sick and the sick will get well.

Verse 19 After Jesus had said these things—-he was taken up into heaven—there he sits at the right hand of God.

Verse 20 The disciples went out and preached everywhere. The Lord worked with them —and all the things that Jesus said to them—happened—signs and wonders—happened as they preached to the people.

(Mark—does not tell some of the details of what happened after Jesus comes alive again.

As you read the end of the other 3 gospels you will see more explanation of the things that happened.

Mark goes through what happen fast —and makes a short telling of it.)