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Summary

Mark 16:1–8 – Resurrection Discovery

What happens:
Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome buy spices and go to Jesus’ tomb at dawn. They wonder who will roll away the stone. Finding the stone already moved, they enter and see a young man in a white robe who tells them Jesus has risen and will meet the disciples in Galilee. The women flee, trembling and bewildered, and say nothing to anyone.

What it means:
God’s power over death is revealed in the empty tomb. Fear and awe overwhelm even devoted followers, marking the beginning of a new reality that surpasses human expectation.

Mark 16:9–13 – Appearances to Mary and Two Disciples

What happens:
Jesus first appears to Mary Magdalene, who reports it to those grieving but they do not believe her. He then appears in another form to two disciples walking in the country and rebukes their unbelief. They go back and report to the rest, but their words seem like nonsense and they are not believed.

What it means:
Postresurrection appearances confirm Jesus’ victory over death and challenge doubt. Faith grows through personal encounter, even when testimony seems incredible to others.

Mark 16:14–18 – Commission and Promise

What happens:
Jesus appears to the eleven as they sit at a meal and rebukes them for their unbelief. He commissions them to preach the gospel to all creation. He promises that those who believe and are baptized will be saved and that signs will accompany believers, including casting out demons, speaking new languages, handling snakes safely, drinking poison with no harm, and healing the sick.

What it means:
The resurrection empowers followers to continue Jesus’ mission. God equips believers with authority over spiritual forces and physical danger, demonstrating that the gospel advances by divine power.

Mark 16:19–20 – Ascension and Ongoing Ministry

What happens:
After speaking to them, 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 message by signs that accompany their words.

What it means:
Jesus’ ascension inaugurates his heavenly reign and validates the apostles’ ministry. The gospel spreads through the partnership of divine activity and human obedience.

Application

  • Face doubts by seeking personal encounter with the risen Jesus
  • Proclaim the gospel boldly, trusting that God’s power accompanies your words
  • Expect God to work signs that confirm the truth and compassion of the message
  • Live in the reality of Jesus’ victory over death and his reigning authority
  • Continue Jesus’ mission by obeying his commission until he returns

Bible

1And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

2And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

3And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?

4And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

5And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.

6And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

7But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

8And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.

9Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

10And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.

11And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.

12After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.

13And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.

14Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

19So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

20And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

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