Day Seventeen - Mark 16:1-8

Happy Easter to all of you!

Here we are in the final chapter of the Gospel of Mark. It’s generally thought that this short, action-packed Gospel was the first to be written and formed the basis of the book of Matthew and Luke. Mark’s account of the resurrection stands out from the others as we do not see the risen Jesus. The general consensus between scholars is that the additional section of Mark 16:9-20, was added in the second century. Although it ties everything up neatly, I'm personally intrigued by the idea that Mark intended his abrupt ending to stay as it was.

1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As 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. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”

8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

Mark 16:1-8

We find the same three women who watched the crucifixion of Jesus from afar (Mark 15:40) approaching the tomb early on the Sabbath. The male disciples had fled the crucifixion scene and in Mark’s account, they do not make an appearance at the empty tomb. Although we do not see the risen Jesus in Mark’s account, the fear-filled response of the women confirms that:

“God has entered the story, and his messenger, dressed in a white robe, will announce what God has done to the one who had been laid in the tomb.”

F.J. Moloney

Running throughout Mark’s story, miraculous encounters with Jesus were followed by requests for silence. After the healing of the leper, Jesus said, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them”(Mark 1:44). In contrast, Mark’s resurrection account replaces the request to tell no one with the command “Go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee” (Mark 16:7).

Mark’s story of the disciples began in Galilee (Mark 1:16-19) but was followed by a catalogue of failures and misunderstandings regarding the teachings of Jesus. This theme of failure continues in the abrupt ending of Mark’s Gospel where the women heard God’s message but “said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid”(Mark 16:8). Like their male counterparts, the women continued the story of failed discipleship.

“Time and time again the disciples misunderstand Jesus and then ultimately they let him down and run away. Even the women who remained faithful for longer flee.

As the Gospel screeches to an undignified halt in 16:8, all we can hear is feet running in the opposite direction.”

Paula Gooder

And yet, here we are…

Despite its abrupt ending and questionable additional sections, the existence of Mark’s message of “the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1), suggests that the disciples ultimately succeeded in their mission and Mark challenges us to do the same.

Something to think about…

Where is your spiritual life focused these days: On Good Friday? Easter Sunday? Or in between?

Jesus used everyday disciples to tell the world about him. How does this give you hope?

What will you remember most from the Gospel of Mark to sharpen your focus of who Jesus really is?

Questions from the Serendipity Bible

Kay Moorby