The Resurrection: Key to Faith
Mark 16:1-8
SS Lesson for 03/31/2024
Devotional Scripture: 1 Cor 15:1-18
Tradition tells us that the Gospel of Mark was written by John Mark, an associate of Peter and Paul (see Acts 12:12; 1 Peter 5:13). This man was not an apostle. But he was a close relative of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10), who probably convinced Paul (Saul) to take John Mark on that apostle’s first missionary journey (Acts 12:25). John Mark abandoned the trip before its conclusion (13:13). This put him in disfavor with Paul (15:36-39), although the two later reconciled (2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 24). Students propose that Mark’s Gospel account is based on Peter’s firsthand experiences with the person and ministry of Jesus, given the closeness of Mark to Peter in light of Peter calling him “my son” (1 Peter 5:13). Although Mark’s Gospel is the shortest of the four, its narrative packs a punch! Students frequently call it “the Gospel of action.” This designation stems from the fact that Mark jumps quickly from scene to scene to chronicle Jesus’ ministry. The Gospel’s description of the last week of Jesus’ ministry highlights its inclination toward action. Of the nearly 700 verses of the Gospel, 241 of them, more than one-third of the Gospel, recount events from that week (Mark 11:1-16:8). In describing scenes from that week, the Gospel jumps quickly between scenes. Mark tells us how Jesus entered Jerusalem on that Sunday (11:1-11) and taught others regarding righteousness (11:12-25; 12:28-34). On that Thursday, he ate a final meal (14:12-31) before he was arrested (14:43-52) and tried (14:53-65; 15:1-15). Finally, on that Friday, he was crucified and killed at the hands of Roman soldiers (15:16-41). Friday evening of that week, Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin, approached Pontius Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body (Mark 15:43). Before granting the request, Pilate wanted confirmation that Jesus was truly dead (15:44-45). There was to be no doubt on the part of Pilate that Jesus was indeed dead. Once Pilate received this verification, Joseph took Jesus’ body and prepared it for burial. To begin the burial proceedings, Joseph wrapped Jesus’ body in linen (Mark 15:46a). The Gospels do not indicate whether or not Jesus’ body was washed as was customary at this time (example: Acts 9:37). Joseph then placed the body in a rock tomb sealed with a stone (Mark 15:46b). After the burial, two women observed the burial location (15:47). They would return after Sabbath to finish caring for Jesus’ body. Some students believe that the original ending to this Gospel came at Mark 16:8 and that Mark 16:9-20 was a later addition in the decades after Mark wrote. Much of the information in verses 9-20 is reflected in the other Gospels (Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 24:13-43, 50-51; John 20:14-18). In this lesson, we will engage in a what-if. What if Mark did end at verse 8? What could that abrupt ending teach us today?
But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.
(Scriptural Text from the New King James Version; cross-references from the NIV)
1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him.
2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.
3 And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?"
4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away -- for it was very large.
5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
28'And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. 29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.
27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit-just as it has taught you, remain in him.
6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand.
21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
7 The path of the righteous is level; O upright One, you make the way of the righteous smooth.
16 I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.
"This is what the LORD says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him and to strip kings of their armor, to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut: 2 I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. 3 I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD,
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
2 For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.
18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life."
13 He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, 'Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 14 He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.'
15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak."
17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
11 This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.
6 But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.
7 But go, tell His disciples -- and Peter -- that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you."
8 So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures
5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.
12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you
18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19 through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ
29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
20 And Isaiah boldly says, "I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me."
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"
7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught." 11 Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." 28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
The Resurrection (Mark 16:1-8)
The last sabbath of the law that God ever recognized had drawn to a close. During that old covenant rest day no one on earth knew whether redemption had been accomplished or not. The Jews observed the rest although their hands were red with the blood of the servant of Jehovah. They had insisted on His death, and in so doing had fulfilled their own Scriptures without realizing it. Now the first day of a new week and of a new dispensation had dawned.
Several godly women who were last at the cross were first at the tomb on that wondrous Easter morn. As the first streaks of light shone across the sky three women with broken hearts-Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the less, and Salome-left their homes and wended their way toward the garden tomb in which the body of Jesus had been placed. They intended to anoint and embalm that precious body in the Jewish manner.
As the sun rose higher they came in sight of the tomb. Coming closer, the women wondered who would move the great stone blocking the entrance. This stone was probably like a large millstone fitted into a slot cut in the limestone on an incline so that it could be readily rolled down the groove to cover the door. But it would take considerable strength to roll it back and up again. None of the disciples were on hand to do this service. They mourned the death of Jesus and evidently thought there was nothing now that they could do to change things for the better.
But as the women came closer they were astonished to see that the stone was rolled back already and the entrance plainly revealed. Their first thought, we know from other accounts, was that the tomb had been rifled by the enemies of Jesus and the body stolen and carried elsewhere.
On entering the sepulcher they beheld “a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment.” His presence filled the women with a strange alarm. Little did they understand at the moment that this young man had been present at the creation of the universe “when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy” (Job 38:7). The man possessed eternal youth, for he belonged not to earth but to Heaven. At once he reassured them and told them not to be afraid. He added, “Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.”
The dark night of death was not the end of the service of our blessed Lord. For Him the “path of life” led out of the tomb up to the glory where, at the Father’s right hand, there are pleasures forevermore. His soul was not left in Hades-the unseen world-nor did His precious body see corruption in the sepulcher (Psalms 16:0). Isaiah had declared by the Spirit of prophecy, “When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand” (Isaiah 53:10). So He “who was delivered for our of fences… was raised again for our justification” (Romans 4:25). Because His death had met every claim of the justice of God against us, His resurrection was the divine declaration of our justification from all things.
With wondering eyes the women gazed on the empty crypt where only the graveclothes remained. The angel (for such he was) commanded them to go their way and tell the disciples and Peter that Jesus was going before them into Galilee to that meeting place of which He had told them before He was crucified. There He would manifest Himself to them. So the women hastened toward the city, but they were afraid to tell anyone what they had seen and heard.
There is something peculiarly touching about the two words “and Peter” (Mark 16:7). Peter must have spent the time of his Lord’s entombment in grief and agony of soul as he pondered his denial. He would not feel worthy any longer to be called one of His disciples. But the special message, “and Peter,” would be the assurance that Jesus loved him still and counted him as one of His own.
Jesus Appears to Many (Mark 16:9-14)
“He appeared first to Mary Magdalene.” One of the women evidently lingered in the garden and Jesus Himself appeared to her. There seems to be no Scriptural evidence that this Mary was ever a dissolute immoral woman, as so many have supposed. Down through the centuries magdalene has been synonymous with harlot because many have sought to identify Mary of Magdala with the “woman in the city” who came into the Pharisee’s house and washed the feet of Jesus with her tears of repentance (Luke 7:37-39). But there seems to be no proof that the two are identical. What we are told in Mark 16:0 is that Jesus had cast seven demons out of Mary. Her love was great because her deliverance had been so great. Many an otherwise respectable woman has been demon-controlled at times. It is not necessary to suppose that demon possession implies unchastity.
Jesus revealed Himself to Mary in the garden in such a way that all her doubts were gone (John 20:11-18). She hastened to tell His disciples, who were mourning and weeping over the death of their Lord, that He was indeed risen from the dead. Though she confidently affirmed that she had seen and talked with Him, they did not believe that He who had died was alive again. Mark did not mention the visit of John and Peter to the tomb, and their corroboration of the story of Mary.
Mark told us in few words that which Luke described so fully- the meeting of Jesus with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (see Luke 24:13-35). From the words “He appeared in another form” (Mark 16:12) some have drawn the erroneous conclusion that after resurrection Jesus no longer possessed the identical body in which He was crucified. Other Scriptures forbid such a thought. The Gospel of Luke tells us that the eyes of the two disciples were blinded to Jesus’ true identity. He had not assumed a different body. As the two sat with Him at supper He revealed Himself to them. They returned to Jerusalem and told the eleven that they had seen Him; but again we read, “Neither believed they them.” It was difficult to convince the apostles that Jesus had overcome death.
Jesus had foretold again and again His rising from the dead after three days; but His disciples were dull of hearing and failed to comprehend the meaning of His words. Therefore the resurrection was unexpected, and it took them some time to accept so marvelous a fact. Only the cleare st demonstration of His resurrection convinced them of the truth.
The last appearance that Mark mentioned took place as the disciples were partaking of their evening meal. Whether Mark was referring to the same occasion as that mentioned in Luke 24:36-43 and John 20:19 we may not be able to decide. In all probability the appearance recorded in Mark 16:14 was either on the first evening following Jesus’ resurrection when Thomas was absent, or another time when he was there. As some were still unbelieving, the Lord “upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart.” They had not accepted the testimony of the women and of Cleopas and his companion, who only confirmed what Jesus Himself had told them would take place. This rebuke seems to fit in with the occasion when Thomas was absent, for all doubt seems to have gone from the others when Thomas first saw the risen Lord. But it is important to keep their original unbelief in mind as we go on to consider what He told them afterward.
Christ’s Final Command (Mark 16:15-20)
The great commission was not given at one time only, but on several occasions, and in each instance there are differences that are of deep interest. In Mark 16:15-18 Jesus set forth His program of world evangelization in no uncertain terms. “Preach the gospel to every creature.” The disciples were to carry the good news of an accomplished redemption not only to Israel, to whom the message of the kingdom had been largely confined during the Lord’s earthly ministry (Matthew 10:6), but “into all the world.” Every barrier was to be thrown down so that the river of grace might flow out to all.
“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Those who received the message in faith were to witness to it by being baptized, thus declaring themselves openly as His disciples. There was no saving virtue in the ordinance itself, but it was the expression of subjection to Christ. Those who refused to believe would be condemned. Note that He did not say, “He that is not baptized shall be condemned.”
“These signs shall follow them that believe.” These signs were what Paul calls “the signs of an apostle” (2 Corinthians 12:12). These miraculous powers were given to the authoritative messengers to accredit them as Christ’s representatives (Acts 4:30-33; Acts 5:12Acts 5:12). But the signs were not displayed by any who did not believe, and even among the twelve “some doubted” (Matthew 28:17). It is a mistake to suppose that these powers were automatically passed on to those who believed the messengers. That is not the thought. Such gifts were granted to some who became witnesses publicly (1 Corinthians 12:7-11), but the bestowal of gifts was according to the sovereign will of God.
The Gospel of Mark does not tell us how much time elapsed between the giving of this commission and the ascension of Christ. Other records indicate that nearly forty days transpired. At the appointed time the man Christ Jesus was received up into glory (1 Timothy 3:16), where He now shares the Father’s throne (Hebrews 1:3).
“They went forth…the Lord working with them.” All that His servants accomplish for Him is actually done by Him as He works in and through them in the energy of His Holy Spirit. We are told that the disciples “preached every where.” We know from the book of Acts that they were slow in doing this. It was some time before they could divest themselves of their Jewish prejudices in order to be free to go into all the world and make known the good news to the Gentiles. But as time went on they understood more fully the mind of the Lord and so went everywhere as He had commanded them.
The book of Acts and the history of missions attest to the authenticity of the post-resurrection appearances of Christ and the giving of the great commission. The work of world evangelization is in progress still, and will not be completed until all men everywhere have heard the message of the grace of God. Interest in missions is not an elective in God’s university of grace. It is something in which every disciple is expected to major. We who are saved have been entrusted by our risen Lord with the glorious privilege of carrying the gospel to the whole world. It is for this very purpose we have been left in this world. As far as our own salvation is concerned, we were as secure as God could make us the first moment we trusted in Christ. We could have been taken home to Heaven immediately. But in the infinite wisdom of God we have been kept down here that we might be witnesses to His saving grace and that through us many more might be brought to share the blessings that are ours in Christ. Had the church been faithful to its commission, the body of Christ might long since have been completed and the Lord’s return hastened, for it is due to His concern for the salvation of men that He seems to delay (2 Peter 3:9).
After Mark recorded the great commission, he did not go on to describe the ascension, but he closed his account with the risen Lord as the servant still working with His followers as they go forth in obedience to His Word.
(Adapted from URL:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/isn/mark-16.html)
Today’s Scripture abruptly ends with a declaration of the women’s fear. If this were all we knew of the story, we would wonder what happened next. Praise God that we know the conclusion to this story, a story that continued with Jesus’ ascension to Heaven (Acts 1:1–9) and will culminate with his promised return to earth (Revelation 22:20). The resurrection of Jesus is a singular event in history. It is distinct from other resurrections in the Bible (examples: 2 Kings 4:32-37; Luke 7:11-15; 8:49-56; John 11:38-44). Those were instances of the temporary restoration of physical life, temporary because all those people died again later. The resurrection of Jesus, by contrast, is permanent (Revelation 1:18a). That permanence has vital implications. Death is God’s penalty for sin (Genesis 2:16-17; Romans 5:12), but now the risen Jesus holds “the keys of death and Hades” (Revelation 1:18b). Another characteristic that sets Jesus’ resurrection apart from the others noted above is that his body was transformed, not merely resuscitated. After his resurrection, he appeared and disappeared in ways he had not done previously (Luke 24:31, 36, 51; John 20:19, 26), although he still had a physical body that other people could touch (Luke 24:37-43; John 20:27). The transformation of Jesus’ body prefigures the promised transformation of those who belong to him when we are raised on the last day (1 Corinthians 15:42-57).
From our vantage point some 2,000 years later, the empty tomb is the universal image of Christ’s victory over death. The women who found the open tomb that morning had prepared themselves to be confronted with death. Instead, they were confronted with the announcement of life. The reality of death confronts all, and we make preparations for it. We help friends and family members with funeral planning. We purchase cemetery plots. But the best spiritual preparation is to let our thoughts dwell on resurrection life. Jesus has promised that what was accomplished in him on that third day will also be accomplished in us when he returns. The power of life over death that he demonstrated for himself is the same power that will instantly and forever transform us (see Philippians 3:21). Jesus is Lord over death, having conquered it. That makes him Lord over eternal life—our eternal life. Therefore, as we prepare for death, we keep in mind that “the last enemy to be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:26). Death is our enemy, but it is ultimately a defeated enemy. When Jesus returns, we all will be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, death will be no more. Consider the abrupt ending to verse 8 as an invitation to proclaim the good news of the resurrected Christ. The women at the tomb that morning ran in fear; our task today is to run in joy with the message of the empty tomb. May we ever proclaim Christ’s victory over death; may we never lose sight of the fact that his victory is ours as well, for eternity. Death could not permanently silence Jesus or obstruct God’s plan. Will fear silence you from sharing this good news?