Mark 16 revolves around the resurrection of Christ. It is the final chapter of the gospel of Mark and therefore summarizes the entire book of Mark. Two events dominate this chapter. Jesus’ rising from the dead and the reactions that He received from the people who knew and saw Him.

The Tomb

In verse 1 we see three women: Mary Magdalene, Salome and Mary taking spices to the grave where the body of Jesus was laid to anoint it. In fact they are not even sure of who among them will be able to roll the stone so that they can access the tomb. To their disbelief they found that the stone blocking the entrance had already been rolled way.

They see an angel in the tomb who is wearing a white robe. He pleads with them not to be afraid and announces to them the good news that Jesus had already risen from the dead. The angel tells them to go to Galilee where Jesus is waiting for them.

Jesus is Risen

Jesus appeared to many different people in the city. First it was Mary Magdalene who went and announced the news to the people who were still mourning. The people did not believe her. Jesus later appeared in another form to two of His disciples who were traveling to the country. The disciples turned and went back to report the sighting to people in the city, but still no one believed.

It was later when Jesus appeared to the eleven disciples while they were eating that they believed He had risen. Jesus, however, rebuked them of their lack of faith. Afterwards he was ascended into heaven to be with God the father.

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Mark Chapter 16 (King James Version)

1 And 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.

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

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

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

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

6 And 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.

7 But 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.

8 And 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.

9 Now 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.

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

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

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

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

14 Afterward 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.

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

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

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

18 They 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.

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

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

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