Mark 16:1-8 (Postscript 9-20)
Q.1. What was the concern of the women? Did they expect the stone to be rolled away? Was it necessary for the stone to be removed, for Jesus to rise from the dead? – (Mk.16:1-6)
Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome left very early on Sunday morning to anoint the body of Jesus. However, they wondered how they could possibly move the huge stone from the entrance to get into the tomb (Mk.16:1-3). To their amazement, the stone was rolled away. On entering in, they found a dazzling angel who announced the stunning news – Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him (Mk.16:6). In His resurrection appearances Jesus demonstrated that He could materialize at will and enter a room even when the doors were shut (c.f. Jn.20:19 & 26). He could have risen from the tomb without moving the stone that the chief priests and Pharisees had sealed into place (c.f. Mt.27:62-66). However, the removal of the stone was a testimony to the fact of the resurrection. That is why rumours were circulated to explain away the resurrection of Jesus from the dead (Mt.28:11-15). His resurrection was followed by many other proofs and explanations which were recorded in the Gospel accounts and testified to by the apostles (c.f. Jn.20:30-31; 21:24-25; 1 Jn.1:1-3).
Q.2. Why do you think Peter was singled out for the message of Christ’s resurrection? What stopped the women from relaying the angel’s message? – (Mk.16:5-8)
The women were commanded to share the incredible news with the disciples of Jesus. Peter was especially singled out for the news – Go tell His disciples and Peter – He is going ahead of you to Galilee; There you will see Him, just as He told you (Mk.16:7). Peter had stumbled badly and had denied that he even knew Jesus. He might easily have concluded that his failure disqualified him from serving Jesus. It would have meant a great deal for Peter to know that he was still special. Why did the women not pass on the news? Firstly, they were astonished and struggling to process this themselves. Only days before they had seen the mutilated Jesus die. It was almost impossible to believe that their Master was actually alive. Secondly, the lack of regard for women in general would have added to their reluctance to share what they had been told (Mk.16:8 c.f. Mk.16:10-11).
Q.3. How does the ‘postscript’ corroborate the essential accounts of the other Gospel writers? – Mk.16:9-20)
Most Bible versions put verses 9-20 in brackets because of the disputed evidence that they were in the original manuscript. Bible commentaries explain the textual anomalies in these verses. While for the most part these verses summarize truths taught elsewhere in the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, it would be unwise to formulate doctrines based solely on them. The accompanying signs that were given to authenticate the apostles and their message, were claimed in these verses to accompany all believers (Mk.16:17-18 c.f. 2 Corinthians 12:11-12; Hebrews 2:3-4). This is at variance with their special reason why they were given, which was to authenticate and promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This account does support the Great Commission of Christ – [Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation] (Mk.16:15 c.f. Eph.3:8-10). Even if this section was added later, it confirmed the important place of baptism in the practice of the early church (c.f. Mk.16:16). This disputed section closes – [19 So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed] — [And they promptly reported all these instructions to Peter and his companions. And after that, Jesus Himself sent out through them from east to west the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation.]
[Commenting on the postscript of verses 9-20 MacArthur writes – “THE EXTERNAL EVIDENCE STRONGLY SUGGESTS THAT THESE VERSES WERE NOT ORIGINALLY PART OF MARK’S GOSPEL. WHILE THE MAJORITY OF THE GREEK MANUSCRIPTS CONTAIN THESE VERSES, THE EARLIEST AND MOST RELIABLE DO NOT …” – The MacArthur Bible Commentary.]