Chapter Summary
Core Passages from Mark 16
Mark 16:6And he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.
This is the heart of the Christian faith: the tomb is empty because Jesus is alive. The angel's message shifts the focus from looking for a dead body to seeking a living Savior.Mark 16:15And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
Jesus gives His followers a clear and massive job description. The good news isn't meant to be a secret. It is a message for every single person on earth.Mark 16:20And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.
This verse shows that we are never alone in our faith. As the disciples went out to preach, Jesus worked alongside them, proving His message was true through powerful actions.
Historical & Cultural Context
A Morning of Unexpected Discovery
Following the dark events of the crucifixion in Mark 15, the atmosphere is heavy with grief and confusion. Three women, who had remained loyal to Jesus even at the cross, wait for the holy day of rest to end so they can properly care for His body. They head to the tomb at dawn, carrying burial spices and wondering how they will manage the massive stone blocking the entrance.
The Empty Tomb and the Angel's Message
The scene shifts from a quiet burial site to a place of supernatural encounter. Instead of a sealed tomb, they find the stone rolled away and a heavenly messenger waiting for them. This messenger delivers the shocking news that Jesus is alive and instructs them to tell the disciples, specifically mentioning Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of them to Galilee.
The Resurrection and the Great Commission
In Mark 16:1-20, the narrative moves from the quiet, early morning at the tomb to the global expansion of the gospel. It begins with the women's discovery and moves through several appearances of the risen Jesus, concluding with His return to heaven and the start of the disciples' mission.
The Empty Tomb (Mark 16:1-8)
1 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him.
2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb.
3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?”
4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back - it was very large.
5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed.
6 And he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, 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 that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you."
8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Commentary:
Women find Jesus' tomb empty and receive a message that He has risen and will meet them in Galilee.
Appearances and Unbelief (Mark 16:9-13)
9 [[Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.]]
10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
11 But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.
12 After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country.
13 And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.
Commentary:
Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene and two others, but the disciples struggle to believe the news.
The Great Commission (Mark 16:14-18)
14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.
15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Commentary:
Jesus commissions His followers to preach the gospel to everyone, promising His power will be with them.
The Ascension and the Mission Begins (Mark 16:19-20)
19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken 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 message by accompanying signs.
Commentary:
Jesus ascends to heaven, and the disciples begin preaching everywhere with the Lord's help.
The Power of a Living Savior
Victory Over Death
The empty tomb is the ultimate proof that Jesus is the Son of God. By rising from the dead, He showed that His sacrifice on the cross was successful and that He has the power to give eternal life to anyone who follows Him.
Grace for the Doubter
The chapter highlights the disciples' struggle to believe, yet Jesus doesn't abandon them. His patient appearances and the specific call to Peter show that God's grace is big enough to handle our doubts and our failures.
The Call to Action
The resurrection is more than a fact to be admired. It is a message to be shared. The transition from the tomb to the 'all the world' mission shows that the purpose of the resurrection is to bring salvation to every corner of the earth.
Living in the Light of the Resurrection
In Mark 16:6, the angel tells the women not to be alarmed because Jesus has risen. When you realize that Jesus has conquered the greatest enemy - death - it puts your daily fears into perspective, reminding you that the most powerful force in the universe is on your side.
Look at Mark 16:7, where the angel specifically tells the women to tell 'the disciples and Peter.' Even though Peter had failed Jesus miserably, Jesus wanted him to know he was still included. This teaches you that your failures do not disqualify you from God's love or His plans for your life.
According to Mark 16:15, the mission is for the 'whole creation.' You can apply this by looking for opportunities to share God's love and truth in your normal routines - at work, with family, or in your community - trusting that the Lord is working with you just as He did with the first disciples.
The King Is Alive and Moving
Mark concludes his Gospel with the world-shaking news that the grave could not hold Jesus. In the resurrection, God has revealed His absolute authority over life and death, proving that the message of Jesus is the ultimate truth. This message is an invitation to move from fear to faith, knowing that the living Lord is actively working alongside us as we share His love with the world.
What This Means for Us Today
The story of the empty tomb is an invitation to stop looking for hope among the dead and start living for a Savior who is alive. As the first followers were sent out, we are called to witness the life‑changing power of Jesus in our generation.
- Is there a 'stone' of doubt or fear in your life that you need to trust God to roll away?
- How can you be a voice of hope to someone who is currently mourning or discouraged?
- In what ways can you partner with the Lord in His mission this week?
Further Reading
Immediate Context
This chapter provides the necessary background of Jesus' trial, crucifixion, and burial that makes the resurrection so significant.
Connections Across Scripture
A parallel account of the resurrection that includes the 'Great Commission' and more details about the guards at the tomb.
The Apostle Paul explains the theological importance of the resurrection, calling it the most essential part of the Christian faith.
This passage picks up where Mark 16 leaves off, describing Jesus' final instructions and His ascension into heaven.
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think Mark emphasizes the disciples' initial unbelief so strongly in this chapter?
- The women were worried about who would roll away the stone, but God had already taken care of it. When have you seen God remove an obstacle before you even got there?
- What does it mean to you personally that Jesus is 'sitting at the right hand of God' while also 'working with' His people on earth?