Mark, Chapter Sixteen

Chapter 16



Verses 1-8, the resurrection

When Jesus appeared to Saul, he identified himself as Jesus of Nazareth (Acts 22:8). Why did the angel at the empty tomb use the identifier Jesus the Nazarene? What mission did the angel give the women? Did they carry it out (Luke 24:9-12)?

Verses 9-20 (earliest, most reliable manuscripts do not contain these verses)

If Mark indeed ended his gospel-telling at verse 8, do the last nine words of that verse speak powerfully about witnessing about the Christ to both his Christian, Roman and Gentile readers: They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

Summary Thought: As followers of God, our hope is placed in Jesus and the miracle of three words: He is risen!

Prayer Endings: In the name of Jesus who topples gravestones (vs. 3-4). I pray through Jesus, who is good news (vs. 15).

Note from Cathy: May we embrace the courage and mission of Christ to model the gospel to all—empowered by his manners, meekness, forgiveness, and the generous Holy Spirit.

At the very beginning of this study, I referred to Jesus as the “breathtaking Savior.” May Mark’s portrait-in-words of Jesus’ deity so grab our souls that we share with any who come near us the wonder of God who walked this earth.

Bibliography

Halley’s Bible Handbook; Pulpit Commentary; Inductive Study Bible; Burton Coffman Commentary; Walk with Me by Prentice Meador and Bob Chisholm; NIV Bible on CD; Matthew Henry Commentary; Navigator’s Daily Walk (November 2002)