Chapter 16

1 An angel declareth the resurrection of Christ to three women. 9 Christ himself appeareth to Mary Magdalene: 12 to two going into the country: 14 then to the apostles, 15 whom he sendeth forth to preach the gospel: 19 and ascendeth into heaven.

1. Was past. [The Resurrection, Mark 16:1–11=Matt 28:1–15=Luke 24:1–12=John 20:1–18. Major comment: Matthew and John.] Or, “had intervened,” that is, between the events of ch. 15 and those about to be presented in ch. 16. The resurrection is thus clearly stated to have taken place on the first day of the week, not earlier as some have proposed (see on Matt. 28:1).

Mary Magdalene. See Additional Note on Luke 7.

Had bought. Rather, “bought.” In all probability these spices were purchased after sundown, on what we would call Saturday night, and were in addition to those that the women had prepared Friday (see Luke 23:56) and those that Nicodemus brought (see John 19:39).

2. Very early. See on Matt. 28:1.

Peter. Only Mark here refers to Peter by name (cf. p. 563). Jesus’ mention of him by name was an indication that, in spite of his mistakes, Peter was still acknowledged and included among Jesus’ closest friends, because he had sincerely repented (see Matt. 26:75; Mark 14:72; DA 713).

8. Any thing to any man. That is, they said nothing to those they met on their way into the city. Some have misconstrued this statement to mean that the women said nothing to the disciples, and that hence, Mark here contradicts the other gospel writers. Such a conclusion is wholly unwarranted.

9. When Jesus was risen. Important textual evidence may be cited (cf. p. 146) for the omission of vs. 9–20 altogether, and thus for concluding the Gospel of Mark with v. 8. Commentators favoring the omission of vs. 9–20 point to numerous differences in literary style, idiom, and wording between these verses and the preceding portion of the Gospel. These verses are called the Longer Ending of Mark. Instead of the Longer Ending a few ancient manuscripts have what is called the Shorter Ending: “But they reported briefly to Peter and those with him all that they had been told. And after this, Jesus himself sent out by means of them, from east to west, the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation” (RSV). Taken as a whole, however, textual evidence favors the so-called Longer Ending. See on v. 14.

11. Believed not. This record of the incredulity of the disciples, even in the face of eyewitness accounts testifying that Jesus was risen, constitutes strong evidence in favor of the accuracy and reliability of the resurrection story, even to its smallest details.

12. After that. [The Walk to Emmaus, Mark 16:12=Luke 24:13–32. Major comment: Luke.]

Another form. Possibly a reference to the resurrected body of Jesus in contrast with His pre-resurrection body, or to the fact that Jesus remained unrecognizable to the disciples on the way to Emmaus.

13. Neither believed they them. [First Appearance in the Upper Room, Mark 16:13=Luke 24:33–49=John 20:19–23. Major commnet: Luke and John.] See on Luke 24:34, 35, 41.

14. Afterward. [Second Appearance in the Upper Room, Mark 16:14=John 20:24–29. Major comment: John.] For the chronological sequence of the postresurrection appearances see Additional Note on Matt. 28.

The eleven. A technically correct term for the group of Jesus’ special followers as a whole, since the apostasy and suicide of Judas left but eleven of the original twelve disciples. However, elsewhere they are still called by the familiar term, “the twelve” (see John 20:24).

As they sat at meat. Several of the disciples appear to have made the upper chamber in which they had partaken together of the Last Supper, their temporary home.

Upbraided them. Unbelief, persisted in when the evidence provided is sufficient, is worthy only of condemnation.

Hardness of heart. See on Ex. 4:21.

One ancient manuscript, the Codex Freerianus (see p. 119), also known as the Washingtonensis, adds to v. 14 what is sometimes called the “Freer Logion.” This insertion bears unmistakable marks of being a later interpolation, and is of interest only as a textual curiosity.

15. Go ye. [Appearance on a Mountain in Galilee, Mark 16:15–18=Matt. 28:16–20. Major comment: Matthew.] There is nothing in the narrative here to indicate a change in time or place from those indicated in v. 14. However, these verses are probably a brief report of a portion of the extended instructions Jesus gave to some 500 who had gathered on a mountain in Galilee (see on Matt. 28:16, 19; cf. DA 818, 821). “Again and again the words were repeated, that the disciples might grasp their significance” (DA 818), a fact which may account for the various versions of the gospel commission as given by the several gospel writers.

16. Shall be saved. Here are presented two requirements made of those who accept the gospel proclamation—faith in Jesus, and baptism. The first is the inward acceptance of the salvation so graciously provided by the vicarious death of the world’s Redeemer; the second is the outward token of an inward change of life (see on Rom. 6:3-6).

Believeth not. It is worthy of note that if any receive condemnation, it is because of disbelief. Baptism is not here referred to, one way or the other, for the inward reality of salvation far transcends in importance the outward token. Lack of baptism would simply be an outward token of an inward disbelief, which disbelief, of itself, is sufficient to bar a man from the blessings of salvation. Perhaps Jesus here foresaw that—as in the case of the thief on the cross—there would be instances in which truly converted men and women would be unable to receive the rite of baptism.

Damned. Rather, “condemned.”

17. These signs. That is, supernatural and miraculous demonstrations of divine power (see p. 208). However, valuable as miracles are, it is not too hard to counterfeit them or to get reports of presumed miracles into circulation. These reports tend to confuse the unwary and appeal to the credulous. As a matter of fact, miracles do not constitute the strongest evidence of the genuineness of the gospel (see DA 406, 799). It should be remembered that Jesus Himself consistently refused to perform miracles as signs.

Cast out devils. See Additional Note on Mark 1.

New tongues. See Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6; 1 Cor. 12:28; 1 Cor. 14:2–5. During their previous ministry the Twelve had not been given the gift of tongues, for it was not needed. Now that there was a need, the power was bestowed upon them. See on 1 Cor. 14.

18. Serpents. See on Luke 10:19.

Deadly thing. Jesus here uses illustrations of such experiences as would normally result in serious injury or death, and promises the gospel messengers that, on many occasions, they will receive special protection, according to the Father’s will.

Lay hands. See on ch. 1:31.

19. After the Lord. [The Ascension, Mark 16:19, 20=Luke 24:50–53. Major comment: Luke.] This transitional clause makes it appear that the ascension followed immediately the counsel of vs. 15–18. This, however, does not seem to have been the case. It is more probable that a longer interval is here referred to (see on v. 15).

Right hand. The position of honor and authority. Christ’s exalted position in heaven is repeatedly the subject of comment by various NT writers (see Acts 7:55; Rom. 8:34; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:3; 8:1; 10:12; 1 Peter 3:22; Rev. 3:21; etc.).

20. They went forth. Alone alone among the gospel writers, Mark, in one bold stroke, takes note of the triumphs of the gospel accomplished by the Holy Spirit through the apostles during the first few years after the ascension.

Preached every where. Such was and is the mission of Christ’s followers (see v. 15).

Working with them. In the providence of God, divine power is ever to be united with human effort.

Confirming the word. Partially by the evidence of divine power manifested in the “signs” referred to in vs. 17, 18.

Amen. Important textual evidence may be cited (cf. p. 146) for the omission of this word.

Ellen G. White comments

1    DA 769

1, 2 EW 186

1–8DA 788–794

2, 3 DA 788

7     COL 156; DA 793; Ed 90; 4T 488

9     DA 568

15   AA 174; ChS 9, 23; COL 300, 303, 371; CT 466; DA 369, 818; Ed 264; Ev 301; FE 199, 201; GC 351; GW 115; MH 106; ML 226; MM 327; TM 401; 3T 406, 408; 4T 472; 5T 391, 456; 6T 89, 273, 447, 480; 7T 39; 8T 15, 16, 119, 215; 9T 39, 136, 255; WM 187

17, 18  CH 497; DA 821, 823; EW 29

18   CH 34, 391; CT 466; MH 148, 226; ML 226; 4T 225

19, 20  CH 553; 7T 114

20        AA 599; CH 498; CM 20; DA 827; MH 139; MM 319; 6T 480; 8T 15; 9T 141