Mark 16:1-20 King James Version (KJV)

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.

Mark 16:1-20 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

¹ And ^G2532 when ^G1230 the sabbath ^G4521 was past, ^G1230 Mary ^G3137 Magdalene, ^G3094 and ^G2532 Mary ^G3137 the mother ^G3588 of James, ^G2385 and ^G2532 Salome, ^G4539 had bought ^G59 sweet spices, ^G759 that ^G2443 they might come ^G2064 and anoint ^G218 him. ^G846

² And ^G2532 very ^G3029 early in the morning ^G4404 the first ^G3391 day of the week, ^G4521 they came ^G2064 unto ^G1909 the sepulchre ^G3419 at the rising ^G393 of the sun. ^G2246

³ And ^G2532 they said ^G3004 among ^G4314 themselves, ^G1438 Who ^G5101 shall roll ^G617 us ^G2254 away ^G617 the stone ^G3037 from ^G1537 the door ^G2374 of the sepulchre? ^G3419

⁴ And ^G2532 when they looked, ^G308 they saw ^G2334 that ^G3754 the stone ^G3037 was rolled away: ^G617 for ^G1063 it was ^G2258 very ^G4970 great. ^G3173

⁵ And ^G2532 entering ^G1525 into ^G1519 the sepulchre, ^G3419 they saw ^G1492 a young man ^G3495 sitting ^G2521 on ^G1722 the right side, ^G1188 clothed ^G4016 in a long white ^G3022 garment; ^G4749 and ^G2532 they were affrighted. ^G1568

⁶ And ^G1161 he saith ^G3004 unto them, ^G846 Be ^G1568 not ^G3361 affrighted: ^G1568 Ye seek ^G2212 Jesus ^G2424 of Nazareth, ^G3479 which ^G3588 was crucified: ^G4717 he is risen; ^G1453 he is ^G2076 not ^G3756 here: ^G5602 behold ^G2396 the place ^G5117 where ^G3699 they laid ^G5087 him. ^G846

⁷ But ^G235 go your way, ^G5217 tell ^G2036 his ^G846 disciples ^G3101 and ^G2532 Peter ^G4074 that ^G3754 he goeth before ^G4254 you ^G5209 into ^G1519 Galilee: ^G1056 there ^G1563 shall ye see ^G3700 him, ^G846 as ^G2531 he said ^G2036 unto you. ^G5213

⁸ And ^G2532 they went out ^G1831 quickly, ^G5035 and fled ^G5343 from ^G575 the sepulchre; ^G3419 for ^G1161 they ^G846 trembled ^G2192 ^G5156 and ^G2532 were amazed: ^G1611 neither ^G2532 said they ^G2036 any thing ^G3762 to any ^G3762 man; for ^G1063 they were afraid. ^G5399

⁹ Now ^G1161 when Jesus was risen ^G450 early ^G4404 the first ^G4413 day of the week, ^G4521 he appeared ^G5316 first ^G4412 to Mary ^G3137 Magdalene, ^G3094 out of ^G575 whom ^G3739 he had cast ^G1544 seven ^G2033 devils. ^G1140

¹⁰ And she ^G1565 went ^G4198 and told ^G518 them that had been ^G1096 with ^G3326 him, ^G846 as they mourned ^G3996 and ^G2532 wept. ^G2799

¹¹ And they, ^G2548 when they had heard ^G191 that ^G3754 he was alive, ^G2198 and ^G2532 had been seen ^G2300 of ^G5259 her, ^G846 believed not. ^G569

¹² After ^G1161 ^G3326 that ^G5023 he appeared ^G5319 in ^G1722 another ^G2087 form ^G3444 unto two ^G1417 of ^G1537 them, ^G846 as they walked, ^G4043 and went ^G4198 into ^G1519 the country. ^G68

¹³ And they ^G2548 went ^G565 and told ^G518 it unto the residue: ^G3062 neither ^G3761 believed they ^G4100 them. ^G1565

¹⁴ Afterward ^G5305 he appeared ^G5319 unto the eleven ^G1733 as they ^G846 sat at meat, ^G345 and ^G2532 upbraided ^G3679 them with their ^G846 unbelief ^G570 and ^G2532 hardness of heart, ^G4641 because ^G3754 they believed ^G4100 not ^G3756 them which had seen ^G2300 him ^G846 after he was risen. ^G1453

¹⁵ And ^G2532 he said ^G2036 unto them, ^G846 Go ye ^G4198 into ^G1519 all ^G537 the world, ^G2889 and preach ^G2784 the gospel ^G2098 to every ^G3956 creature. ^G2937

¹⁶ He that believeth ^G4100 and ^G2532 is baptized ^G907 shall be saved; ^G4982 but ^G1161 he that believeth not ^G569 shall be damned. ^G2632

¹⁷ And ^G1161 these ^G5023 signs ^G4592 shall follow ^G3877 them that believe; ^G4100 In ^G1722 my ^G3450 name ^G3686 shall they cast out ^G1544 devils; ^G1140 they shall speak ^G2980 with new ^G2537 tongues; ^G1100

¹⁸ They shall take up ^G142 serpents; ^G3789 and if ^G2579 they drink ^G4095 any ^G5100 deadly ^G2286 thing, ^G5100 it shall not ^G3364 hurt ^G984 them; ^G846 they shall lay ^G2007 hands ^G5495 on ^G1909 the sick, ^G732 and ^G2532 they shall ^G2192 recover. ^G2573

¹⁹ So ^G3303 then ^G3767 after ^G3326 the Lord ^G2962 had spoken ^G2980 unto them, ^G846 he was received up ^G353 into ^G1519 heaven, ^G3772 and ^G2532 sat ^G2523 on ^G1537 the right hand ^G1188 of God. ^G2316

²⁰ And ^G1161 they ^G1565 went forth, ^G1831 and preached ^G2784 every where, ^G3837 the Lord ^G2962 working with ^G4903 them, and ^G2532 confirming ^G950 the word ^G3056 with ^G1223 signs ^G4592 following. ^G1872 Amen. ^G281

Mark 16:1-20 American Standard (ASV)

¹ And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the `mother' of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint him.

² And very early on the first day of the week, they come to the tomb when the sun was risen.

³ And they were saying among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the tomb?

⁴ and looking up, they see that the stone is rolled back: for it was exceeding great.

⁵ And entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, arrayed in a white robe; and they were amazed.

⁶ And he saith unto them, Be not amazed: ye seek Jesus, the Nazarene, who hath been crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold, the place where they laid him!

⁷ But go, tell his disciples and Peter, He goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

⁸ And they went out, and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them: and they said nothing to any one; for they were afraid.

⁹ Now when he was risen 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 them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.

¹¹ And they, when they heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, disbelieved.

¹² And after these things he was manifested in another form unto two of them, as they walked, on their way into the country.

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

¹⁴ And afterward he was manifested unto the eleven themselves as they sat at meat; and he upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them that had seen him after he was risen.

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

¹⁶ He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.

¹⁷ And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;

¹⁸ they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

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

²⁰ And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen.

Mark 16:1-20 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

¹ And the sabbath having past, Mary the Magdalene, and Mary of James, and Salome, bought spices, that having come, they may anoint him,

² and early in the morning of the first of the sabbaths, they come unto the sepulchre, at the rising of the sun,

³ and they said among themselves, `Who shall roll away for us the stone out of the door of the sepulchre?'

⁴ And having looked, they see that the stone hath been rolled away -- for it was very great,

⁵ and having entered into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right hand, arrayed in a long white robe, and they were amazed.

⁶ And he saith to them, `Be not amazed, ye seek Jesus the Nazarene, the crucified: he did rise -- he is not here; lo, the place where they laid him!

⁷ and go, say to his disciples, and Peter, that he doth go before you to Galilee; there ye shall see him, as he said to you.'

⁸ And, having come forth quickly, they fled from the sepulchre, and trembling and amazement had seized them, and to no one said they anything, for they were afraid.

⁹ And he, having risen in the morning of the first of the sabbaths, did appear first to Mary the Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven demons;

¹⁰ she having gone, told those who had been with him, mourning and weeping;

¹¹ and they, having heard that he is alive, and was seen by her, did not believe.

¹² And after these things, to two of them, as they are going into a field, walking, he was manifested in another form,

¹³ and they having gone, told to the rest; not even them did they believe.

¹⁴ Afterwards, as they are reclining (at meat), he was manifested to the eleven, and did reproach their unbelief and stiffness of heart, because they believed not those having seen him being raised;

¹⁵ and he said to them, `Having gone to all the world, proclaim the good news to all the creation;

¹⁶ he who hath believed, and hath been baptized, shall be saved; and he who hath not believed, shall be condemned.

¹⁷ `And signs shall accompany those believing these things; in my name demons they shall cast out; with new tongues they shall speak;

¹⁸ serpents they shall take up; and if any deadly thing they may drink, it shall not hurt them; on the ailing they shall lay hands, and they shall be well.'

¹⁹ The Lord, then, indeed, after speaking to them, was received up to the heaven, and sat on the right hand of God;

²⁰ and they, having gone forth, did preach everywhere, the Lord working with `them', and confirming the word, through the signs following. Amen.

Mark 16:1-20 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

¹ And the sabbath being [now] past, Mary of Magdala, and Mary the [mother] of James, and Salome, bought aromatic spices that they might come and embalm him.

² And very early on the first [day] of the week they come to the sepulchre, the sun having risen.

³ And they said to one another, Who shall roll us away the stone out of the door of the sepulchre?

⁴ And when they looked, they see that the stone has been rolled [away], for it was very great.

⁵ And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right, clothed in a white robe, and they were amazed and alarmed;

⁶ but he says to them, Be not alarmed. Ye seek Jesus, the Nazarene, the crucified one. He is risen, he is not here; behold the place where they had put him.

⁷ But go, tell his disciples and Peter, he goes before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him, as he said to you.

⁸ And they went out, and fled from the sepulchre. And trembling and excessive amazement possessed them, and they said nothing to any one, for they were afraid.

⁹ Now when he had risen very early, the first [day] of the week, he appeared first to Mary of Magdala, out of whom he had cast seven demons.

¹⁰ *She* went and brought word to those that had been with him, [who were] grieving and weeping.

¹¹ And when these heard that he was alive and had been seen of her, they disbelieved [it].

¹² And after these things he was manifested in another form to two of them as they walked, going into the country;

¹³ and *they* went and brought word to the rest; neither did they believe them.

¹⁴ Afterwards as they lay at table he was manifested to the eleven, and reproached [them with] their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen him risen.

¹⁵ And he said to them, Go into all the world, and preach the glad tidings to all the creation.

¹⁶ He that believes and is baptised shall be saved, and he that disbelieves shall be condemned.

¹⁷ And these signs shall follow those that have believed: in my name they shall cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;

¹⁸ they shall take up serpents; and if they should drink any deadly thing it shall not injure them; they shall lay hands upon the infirm, and they shall be well.

¹⁹ The Lord therefore, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat at the right hand of God.

²⁰ And they, going forth, preached everywhere, the Lord working with [them], and confirming the word by the signs following upon [it].

Mark 16:1-20 World English Bible (WEB)

¹ When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint him.

² Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.

³ They were saying among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?"

⁴ for it was very big. Looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back.

⁵ Entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were amazed.

⁶ He said to them, "Don't be amazed. You seek Jesus, the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen. He is not here. Behold, the place where they laid him!

⁷ But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He goes before you into Galilee. There you will see him, as he said to you.'"

⁸ They went out,{TR adds "quickly"} and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had come on them. They said nothing to anyone; for they were afraid.

⁹ Now when he had risen 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 When they heard that he was alive, and had been seen by her, they disbelieved.

¹² After these things he was revealed in another form to two of them, as they walked, on their way into the country.

¹³ They went away and told it to the rest. They didn't believe them, either.

¹⁴ Afterward he was revealed to the eleven themselves as they sat at the table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they didn't believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

¹⁵ He said to them, "Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to the whole creation.

¹⁶ He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned.

¹⁷ These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new languages;

¹⁸ they will take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will in no way hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

¹⁹ So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.

²⁰ They went out, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen.

Mark 16:1-20 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

¹ And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James, and Salome, got spices, so that they might come and put them on him.

² And very early after dawn on the first day of the week, they came at the time of the coming up of the sun to the place where the body had been put.

³ And they were saying among themselves, Who will get the stone rolled away from the door for us?

⁴ And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; and it was of great size.

⁵ And when they went in, they saw a young man seated on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were full of wonder.

⁶ And he said to them, Do not be troubled: you are looking for Jesus, the Nazarene, who has been put to death on the cross; he has come back from the dead; he is not here: see, the place where they put him!

⁷ But go, say to his disciples and to Peter, He goes before you into Galilee: there you will see him, as he said to you.

⁸ And they went out quickly from the place, because fear and great wonder had come on them: and they said nothing to anyone, because they were full of fear that ...

⁹ Now when he came back from the dead early on the first day of the week, he went first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had sent out seven evil spirits.

¹⁰ She went and gave news of it to those who had been with him, while they were sorrowing and weeping.

¹¹ And they, when it came to their ears that he was living, and had been seen by her, had no belief in it.

¹² And after these things he was seen in another form by two of them, while they were walking on their way into the country.

¹³ And they went away and gave news of it to the rest; and they had no belief in what was said.

¹⁴ And later he was seen by the eleven themselves while they were taking food; and he said sharp words to them because they had no faith and their hearts were hard, and because they had no belief in those who had seen him after he had come back from the dead.

¹⁵ And he said to them, Go into all the world, and give the good news to everyone.

¹⁶ He who has faith and is given baptism will get salvation; but he who has not faith will be judged.

¹⁷ And these signs will be with those who have faith: in my name they will send out evil spirits; and they will make use of new languages;

¹⁸ They will take up snakes, and if there is poison in their drink, it will do them no evil; they will put their hands on those who are ill, and they will get well.

¹⁹ So then the Lord Jesus, after he had said these words to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God.

²⁰ And they went out, preaching everywhere, the Lord working with them, and giving witness to the word by the signs which came after. So be it.

Commentary on Mark 16 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Chapter 16

In this chapter, we have a short account of the resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus: and the joys and triumphs which it furnished all believers with, will be very acceptable to those who sympathised and suffered with Christ in the foregoing chapters. Here is,

I. Christ's resurrection notified by an angel to the women that came to the sepulchre to anoint him (v. 1-8).
II. His appearance to Mary Magdalene, and the account she gave of it to the disciples (v. 9-11).
III. His appearance to the two disciples, going to Emmaus, and the report they made of it to their brethren (v. 12, 13).
IV. His appearance to the eleven with the commission he gave them to set up his kingdom in the world, and full instructions and credentials in order thereunto, (v. 14-18).
V. His ascension into heaven, the apostles' close application to their work, and God's owning of them in it (v. 19, 20).

Mar 16:1-8

Never was there such a sabbath since the sabbath was first instituted as this was, which the first words of this chapter tell us was now past; during all this sabbath our Lord Jesus lay in the grave. It was to him a sabbath of rest, but a silent sabbath, it was to his disciples a melancholy sabbath, spent in tears and fears. Never were the sabbath services in the temple such an abomination to God, though they had been often so, as they were now, when the chief priests, who presided in them, had their hands full of blood, the blood of Christ. Well, this sabbath is over, and the first day of the week is the first day of a new world. We have here,

I. The affectionate visit which the good women that had attended Christ, now made it to his sepulchre-not a superstitious one, but a pious one. They set out from their lodgings very early in the morning, at break of day, or sooner; but either they had a long walk, or they met with some hindrance, so that it was sun-rising by the time they got to the sepulchre. The had bought sweet spices too, and came not only to bedew the dead body with their tears (for nothing could more renew their grief than this), but to perfume it with their spices, v. 1. Nicodemus had bought a very large quantity of dry spices, myrrh and aloes, which served to dry the wounds, and dry up the blood, Jn. 19:39. But these good women did not think that enough; they bought spices, perhaps of another kind, some perfumed oils, to anoint him. Note, The respect which others have showed to Christ's name, should not hinder us from showing our respect to it.
II. The care they were in about the rolling away of the stone, and the superseding of that care (v. 3, 4); They said among themselves, as they were coming along, and now drew near the sepulchre, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? For it was very great, more than they with their united strength could move. They should have thought of this before they came out, and then discretion would have bid them not go, unless they had those to go with them, who could do it. And there was another difficulty much greater than this, to be got over, which they knew nothing of, to wit, a guard of soldiers set to keep the sepulchre; who, had they come before they were frightened away, would have frightened them away. But their gracious love to Christ carried them to the sepulchre; and see how by the time they came thither, both these difficulties were removed, both the stone which they knew of, and the guard which they knew not of. They saw that the stone was rolled away, which was the first thing that amazed them. Note, They who are carried by a holy zeal, to seek Christ diligently, will find the difficulties that lie in their way strangely to vanish, and themselves helped over them beyond their expectation.
III. The assurance that was given them by an angel, that the Lord Jesus was risen from the dead, and had taken leave of his sepulchre, and had left him there to tell those so who came thither to enquire after him.
- 1. They entered into the sepulchre, at least, a little way in, and saw that the body of Jesus was not there where they had left it the other night. He, who by his death undertook to pay our debt, in his resurrection took out our acquittance, for it was a fair and legal discharge, by which it appealed that his satisfaction was accepted for all the purposes for which it was intended, and the matter in dispute was determined by an incontestable evidence that he was the Son of God.
- 2. They saw a young man sitting on the right side of the sepulchre. The angel appeared in the likeness of a man, of a young man; for angels, though created in the beginning, grow not old, but are always the same perfection of beauty and strength; and so shall glorified saints be, when they are as the angels. This angel was sitting on the right hand as they went into the sepulchre, clothed with a long white garment, a garment down to the feet, such as great men were arrayed with. The sight of him might justly have encouraged them, but they were affrighted. Thus many times that which should be matter of comfort to us, through our own mistakes and misapprehensions proves a terror to us.
- 3. He silences their fears by assuring them that here was cause enough for triumph, but none for trembling (v. 6); He saith to them, Be not affrighted. Note, As angels rejoice in the conversation of sinners, so they do also in the consolation of sinners. Be not affrighted, for,
  - (1.) "Ye are faithful lovers of Jesus Christ, and therefore, instead of being confounded, out to be comforted. Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified.' Note, The enquiries of believing souls after Christ, have a particular regard to him as crucified (1 Co. 2:2), that they may know him, and the fellowship of his sufferings. His being lifted up from the earth, is that which draws all men unto him. Christ's cross is the ensign to which the Gentiles seek. Observe, He speaks of Jesus as one that was crucified; "The thing is past, that scene is over, ye must not dwell so much upon the sad circumstances of his crucifixion as to be unapt to believe the joyful news of his resurrection. He was crucified in weakness, yet that doth not hinder but that he may be raised in power, and therefore ye that seek him, be not afraid of missing of him.' He was crucified, but he is glorified; and the shame of his sufferings is so far from lessening the glory of his exaltation, that that glory perfectly wipes away all the reproach of his sufferings. And therefore after his entrance upon his glory, he never drew any veil over his sufferings, nor was shy of having his cross spoken of. The angel here that proclaims his resurrection, calls him Jesus that was crucified. He himself owns (Rev. 1:18), I am he that liveth, and was dead; and he appears in the midst of the praises of the heavenly host as a Lamb that had been slain, Rev. 5:6.
  - (2.) "It will therefore be good news to you, to hear that, instead of anointing him dead, you may rejoice in him living. He is risen, he is not here, not dead, but alive again. We cannot as yet show you him, but hereafter you will see him, and you may here see the place where they laid him. You see he is gone hence, not stolen either by his enemies or by his friends, but risen.'
- 4. He orders them to give speedy notice of this to his disciples. Thus they were made the apostles of the apostles, which was a recompence of their affection and fidelity to him, in attending him on the cross, to the grave, and in the grave. They first came, and were first served; no other of the disciples durst come near his sepulchre, or enquire after him; so little danger was there of their coming by night to steal him away, that none came near him but a few women, who were not able so much as to roll away the stone.
  - (1.) They must tell the disciples, that he is risen. It is a dismal time with them, their dear Master is dead, and all their hopes and joys are buried in his grave; they look upon their cause as sunk, and themselves ready to fall an easy prey into the hands of their enemies, so that there remains no more spirit in them, they are perfectly at their wits' end, and every one is contriving how to shift for himself. "O, go quickly to them,' said the angel, "tell them that their Master is risen; this will put some life and spirit into them, and keep them from sinking into despair.' Note,
    - [1.] Christ is not ashamed to own his poor disciples, no, not now that he is in his exalted state; his preferment doth not make him shy of them, for he took early care to have it notified to them.
    - [2.] Christ is not extreme to mark what they do amiss, whose hearts are upright with him. The disciples had very unkindly deserted him, and yet he testified this concern for them.
    - [3.] Seasonable comforts shall be sent to those that are lamenting after the Lord Jesus, and he will find a time to manifest himself to them.
  - (2.) They must be sure to tell Peter. This is particularly taken notice of by this evangelist, who is supposed to have written by Peter's direction. If it were told the disciples, it would be told Peter, for, as a token of his repentance for disowning his Master, he still associated with his disciples; yet he is particularly named: Tell Peter, for,
    - [1.] It will be good news to him, more welcome to him than to any of them; for he is in sorrow for sin, and no tidings can be more welcome to true penitents than to hear of the resurrection of Christ, because he rose again for their justification.
    - [2.] He will be afraid, lest the joy of this good news do not belong to him. Had the angel said only, Go, tell his disciples, poor Peter would have been ready to sigh, and say, "But I doubt I cannot look upon myself as one of them, for I disowned him, and deserve to be disowned by him;' to obviate that, "Go to Peter by name, and tell him, he shall be as welcome as any of the rest to see him in Galilee.' Note, A sight of Christ will be very welcome to a true penitent, and a true penitent shall be very welcome to a sight of Christ, for there is joy in heaven concerning him.
  - (3.) They must appoint them all, and Peter by name, to give him the meeting in Galilee, as he said unto you, Mt. 26:32. In their journey down into Galilee they would have time to recollect themselves, and call to mind what he had often said to them there, that he should suffer and die, and the third day be raised again; whereas while they were at Jerusalem, among strangers and enemies, they could not recover themselves from the fright they had been in, nor compose themselves to the due entertainment of better tidings. Note,
    - [1.] All the meetings between Christ and his disciples are of his own appointing.
    - [2.] Christ never forgets his appointment, but will be sure to meet his people with the promised blessing in every place where he records his name.
    - [3.] In all meetings between Christ and his disciples, he is the most forward. He goes before you.
IV. The account which the women did bring of this to the disciples (v. 8); They went out quickly, and ran from the sepulchre, to make all the haste they could to the disciples, trembling and amazed. See how much we are enemies to ourselves and our own comfort, in not considering and mixing faith with that Christ hath said to us. Christ had often told them, that the third day he would rise again; had they given that its due notice and credit, they would have come to the sepulchre, expecting to have found him risen, and would have received the news of it with a joyful assurance, and not with all this terror and amazement. But, being ordered to tell the disciples, because they were to tell it to all the world, they would not tell it to any one else, they showed not any thing of it to any man that they met by the way, for they were afraid, afraid it was too good news to be true. Note, Our disquieting fears often hinder us from doing that service to Christ and to the souls of men, which if faith and the joy of faith were strong, we might do.

Mar 16:9-13

We have here a very short account of two of Christ's appearances, and the little credit which the report of them gained with the disciples.

I. He appeared to Mary Magdalene, to her first in the garden, which we have a particular narrative of, Jn. 20:14. It was she out of whom he had cast seven devils; much was forgiven her, and much was given her, and done for her, and she loved much; and this honour Christ did her, that she was the first that saw him after his resurrection. The closer we cleave to Christ, the sooner we may expect to see him, and the more to see of him.
Now,
- 1. She brings notice of what she had seen, to the disciples; not only to the eleven, but to the rest that followed him, as they mourned and wept, v. 10. Now was the time of which Christ had told them, that they should mourn and lament, Jn. 16:20. And it was an evidence of their great love to Christ, and the deep sense they had of their loss of him. But when their weeping had endured a night or two, comfort returned, as Christ has promised; I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice. Better news cannot be brought to disciples in tears, than to tell them of Christ's resurrection. And we should study to be comforters to disciples that are mourners, by communicating to them our experiences, and what we have seen of Christ.
- 2. They could not give credit to the report she brought them. They heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her. The story was plausible enough, and yet they believed not. They would not say that she made the story herself, or designed to deceive them; but they fear that she is imposed upon, and that it was but a fancy that she saw him. Had they believed the frequent predictions of it from his own mouth, they would not have been now so incredulous of the report of it.
II. He appeared to two of the disciples, as they went into the country, v. 12. This refers, no doubt, to that which is largely related (Lu. 24:13, etc.), of which passed between Christ and the two disciples going to Emmaus. He is here said to have appeared to them in another form, in another dress than what he usually wore, in the form of a traveller, as, in the garden, in such a dress, that Mary Magdalene took him for the gardener; but that he had really his own countenance, appears by this, that their eyes were holden, that they should not know him; and when that restrain on their eyes was taken off, immediately they knew him, Lu. 24:16-31. Now,
- 1. These two witnesses gave in their testimony to this proof of Christ's resurrection; They went and told it to the residue, v. 13. Being satisfied themselves, they were desirous to give their brethren the satisfaction they had, that they might be comforted as they were.
- 2. This did not gain credit with all; Neither believed they them. They suspected that their eyes also deceived them. Now there was a wise providence in it, the proofs of Christ's resurrection were given in thus gradually, and admitted thus cautiously, that so the assurance with which the apostles preached this doctrine afterward, when they ventured their all upon it, might be the more satisfying. We have the more reason to believe those who did themselves believe so slowly: had they swallowed it presently, they might have been thought credulous, and their testimony the less to be regarded; but their disbelieving at first, shows that they did not believe it afterward but upon a full conviction.

Mar 16:14-18

Here is,

I. The conviction which Christ gave his apostles of the truth of his resurrection (v. 14); He appeared to them himself, when they were all together, as they sat at meat, which gave him an opportunity to eat and drink with them, for their full satisfaction; see Acts 10:41. And still, when he appeared to them, he upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, for even at the general meeting in Galilee, some doubted, as we find Mt. 28:17. Note, The evidences of the truth of the gospel are so full, that those who receive it not, may justly be upbraided with their unbelief; and it is owing not to any weakness or deficiency in the proofs, but to the hardness of their heart, its senselessness and stupidity. Though they had not till now seen him themselves, they are justly blamed because they believed not them who had seen him after he was risen; and perhaps it was owing in part to the pride of their hearts, that they did not; for they thought, "If indeed he be risen, to whom should he delight to do the honour of showing himself but to us?' And if he pass them by, and show himself to others first, they cannot believe it is he. Thus many disbelieve the doctrine of Christ, because they think it below them to give credit to such as he had chosen to be the witnesses and publishers of it. Observe, It will not suffice for an excuse of our infidelity in the great day, to say, "We did not see him after he was risen,' for we ought to have believed the testimony of those who did see him.
II. The commission which he gave them to set up his kingdom among men by the preaching of his gospel, the glad tidings of reconciliation to God through a Mediator. Now observe,
- 1. To whom they were to preach the gospel. Hitherto they had been sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and were forbidden to go into the way of the Gentiles, or into any city of the Samaritans; but now their commission is enlarged, and they are authorized to go into all the world, into all parts of the world, the habitable world, and to preach the gospel of Christ to every creature, to the Gentiles as well as to the Jews; to every human creature that is capable of receiving it. "Inform them concerning Christ, the history of his life, and death, and resurrection; instruct them in the meaning and intention of these, and of the advantages which the children of men have, or may have, hereby; and invite them, without exception, to come and share in them. This is gospel. Let this be preached in all places, to all persons.' These eleven men could not themselves preach it to all the world, much less to every creature in it; but they and the other disciples, seventy in number, with those who should afterward to be added to them, must disperse themselves several ways, and, wherever they went, carry the gospel along with them. They must send others to those places whither they could not go themselves, and, in short, make it the business of their lives to send those glad tidings up and down the world with all possible fidelity and care, not as an amusement or entertainment, but as a solemn message from God to men, and an appointed means of making men happy. "Tell as many as you can, and bid them tell others; it is a message of universal concern, and therefore, ought to have a universal welcome, because it gives a universal welcome.'
- 2. What is the summary of the gospel they are to preach (v. 16); "Set before the world life and death, good and evil. Tell the children of men that they are all in a state of misery and danger, condemned by their prince, and conquered and enslaved by their enemies.' This is supposed in their being saved, which they would not need to be if they were not lost. "Now go and tell them,'
  - (1.) "That if they believe the gospel, and give up themselves to be Christ's disciples; if they renounce the devil, the world, and the flesh, and be devoted to Christ as their prophet, priest, and king, and to God in Christ a their God in covenant, and evidence by their constant adherence to this covenant their sincerity herein, they shall be saved from the guilt and power of sin, it shall not rule them, it shall not ruin them. He that is a true Christian, shall be saved through Christ.' Baptism was appointed to be the inaugurating rite, by which those that embraced Christ owned him; but it is here put rather for the thing signified than for the sign, for Simon Magus believed and was baptized, yet was not saved, Acts 8:13. Believing with the heart, and confessing with the mouth the Lord Jesus (Rom. 10:9), seems to be much the same with this here. Or thus, We must assent to gospel-truths, and consent to gospel-terms.
  - (2.) "If they believe not, if they receive not the record God gives concerning his Son, they cannot expect any other way of salvation, but must inevitably perish; they shall be damned, by the sentence of a despised gospel, added to that of a broken law.' And even this is gospel, it is good news, that nothing else but unbelief shall damn men, which is a sin against the remedy. Dr. Whitby here observes, that they who hence infer "that the infant seed of believers are not capable of baptism, because they cannot believe, must hence also infer that they cannot be saved; faith being here more expressly required to salvation than to baptism. And that in the latter clause baptism is omitted, because it is not simply the want of baptism, but the contemptuous neglect of it, which makes men guilty of damnation, otherwise infants might be damned for the mistakes or profaneness of their parents.'
- 3. What power they should be endowed with, for the confirmation of the doctrine they were to preach (v. 17); These signs shall follow them that believe. Not that all who believe, shall be able to produce these signs, but some, even as many as were employed in propagating the faith, and bringing others to it; for signs are intended for them that believe not; see 1 Co. 14:22. It added much to the glory and evidence of the gospel, that the preachers not only wrought miracles themselves, but conferred upon others a power to work miracles, which power followed some of them that believed, wherever they went to preach. They shall do wonders in Christ's name, the same name into which they were baptized, in the virtue of power derived from him, and fetched in by prayer. Some particular signs are mentioned;
  - (1.) They shall cast out devils; this power was more common among Christians than any other, and lasted longer, as appears by the testimonies of Justin Martyr, Origen, Irenaeus, Tertullian Minutius Felix, and others, cited by Grotius on this place.
  - (2.) They shall speak with new tongues, which they had never learned, or been acquainted with; and this was both a miracle (a miracle upon the mind), for the confirming of the truth of the gospel, and a means of spreading the gospel among those nations that had not heard it. It saved the preachers a vast labour in learning the languages; and, no doubt, they who by miracle were made masters of languages, were complete masters of them and of all their native elegancies, which were proper both to instruct and affect, which would very much recommend them and their preaching.
  - (3.) They shall take up serpents. This was fulfilled in Paul, who was not hurt by the viper that fastened on his hand, which was acknowledged a great miracle by the barbarous people, Acts 28:5, 6. They shall be kept unhurt by that generation of vipers among whom they live, and by the malice of the old serpent.
  - (4.) If they be compelled by their persecutors to drink any deadly poisonous thing, it shall not hurt them: of which very thing some instances are found in ecclesiastical history.
  - (5.) They shall not only be preserved from hurt themselves, but they shall be enabled to do good to others; They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover, as multitudes had done by their master's healing touch. Many of the elders of the church had this power, as appears by Jam. 5:14, where, as an instituted sign of this miraculous healing, they are said to anoint the sick with oil in the name of the Lord. With what assurance of success might they go about executing their commission, when they had such credentials as these to produce!

Mar 16:19-20