Mark 16

Mark 16 is the final chapter of the Gospel of Mark and centers on the resurrection of Jesus, beginning with the discovery of the empty tomb by Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, who find the stone rolled away and an angel announcing Jesus' resurrection (Mark 16:1-8). The chapter highlights the transformational power of the resurrection, moving from fear and doubt to belief and joy, and it concludes with the Great Commission, where Jesus instructs the disciples to preach the gospel to all creation and mentions signs that will accompany believers, such as casting out demons and healing the sick (Mark 16:15-18).

A key textual issue with Mark 16 is the ending: the two earliest manuscripts end at verse 8, where the women flee the tomb in fear and say nothing to anyone about what they saw. Verses 9-20, known as the "Longer Ending," are absent from the oldest manuscripts and widely considered a later addition by textual critics though they appear in many modern Bibles with notations about their disputed authenticity. This longer ending includes appearances of the risen Jesus, commissioning the disciples, accounts of signs and miracles, and Jesus’ ascension.

Mark 16 powerfully serves to underline themes of resurrection, faith overcoming doubt, and the continuation of Jesus’ mission through His followers. The original ending at verse 8 emphasizes human fear and disbelief, inviting readers to wrestle with faith challenges themselves.

In summary, Mark 16 narrates the resurrection event beginning with the empty tomb and angelic message, transitions to Jesus’ instructions to spread the gospel (Great Commission), and ends with a contested longer passage describing post-resurrection appearances and miracles. It is both a theological climax and a text of debated manuscript history in biblical scholarship.

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