Mark 16:9-13

Author's note:

There can be not reasonable doubt as to the authenticity of the last passage in Mark, vv.9-20. The gospel surely did not end with v.8. Being the end of the parchment roll, this passage may have been mutilated in many manuscripts. But though it is missing in many of the ancient manuscripts, it is found in the Freer (Washington) Manuscript, with an addition to v. 14 (Cobern, The New Archeological Discoveries, 64. 583. 194). The style shows the concise, vivid narrative of Mark. Many terms, to the careful reader at least, show the influence of Peter. The simplest and most comprehensive summaries on the question are those of Fuerbringer, Einleitung in das Neue Testament, 27-29, and Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Vol. 1.

The Appearances and the Ascension of Jesus. Mark 16, 9-20.

The appearance to Mary Magdalene: V. 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. V. 10. And she went and told them that had been with Him as they mourned and wept. V. 11. And they, when they had heard that He was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. Just how highly Jesus thought of the women that had served Him so faithfully, especially during the last year and the closing weeks of His life, is evident from the fact that He appeared to one of these, to Mary Magdalene, first.

The evangelist is here evidently summarizing the events of the forty days after the resurrection of Christ in his characteristically brief manner. He therefore does not give a full account of this meeting with Christ, as John did, 20, 14-18, but enumerates this appearance as one of many. And for the sake of the readers that were looking for distinguishing marks, he identifies Mary Magdalene as the woman out of whom Christ had driven seven devils.

No sooner had Mary received this evidence of the Lord's resurrection than she hurried to tell it, not only to the apostles, but to all the disciples that were at Jerusalem, who were now in bitter grief over their great loss. So deeply had the Passion and death of their Master affected these people that they simply refused to believe this eye-witness. Their hearts had not yet risen to an understanding of the prophecies of Christ concerning His resurrection, as often as He had tried to impress this fact upon their minds. Another bit of evidence against the theory of the Lord's stolen body.

The appearance to the Emmaus disciples: V. 12. After that He appeared in another form unto two of them as they walked and went into the country. V. 13. And they went and told it unto the residue; neither believed they them. This is undoubtedly a summary of the afternoon's events, as related by Luke, 24, 13-35. In a different form He came to them on the way, as these two were on their way to Emmaus, in an unusual dress or bearing, as is evident from Luke's remark that their eyes were held.

This second appearance should have convinced all of the disciples, not merely the apostles, though, for that matter, there were some that doubted even among them. But even now most of the rest, of the disciples at large, believed them not. That was the situation on the evening of Easter Day, in spite of an appearance to Peter that took place some time in the course of the day, and in spite of the joyful call of those that had gained the conviction of His having risen.