Bullet Point Bible

The Empty Tomb and Angelic Message

¹ When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought aromatic spices so that they might go and anoint him.² And very early on the first day of the week, at sunrise, they went to the tomb.³ They had been asking each other, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?"⁴ But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled back.⁵ Then as they went into the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.⁶ But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has been raised! He is not here. Look, there is the place where they laid him.⁷ But go, tell his disciples, even Peter, that he is going ahead of you into Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you."⁸ Then they went out and ran from the tomb, for terror and bewilderment had seized them. And they said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

The women's intention to anoint Jesus' body shows their continued devotion and lack of expectation regarding the resurrection, despite Jesus' predictions (Mark 8:31, 9:31, 10:34).
Their arrival "very early on the first day of the week" (Sunday) establishes the timing of the resurrection, which became the primary day of Christian worship.
The question "Who will roll away the stone?" highlights the practical obstacle they anticipated and underscores the miraculous nature of the stone already being moved.
The "young man dressed in a white robe" is likely an angel, similar to descriptions in other resurrection accounts (Matthew 28:2-3, Luke 24:4, John 20:12). White robes often symbolize purity and heavenly origin.
The angel's message confirms the core of the gospel: Jesus the Nazarene, the crucified one, has been raised ("He has been raised!" - Greek *ēgerthē*, passive voice, indicating God raised him).
The specific instruction to tell the disciples "even Peter" is significant, offering restoration and inclusion for Peter after his denial (Mark 14:66-72).
The mention of Galilee points back to Jesus' earlier promise (Mark 14:28) and sets the stage for future appearances described in other Gospels.
The women's reaction – trembling, astonishment, fear, and silence – is a realistic portrayal of encountering the divine and the unexpected.
**Textual Note:** The earliest and most reliable manuscripts of Mark's Gospel conclude abruptly at verse 8. This stark ending, emphasizing fear and silence, has generated much scholarly discussion about Mark's original intention. Some scholars believe Mark intended this abrupt ending, while others think the original ending was lost.
The abrupt ending forces the reader to contemplate the implications of the resurrection announcement without immediate resolution or description of appearances within Mark's primary text.

Appearance to Mary Magdalene

⁹ [[Early on the first day of the week, after he arose, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had driven out seven demons.¹⁰ She went out and told those who were with him, while they were mourning and weeping.¹¹ And when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.

**Textual Note:** Verses 9-20, often called the "Longer Ending" of Mark, are absent from the oldest and most important Greek manuscripts (like Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus) and are stylistically different from the rest of the Gospel. Most scholars consider them a later addition, compiled from other Gospel traditions, though they were accepted as canonical early in church history. The NET Bible encloses vv. 9-20 in double square brackets to indicate this textual uncertainty.
This section begins a summary of post-resurrection appearances, starting with Mary Magdalene, consistent with John 20:11-18.
Mary Magdalene's status as the first witness is significant, especially given that women's testimony was often considered less reliable in that cultural context. Her past deliverance ("from whom he had cast out seven demons," Luke 8:2) highlights the transformative power of Christ.
The disciples' state of "mourning and weeping" underscores their despair and lack of faith in Jesus' resurrection promises.
Their refusal to believe Mary's report introduces a recurring theme in this section: the struggle of the disciples to accept the reality of the resurrection. This contrasts with the immediate belief often expected in faith narratives.

Appearance to Two Disciples

¹² After this he appeared in a different form to two of them while they were on their way to the country.¹³ They went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

**Textual Note:** This passage is part of the disputed "Longer Ending" (Mark 16:9-20).
This brief account likely corresponds to the more detailed story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus found in Luke 24:13-35.
Jesus appearing "in a different form" might explain why the disciples in Luke's account did not initially recognize him (Luke 24:16). It emphasizes the transformed nature of the resurrected body.
The theme of disbelief continues: even after a second report of an appearance, the other disciples remained skeptical.
This highlights the difficulty the early followers had in grasping the unprecedented event of the resurrection, reinforcing the idea that their eventual faith was based on compelling evidence, not wishful thinking.

Jesus Commissions the Eleven

¹⁴ Then he appeared to the eleven themselves, while they were eating, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen him resurrected.¹⁵ He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.¹⁶ The one who believes and is baptized will be saved, but the one who does not believe will be condemned.¹⁷ These signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages;¹⁸ they will pick up snakes with their hands, and whatever poison they drink will not harm them; they will place their hands on the sick and they will be well."

**Textual Note:** This passage is part of the disputed "Longer Ending" (Mark 16:9-20).
Jesus finally appears to the eleven remaining apostles (Judas Iscariot being absent). His rebuke addresses their persistent "unbelief and hardness of heart," directly confronting their failure to trust the eyewitness accounts.
The commission in verse 15 is a version of the "Great Commission" (cf. Matthew 28:18-20), commanding a universal mission ("all the world," "every creature"). The core message is the "gospel" – the good news of salvation through Christ.
Verse 16 links belief, baptism, and salvation, while stating clearly that condemnation results from unbelief, not the absence of baptism. This verse has been central to discussions about the necessity and role of baptism.
Verses 17-18 list extraordinary signs predicted to accompany believers. These include exorcism, glossolalia (speaking in tongues), protection from harm (snakes, poison), and healing.
These signs echo experiences recorded in the book of Acts (e.g., Acts 2:4 - tongues; Acts 16:18 - exorcism; Acts 28:3-6 - snakebite; Acts 3:6-8 - healing) and were seen by some in the early church as marks of authentic faith and divine power.
The mention of handling snakes and drinking poison is particularly controversial and has been interpreted variously; it's not presented as a command or a test, but as a potential sign of divine protection in the course of mission. These specific signs are less frequently attested elsewhere in the New Testament compared to healing, exorcism, and tongues.
The commission emphasizes that the proclamation of the gospel is central, and these signs serve to authenticate the message and demonstrate God's power working through believers.

The Ascension and Continued Ministry

¹⁹ After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.²⁰ They went out and proclaimed everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through the accompanying signs.]]

**Textual Note:** This passage concludes the disputed "Longer Ending" (Mark 16:9-20).
Verse 19 describes the Ascension of Jesus, his return to the Father's presence (similar to Luke 24:51 and Acts 1:9-11).
Jesus "sat down at the right hand of God," signifying the completion of his earthly work, his supreme authority, and his role as intercessor (cf. Psalm 110:1, Hebrews 1:3, Romans 8:34). This is known as the Session of Christ.
Verse 20 provides a summary of the apostolic age: the disciples obeyed the commission ("went out and preached everywhere"), experienced the Lord's continuing presence and power ("the Lord worked with them"), and saw the message confirmed by accompanying signs, fulfilling the prediction in Mark 16:17-18.
This ending provides a sense of closure and transition to the story of the early church, as detailed in the book of Acts.
While textually secondary, this ending reflects the historical reality of the church's mission and its understanding of Christ's ongoing work through his followers, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
It serves as a bridge between the Gospel narrative focused on Jesus' life and the subsequent narrative of the church's expansion.

The Bullet Point Bible

Mark 16