MEASURES OF THE MESSIAH FROM MARK:
The Witness for Jesus (Mark 16:1-20)
The Witness for Jesus (Mark 16:1-20)
Dr. Paul Manuel—2014
Some people have difficulty adjusting to new things, be it the controls on a new appliance, or the demands of a new diet, or the addition of a new family member.
The four gospels each tell the story of Jesus, from the start of his ministry (sometimes a little earlier) to his death and resurrection (sometimes a little later). Mark's account, however, has a different ending. Look at chapter 16, where you may have a note at the end of verse 8 indicating that the earliest and most reliable Greek manuscripts stop here, with the report that Jesus' body is missing from the tomb. Mark leaves his readers to ponder the meaning of that disappearance.
A later Christian editor, evidently thinking the story needed a fuller and more satisfying conclusion, appended additional details other gospel writers include, as well as some original material that only appears here. While I do not advocate preaching from dubious passages, it is instructive to note what is part of holy writ and what is not.1 Chapter 16 opens with a discovery of the empty tomb, and...
I. The Prospect Is Exciting (Mark 16:1-8).2
The stone, which is both very large and very heavy, is no longer blocking the mouth of the tomb. The women enter and are even more amazed at what they see and hear, as...
Have you ever kept silent about your faith in the Lord? When God gives you a chance to speak, it is often without much advance warning. The door opens suddenly—so it seems—and closes all too quickly. At that point, the pressure is off, and you may feel relieved. The situation has changed, or the person is gone. Still, you said nothing, and there is a nagging feeling that you should have. How can you prepare for chance encounters? ...Because you do not know when they will come, you need to be ready at all times, which means that you need to prepare now. "That's impossible!" you say. "There are too many variables. How can a person be ready for any and every contingency?" You cannot, of course, but just because you cannot prepare for everything does not mean that you should not prepare for anything. Every Christian should know and be able to communicate some basic information simply. For example, the apostle Paul mentions some essential elements in...
The empty tomb is where the earliest text of Mark ends, leaving the author's readers to investigate the matter for themselves.4 One of them who did, added material he may have gleaned from other accounts, including the other gospels. To dispel the disciples' fear and strengthen their resolve, Jesus meets with them, and...
II. The Proof Is Expansive (Mark 16:9-14).5
Notice the prominent role women play in the resurrection account. They are not anonymous figures, but disciples of Jesus whom Mark identifies by name.7 Women have an important role in the gospels and in the church today. Congregations would be noticeably weaker, if they continued to exist at all, without the active involvement of women. Thank you, ladies, for your part in the ministry here. Without the women of this fellowship, our worship would be considerably poorer and our work for the kingdom would be far less effective.
In vv. 15-16, Jesus gives the eleven their marching orders, what he expects them to do now that they know he is alive, and...
III. The Program Is Exacting (Mark 16:15-16).
God respects our freedom of choice, and He will not force a person into the kingdom who will not go. That is one difference between Christianity and Judaism on one hand and Islam on the other hand. The Quran advocates the militant expansion of Islam, instructing Muslims to confront those who will not believe and either convert them or kill them.8 Forced conversion is not, however, the way God operates. So when bringing people the good news, you may try to convince your audience, but you must never try to coerce your audience. God wants people's willing allegiance, not their grudging compliance.
Much of what this editor adds to chapter 16 appears in one or more of the other gospels. The next two verses, though, have no parallel in the other accounts of Jesus' final days on earth, which means we must treat them cautiously. Here...
IV. The Provisions Are Extraordinary (Mark 16:17-20).
According to the Church of God with Signs Following, a religious sect that began in the Appalachian mountains during the 1940s, this final section in Mark's gospel about miraculous signs applies to ordinary believers today. Consequently, members of this group handle venomous snakes and drink poison to demonstrate their faith. Should you join them? ...Why not, if that is what the Bible teaches here? ...There are at least two potential problems with this passage:
Despite the help of some unidentified, well-meaning follower(s) of Jesus, Mark seems to have ended his account of the savior's life in v. 8, with the mystery of the empty tomb. In fact, this gospel story does not really end; it just stops. While we do not know what the biblical author was thinking, the earliest edition of the gospel—without the additional verses—leaves readers with two questions.
If someone expresses an interest in what you believe and wants to know more, you might suggest that he read Mark's gospel. There may be some uncertainty about the way it ends, but that uncertainty can be a good discussion starter in The Witness for Jesus, in your witness for Jesus.
When Sarah came home from the hospital with her second baby, she hired Myrna, a live-in-nurse, to help for the first few weeks. Having read about sibling rivalry, Sarah watched her eighteen-month-old daughter Chelsey for signs of jealousy or insecurity with the new addition, but Chelsey adored her little brother. She loved to help Myrna feed and bathe him. He was so cute. She even offered to share her toys. Several weeks passed and Sarah, convinced that Chelsey was suffering no ill effects, decided she could manage without a nurse. As she watched Myrna walk to her car that last day, she heard an unmistakable cry of distress. "Myrna!" yelled Chelsey, running after her... "You forgot your baby!"Some people have difficulty adjusting to new things, especially if they are uncertain about them. People were uncertain about the ending of Mark's gospel. At least one copyist thought it was too abrupt, that it was missing vital information and needed to be revised accordingly.
The four gospels each tell the story of Jesus, from the start of his ministry (sometimes a little earlier) to his death and resurrection (sometimes a little later). Mark's account, however, has a different ending. Look at chapter 16, where you may have a note at the end of verse 8 indicating that the earliest and most reliable Greek manuscripts stop here, with the report that Jesus' body is missing from the tomb. Mark leaves his readers to ponder the meaning of that disappearance.
A later Christian editor, evidently thinking the story needed a fuller and more satisfying conclusion, appended additional details other gospel writers include, as well as some original material that only appears here. While I do not advocate preaching from dubious passages, it is instructive to note what is part of holy writ and what is not.1 Chapter 16 opens with a discovery of the empty tomb, and...
I. The Prospect Is Exciting (Mark 16:1-8).2
Mark 16:1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb, 3 and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?" 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6 "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There You will see him, just as he told you." 8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.The Sabbath, coming as it did so soon after Jesus' death, prevented his followers from preparing the body for its interment in the tomb. The responsibility for this task falls properly to the disciples, but the men of that group are in hiding, afraid the Jewish or Roman authorities will arrest them. Evidently, the women of that group are not afraid. Their concern is more mundane: "Who will move the stone?" What they find upon reaching the tomb is not what they expect.
The stone, which is both very large and very heavy, is no longer blocking the mouth of the tomb. The women enter and are even more amazed at what they see and hear, as...
A. The angel testifies....about the risen savior. The man invites them to see for themselves, and...
B. The women verify....that Jesus is no longer there. The angel then instructs them to spread the news among the other disciples, but fear keeps the women from saying anything about their experience, at least, not right away.
Have you ever kept silent about your faith in the Lord? When God gives you a chance to speak, it is often without much advance warning. The door opens suddenly—so it seems—and closes all too quickly. At that point, the pressure is off, and you may feel relieved. The situation has changed, or the person is gone. Still, you said nothing, and there is a nagging feeling that you should have. How can you prepare for chance encounters? ...Because you do not know when they will come, you need to be ready at all times, which means that you need to prepare now. "That's impossible!" you say. "There are too many variables. How can a person be ready for any and every contingency?" You cannot, of course, but just because you cannot prepare for everything does not mean that you should not prepare for anything. Every Christian should know and be able to communicate some basic information simply. For example, the apostle Paul mentions some essential elements in...
1 Cor 15:3 ...what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6a After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time....What you say in support of what you believe does not have to be complicated or detailed or profound. It should be straightforward, sincere, and succinct. Furthermore, God gives assurance that He will help you to speak effectively, even under difficult conditions.3 Jesus says to the disciples in...
Luke 21:14 ...make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15a For I will give you words and wisdom....Through the Holy Spirit, he is able to speak to you and through you, addressing another's need in a way that is most appropriate. You cannot prepare for every scenario that might arise, but God can help you prepare for every scenario that will arise.
The empty tomb is where the earliest text of Mark ends, leaving the author's readers to investigate the matter for themselves.4 One of them who did, added material he may have gleaned from other accounts, including the other gospels. To dispel the disciples' fear and strengthen their resolve, Jesus meets with them, and...
II. The Proof Is Expansive (Mark 16:9-14).5
Mark 16:9 When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week,6 he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. 12 Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. 13 These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either. 14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.Jesus begins small and, at first...
A. He appears to one....that person being Mary Magdalene, a member of the trio who discovered the empty tomb. Later, that same day...
B. He appears to two.Luke places this pair on the road to Emmaus, a small village "about seven miles from Jerusalem" (Luke:24:17). That evening...
C. He appears to eleven....who, John notes, are in hiding, "with the doors locked for fear of the Jew[ish authoritie]s" (20:19). Nevertheless, in conjunction with the empty tomb, these appearances certify that the savior has risen indeed.
Notice the prominent role women play in the resurrection account. They are not anonymous figures, but disciples of Jesus whom Mark identifies by name.7 Women have an important role in the gospels and in the church today. Congregations would be noticeably weaker, if they continued to exist at all, without the active involvement of women. Thank you, ladies, for your part in the ministry here. Without the women of this fellowship, our worship would be considerably poorer and our work for the kingdom would be far less effective.
In vv. 15-16, Jesus gives the eleven their marching orders, what he expects them to do now that they know he is alive, and...
III. The Program Is Exacting (Mark 16:15-16).
Mark 16:15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.The assignment is demanding but straightforward: Go everywhere and tell everyone. That is the apostles' responsibility...
A. They must preach.Notice, however, how that is the extent of their responsibility, because the next step is that...
B. Others must believe.Notice also that baptism, while important, is not what determines a person's salvation or condemnation. God makes that decision according to the individual's faith. (If it were not so, which unbaptized New Testament character could not have entered Paradise?)
God respects our freedom of choice, and He will not force a person into the kingdom who will not go. That is one difference between Christianity and Judaism on one hand and Islam on the other hand. The Quran advocates the militant expansion of Islam, instructing Muslims to confront those who will not believe and either convert them or kill them.8 Forced conversion is not, however, the way God operates. So when bringing people the good news, you may try to convince your audience, but you must never try to coerce your audience. God wants people's willing allegiance, not their grudging compliance.
Much of what this editor adds to chapter 16 appears in one or more of the other gospels. The next two verses, though, have no parallel in the other accounts of Jesus' final days on earth, which means we must treat them cautiously. Here...
IV. The Provisions Are Extraordinary (Mark 16:17-20).
Mark 16:17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." 19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.Several of the unusual abilities on this list of miraculous powers appear elsewhere in the New Testament, showing that they are both possible and actual in the lives of these followers of Jesus.9 The original commission he gave to the apostles included the first and final items. In...10
Matt 10:1 He called [the] twelve...to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.In Acts, the apostles, including Paul, continue to heal and exorcise after Jesus' ascension,11 substantiating this prediction that....
A. They will cast out demons, and
E. They will heal various diseases.At Pentecost, when the disciples receive a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit,12 the second item finds fulfillment,13 that...
B. They will speak other languages.The next item on the list may also have been part of the disciples' earlier commission. Jesus says in...
When the apostle Paul was shipwrecked on the island of Malta...Luke 10:19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
This is the only recorded incident in the New Testament of dealing with poisonous snakes, but it accords with the prediction that...Acts 28:3 ...a viper...fastened itself on his hand.... 5 But Paul shook the snake off...and suffered no ill effects.
C. They will handle dangerous snakes.The next item on the list has no New Testament example, that...
D. They will drink deadly poisons.In most cases, those in the New Testament who engage in these activities are not ordinary disciples, everyday followers of Jesus. Instead, those who engage in these activities are apostles, whom the Holy Spirit sends with the message of the gospel and sometimes confirms with miraculous signs.
According to the Church of God with Signs Following, a religious sect that began in the Appalachian mountains during the 1940s, this final section in Mark's gospel about miraculous signs applies to ordinary believers today. Consequently, members of this group handle venomous snakes and drink poison to demonstrate their faith. Should you join them? ...Why not, if that is what the Bible teaches here? ...There are at least two potential problems with this passage:
- The first problem, that I mentioned earlier, is its authenticity. Verses 9-20 do not appear in the best Greek manuscripts of Mark's gospel, which makes their place in the New Testament here suspect, and you do not develop doctrine from a dubious text.14
- The second problem is its audience. Jesus, if he is indeed speaking, directs his remarks to "the Eleven" (v. 14), those he commissions as apostles and who will take the gospel to the ends of the earth. If you are not an apostle, do not assume that a command addressed to others automatically applies to you.
Despite the help of some unidentified, well-meaning follower(s) of Jesus, Mark seems to have ended his account of the savior's life in v. 8, with the mystery of the empty tomb. In fact, this gospel story does not really end; it just stops. While we do not know what the biblical author was thinking, the earliest edition of the gospel—without the additional verses—leaves readers with two questions.
- The first question is about Jesus, and is probably what the three women asked: "How can he live?"
- The second question is about the disciples, like the three women ...like you: "How should you live?"
If someone expresses an interest in what you believe and wants to know more, you might suggest that he read Mark's gospel. There may be some uncertainty about the way it ends, but that uncertainty can be a good discussion starter in The Witness for Jesus, in your witness for Jesus.
For the Bibliography and Endnotes, see the pdf here.
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Jim Skaggs