Mark 16

1 anoint Him. See John xix. 40. It is possible that they bought the spices on Friday just before the sabbath began (Luke xxiii. 56), and prepared them after its close on Saturday evening.

4 for it was very great. Its size not only caused their anxiety, but enabled them, “when they looked” from a distance, to see that it was moved.

5 a young man. That is, an angel in human form (see Gen. xix. 15, 16; Acts i. 10).

6. Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth. The Greek is very emphatic: “Ye seek Jesus, the Nazarene, the crucified.”

7 and Peter. This particular mention of Peter, found in this Gospel only, would assure the penitent disciple of his Lord’s forgiveness: comp. 1 Cor. xv. 5. The reference to Peter seems also to show that the vision of the angel occurred after Peter and John had left the sepulchre: see John xx. 10.

8 they trembled and were amazed. The R.V. more vividly represents the original: “trembling and astonishment had come upon them.”

Vers. 9-20. This section is absent from the two oldest MSS., one of which leaves a blank space after ver. 8, as if for the addition of some further matter. Eusebius and other early writers say (probably from Origen) that the “accurate copies” of Mark omit vers. 9-20: and in some later MSS. another and a shorter conclusion is added.* On the other hand, the verses are found in the great majority of existing MSS. as well as in most of the ancient versions, and are supported by Irenæus, as well as by Latin writers from Ambrose and Augustine onwards. It seems certain that vers. 8, 9 are not continuous: in any case there is a break in the narrative, the rest of the chapter being a rapid epitome in great contrast with Mark’s usual style of graphic narration. On the other hand, it is impossible to suppose that the Gospel ended abruptly with the words “for they were afraid”; and the omission of a concluding paragraph is well explained by supposing that the transcriber was interrupted in his work. The weight of modern critical opinion on the whole seems to be in favour of retaining the passage as authentic and canonical, but later than the rest of the Gospel. See Westcott, Introduction to the Study of the Gospels, p. 338; Westcott and Hort, Greek Testament, vol. ii. pp. 29-51; Scrivener, Introduction to the Criticism of the New Testament, pp. 583-590; Dean Burgon, The last Twelve verses of the Gospel according to St. Mark vindicated against recent objectors and established (1871); Dr. Salmon, Introduction to the New Testament, 4th edition, pp. 158-164, and the Commentaries on this Gospel; Dr. James Moffatt’s Translation of the New Testament, note on St. Mark xvi. 8.

• “And all that had been enjoined on them they reported briefly to the companions of Peter. And after these things Jesus Himself from the East even to the West sent forth by them the holy and incorruptible preaching of eternal salvation."—First found in MS. L, belonging to the eighth or the ninth century.

9. He appeared first to Mary Magdalene. See John xx. 11-17, and notes.

11 they . . . believed not. Certainly Thomas did not believe (John xx. 24, 25), and possibly some others of the disciples. But all doubt was soon dispelled: see Luke xxiv. 34-47. Most of these narratives end with the words “they believed not.” So far were the apostles from being credulous, that we are astonished at their slowness to believe.

12 in another form. He was only recognised upon His breaking and blessing the bread (Luke xxiv. 31-35). Lange explains by saying that He was wearing different clothes (comp. John xx. 15), that He bore traces of His sufferings during the crucifixion; and that, on the other hand, He was more sublime in His appearance.

13 neither believed they them. The two returning from Emmaus were met by the apostles with the tidings, “The Lord is risen indeed,” Luke xxiv. 33, 34. “The rest,” therefore, who did not believe the two disciples, must have been others of the professed followers of Jesus.

These verses contain an epitome of what our Lord said on various occasions; see Matt. xxviii. 18-20; Luke xxiv. 49; Acts i. 4-8.

15. Go ye into all the world, etc. See note on Matt. xxviii. 19.

to every creature. “By these words the missionary work is bound upon the Church through all ages, till every part of the earth shall have been evangelised."—Alford.

16 he that believeth not, etc. Unbelief, i.e., the rejection of the gospel in heart and life, shall condemn a man, whether baptised or unbaptised.—Alford.

17 these signs, etc. During the first age of the Church, these extraordinary gifts were not only exercised by the apostles themselves, but were also conveyed by them to others. (See Acts ii. 4; xvi. 18; xxviii. 8.) They were credentials for the authority of the apostles.

18 if they drink any deadly thing. Poisoning was extensively practised at this period. No instance of this Divine interposition is recorded in Scripture; but it is not more wonderful than others which are related.

19 sat on the right hand of God. Peculiar to Mark.

20 the Lord working with them. Thereby fulfilling His promise (Matt. xxviii. 20). This was the secret of their unparalleled success; the Lord wrought with them by His Spirit; fitting them to deliver, and preparing their hearers to receive, the saving truth of His gospel.

RENAN has described this Gospel as “the most beautiful book ever written, the hosanna of the little ones and the humble,” and there is a beauty in its language which is all its own. It is evident that its author was a man of education and culture. He is described by St. Paul as “the beloved physician” (Col. iv. 14). He was the companion of Paul in his missionary journeys (Acts xvi. 10-18; xx. 5, 6; xxi. 17, 18, and in his voyage to Rome (Acts xxvii.-

xxviii. 16), and was with him as, in his prison there, he looked forward to his approaching death (2 Tim. iv. 11). The date of the Gospel is uncertain, but it is later than St. Matthew and St. Mark, and may have been written after A.D. 70, perhaps as late as A.D. 80.

the enemies of God’s people, in all ages, to restrict and even put down their public worship. Zacharias may allude to Antiochus Epiphanes and the Romans, both of whom had interfered with the temple services.

without fear. That is, without the dread of enemies.