Bible Commentaries

Verse 2

At the rising of the sun ( ἀνατείλαντος τοῦ ἡλίου )

More correctly, as Rev., when the sun was risen.

Verse 3

Peculiar to Mark.

Verse 5

Affrighted

See Mark 9:15, and Introduction. Rev., better, amazed. It was wonder rather than fright.

Verse 8

Quickly

Omitted by best texts.

Astonishment ( ἔκστασις )

See on Mark 5:42.

Afraid ( ἐφοβοῦντο )

The wonder merges into fear.

By a large number of the ablest modern critics the remainder of this chapter is held to be from some other hand than Mark's. It is omitted from the two oldest manuscripts.

Verse 9

The first day of the week ( πρώτῃ σαββάτου )

A phrase which Mark does not use. In Mark 16:2 of this chapter it is μιᾶς σαββάτων

Out of whom he had cast seven devils

With Mark's well-known habit of particularizing, it is somewhat singular that this circumstance was not mentioned in either of the three previous allusions to Mary (Mark 15:40, Mark 15:47; Mark 16:1).

Out of whom ( ἀφ ' ἧς )

An unusual expression. Mark habitually uses the preposition ἐκ in this connection (Mark 1:25, Mark 1:26; Mark 5:8; Mark 7:26, Mark 7:29; Mark 9:25). Moreover, ἀπὸ , from, is used with ἐκβάλλειν , cast out, nowhere else in the New Testament. The peculiarity is equally marked if we read with some, παῤ ἧς .

Verse 10

She ( ἐκείνη )

An absolute use of the pronoun unexampled in Mark. See also Mark 16:11, Mark 16:13. It would imply an emphasis which is not intended. Compare Mark 4:11; Mark 12:4, Mark 12:5, Mark 12:7; Mark 14:21.

Went ( πορευθεῖσα )

So in Mark 16:12, Mark 16:15. Went, go. This verb for to go occurs nowhere else in this Gospel except in compounds.

Them that had been with him ( τοῖς μετ ' αὐτοῦ γενομένοις )

A circumlocution foreign to the Gospels.

Verse 12

After these things ( μετά ταῦτα )

An expression never used by Mark.

Another form ( ἑτέρᾳ μορφῇ )

More correctly, a different form.

Verse 14

Afterward ( ὕστερον )

Not found elsewhere in Mark. Often in Matthew.

Verse 15

To every creature ( τάσῃ τῇ κτίσει )

Rightly, as Rev.,to the whole creation.

Verse 16

Shall be damned ( κατακριθήσεται )

A most unfortunate rendering. The word is a judicial term, and, as Dr. Morison truthfully says, “determines, by itself, nothing at all concerning the nature, degree, or extent of the penalty to be endured.” See on the kindred noun, κρῖμα , judgment, rendered by A. V. damnation, 1 Corinthians 11:29. Rev., rightly, condemned.

Verse 17

Shall follow ( παρακολουθήσει )

The preposition παρά , alongside of, gives the sense of accompany.

Verse 18

The sick ( ἀρρώστους )

See on Mark 6:5.

Verse 20

Following ( ἐπακολουθούντων )

Following closely: force of ἐπί . Both this and the word for follow, in Mark 16:17, are foreign to Mark's diction, though he frequently uses the simple verb.

A manuscript of the eighth or ninth century, known as L, has, at the close of Mark 16:8, these words: “In some instances there is added as follows.” Then we read: “But all the things enjoined they announced without delay to those who were around Peter (i.e., to Peter and those who were with him). And afterward Jesus himself, from the east unto the west, sent forth through them the sacred and incorruptible message of eternal salvation.”

The subject of the last twelve verses of this Gospel may be found critically discussed in the second volume of Westcott and Hort's Greek Testament; by Dean John W. Burgon in his monograph, “The Last Twelve Verses of the Gospel according to St. Mark Vindicated against Recent Objectors and Established;” Frederick Henry Scrivener, LL.D., “Introduction to the Criticism of the New Testament;” James Morison, D.D., “Practical Commentary on the Gospel according to St. Mark;” Samuel Davidson, D.D., “Introduction to the Study of the New Testament;” Philip Schaff, D.D., “History of the Christian Church;” Canon F. C. Cook in “Speaker's Commentary on Mark;” Samuel P. Tregelles, LL.D., “On the Printed Text of the Greek Testament;” also in the commentaries of Alford and Meyer.

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