Chapter 16

When the Sabbath was over . . . The picture at the end of chapter 15 culminates with Jesus being laid to rest in the tomb thus gaining “rest” for them all. Chapter 16 makes the new beginning of the resurrection of Jesus from death. We were left with the Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses involved in laying Jesus to rest, and now we join them going to the grave site to finish the job of embalming. They were little prepared for the fact that the job would have become obsolete. Just as all of them could not get their minds wrapped around the truth of Jesus impending death, so now none were expecting to find the empty tomb. The two women were worried about who would open the tomb for them when they saw the open two and the two men in white sitting inside. They are given the word to go ahead to Galilee and meet Jesus there.

Mark’s ending is unique to the entire Gospel’s. The reaction of fear and amazement paralyzing them is found nowhere else. Mark records that they “said nothing to anyone for they were afraid.”

Most translations of the text record three separate endings. The first is that which we just recorded, the abrupt ending with paralysis. The second ending records a brief encounter with Jesus who commands Peter and the others to go out and spread the word. The third accounts for verses 9 through 20 in which a brief excursus about Mary Magdalene “from whom he had cast out seven demons.” The gospel accounts to not make mention of Mary being possessed of demons. The account then represents meeting “two other on the road” (reminiscent of the Luke’s account of the two on the road to Emmaus). The story then ends with the commission present in Matthew to proclaim and baptize along with the proclamation that “those who believe and are baptized with saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned.”

There are ancient texts that record the presence of either one or the other of the first two endings. The third ending appears to be present in texts of the second century. It is highly likely that this third ending actually reflects the additional text in the form of the teaching of the church of the second century. This third ending makes account of the teachings about the resurrection of Jesus and the impact of that event on the church. The laying on hands by the disciples brings healing. This among other things is a sign to confirm the resurrection of Jesus.

Thursday, October 08, 2009