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Mark 16:15
ESV And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
NIV He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
NASB And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
CSB Then he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
NLT And then he told them, 'Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.
KJV And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
NKJV And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

What does Mark 16:15 mean?

Most likely, this verse is part of a later footnote, accidentally copied as part of the text by a later scribe. This is a summary of the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19. There, Jesus says, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Jesus tells this to the disciples on a mountain in Galilee, possibly the same mountain where He first called the Twelve to follow Him (Mark 3:13–19).

After this, Jesus will continue teaching until forty days have passed since the resurrection (Acts 1:3). Jesus will take His disciples back south, toward Jerusalem, and ascend into heaven near Bethany (Luke 24:50–51). Emboldened by the resurrection, the disciples will return to the temple and worship God.

In the Old Testament times and during Jesus' ministry, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit was strategic and usually temporary. The seventy elders who helped Moses lead the Jews had the Spirit and prophesied for a time (Numbers 11:25). Saul, king of Israel, had the same experience—twice (1 Samuel 10:10; 19:22–24). Even the anointing of the Holy Spirit Jesus gave the disciples after the resurrection seems to have been temporary (John 20:22).

The disciples cannot fulfill the Great Commission under their own power. They need the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit which they cannot have until Jesus leaves (John 16:7). Soon, at Pentecost, in a house in Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit will come (Acts 2:1–4). Disciples who had scattered when guards came to arrest Jesus (Mark 14:50) will welcome the chance to go to trial to testify about Jesus (Acts 4:1–31). Brash, impulsive Peter will be the first preacher of the gospel (Acts 2:14–41). And the gospel will spread throughout all the world.

"Proclaim" is from the Greek root word kerusso. Jesus' command is akin to a herald shouting out what needs to be heard. "All" is from the Greek root word pas. It can mean "each and every," or it can mean "some of all types." "Creation" is from the Greek root word ktisis, and can mean anything created or it can mean a foundation or founding a new thing. The disciples are called to preach the truth to the people and places that will start the church.
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