Mark 16:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept.

NIV: She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping.

NASB: She went and reported to those who had been with Him, while they were mourning and weeping.

CSB: She went and reported to those who had been with him, as they were mourning and weeping.

NLT: She went to the disciples, who were grieving and weeping, and told them what had happened.

KJV: And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.

NKJV: She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept.

Although this verse is not original to Mark's writing, its content is corroborated in John 20:18. Mark 16:8 says that the women talk to no one when they leave the tomb. That is, they talk to no one while they hurry back to the place the disciples are staying. Once they arrive, they tell the disciples the tomb is empty (John 20:2). Mary Magdalene follows Peter and John back to the tomb (John 20:3–9). After they leave, Jesus appears to her, and she returns and tells the disciples (John 20:11–18).

Falsely, some claim Jesus meant for Mary Magdalene to be the leader of the disciples after His ascension. Part of that claim is that this passage teaches she is "Apostle to the apostles."

An apostle is "one who is sent." Specifically, it means one who is sent out by Jesus to spread the gospel. In the church, the term is used both as an office and a role. Jesus sends out the twelve disciples (Matthias is included in Acts 1:12–26) specifically to teach the gospel of salvation. These twelve are the foundation of the church (Revelation 21:14). Others hold the role of apostle, including Paul (Romans 11:13) and Barnabas (Acts 13:2).

Mary may be considered an apostle only under the second definition: as a role, not an office of authority. Jesus does not send her to preach to the world but to witness to His disciples in a specific place and time. She had an important role in Jesus' life, but He did not choose her to lead after Him.

Mark 16:9–11 is not found in the oldest and most reliable manuscripts of the Bible. This passage is, however, an echo of John 20:11–18. After Mary Magdalene and the other women return to the disciples and report that Jesus' body is gone, Peter and John check for themselves (John 20:3–9). Mary follows and stays while Peter and John return. While she weeps, two angels comfort her.

After the mandatory time of rest, several of Jesus' female followers approach His tomb intending to anoint the body. Their primary concern is who will open the tomb for them so they can honor Jesus' remains. They arrive to find the tomb open, empty, and watched over by angels. After hearing from these beings (Luke 24:4–7), the women leave in fear, speaking only to the disciples. This ends the original, God-inspired text of the Gospel of Mark. Verses 9–20 are mostly corroborated by other Scripture, but were not part of the initial writing.

Leading up to chapter 16, Jesus has been unfairly tried and executed by crucifixion. Starting in this passage, Jesus' women followers find an empty tomb, but don't know what it means. Jesus' work for our salvation is done, but explaining that to His disciples will take another forty days (Acts 1:3). And telling the world is a work that will continue until His return. The resurrection and events after are also covered in Matthew 28, Luke 24, John 20—21, and Acts 1:1–11. The most reliable copies of the Gospel of Mark leave the disciples where they have spent much of the story: confused and afraid. Jesus is risen, but they haven't yet accepted that. Everything after verse 9 is most likely a later scribal addition.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.