Mark 16:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

NIV: After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.

NASB: So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

CSB: So the Lord Jesus, after speaking to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

NLT: When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand.

KJV: So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

NKJV: So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.

This verse is not found in the most reliable manuscripts of the Gospel of Mark. However, the content of the first part of this verse is also recorded in Luke's writings (Luke 24:50–51; Acts 1:6–11). At the end of His forty days, Jesus took the disciples back toward Jerusalem. Near Bethany, He met with them one last time, telling them to wait in Jerusalem for the coming of the Holy Spirit. He reminded them that they do not know when Jesus' kingdom will start, so they need to concentrate on their work of spreading the gospel. "And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight" (Acts 1:9).

The second part of this verse is affirmed in several places. Jesus argues that the Messiah will sit at God's right hand in His teaching at the temple (Mark 12:35–37). Peter asserts that Jesus is at God's right hand during his first sermon after he received the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:33). Paul supports this later (Romans 8:34). As Stephen is being stoned, he says he sees Jesus standing at God's right hand (Acts 7:55).

"Right hand" has several different meanings in the Bible. It is often used as a symbol for strength and power (Psalm 18:35; 20:6). Sometimes it's included with the left hand to mean the speaker is surrounded or to give a sense of completeness (2 Samuel 16:6; Job 23:9; Proverbs 3:16). Several psalms assert that salvation comes from God's right hand (Psalm 60:5; 98:1; 108:6). Jesus means it as the seat on the right hand of the king for his most trusted advisor. David kept God, metaphorically, at his right hand (Psalm 16:8). When Bathsheba approached Solomon, he set a seat at his right hand for her (1 Kings 2:19). John and James asked if they could sit at Jesus' right and left (Mark 10:35–37).

Jesus speaks of Psalm 110:1 when He shows the Messiah will be greater than King David: "The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet'" (Mark 12:36). At God's right hand, Jesus acts as our advocate (1 John 2:1), an active witness that although everyone deserves hell (Romans 3:23; 6:23), those who have put their faith in Him are accounted righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Mark 16:14–20 is not part of the oldest, most trusted manuscripts of the Bible. Most of what this passage contains is covered in Matthew 28:16–20, Luke 24:36–43, and John 20:19–29. However, there are points on which these verses are unsubstantiated. The disciples finally realize Jesus will not overthrow the Romans, and they will not rule from twelve thrones, at least not yet (Matthew 19:28). First, they have work: spreading the message that Jesus has died for the sins of the world and is risen. In this mission, they will be able to perform miracles and endure dangers that would normally kill them.

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.