Mark 16:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: [Some of the earliest manuscripts do not include 16:9–20.] [[Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.

NIV: When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons.

NASB: [[ Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons.

CSB: Early on the first day of the week, after he had risen, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons.

NLT: After Jesus rose from the dead early on Sunday morning, the first person who saw him was Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons.

KJV: Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

NKJV: Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons.

This verse is not included in the oldest and most reliable biblical manuscripts. Modern Bible versions often include it in brackets or footnotes.

Mary Magdalene is thought to be from the town of Magdala on the western coast of the Sea of Galilee, southwest of Capernaum. She is one of several women who have followed Jesus and supported His ministry with their own money (Luke 8:1–3). Luke confirms that Jesus rescued her from seven demons, but the inclusion of this comment here is more evidence that the passage is not original. There's no reason for Mark to mention it after introducing her in the previous chapter (Mark 15:40).

As Mary Magdalene weeps at Jesus' tomb, two angels, sitting on the stone bench where Jesus had lain, comfort her (John 20:11–17). She then hears someone behind her and thinks it's the gardener. When He speaks her name, she realizes it's Jesus. She comes to Him and holds fast; John says she "clings" to Him. "Cling" is from the Greek root word hapto and means to bind together. In chemistry, it means to bind molecules together. Mary doesn't just cling to Jesus, she holds so tightly she seems intent on never letting go.

Jesus responds, "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father…" (John 20:17). He validates Mary's intention but tells her the timing is wrong. There will come a time when we see Jesus and never have to be apart. Until then, we have to trust that the Holy Spirit is what we need (John 16:7).

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.