Mark 16 - Why Does Mark's Gospel Have Two Different Endings?

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Jesus Has Risen

Mark is the shortest of the four gospels written at 16 chapters. Most consider it the earliest gospel that the other gospel writers used as a baseline to write their gospels. This would help explain why it is the shortest. The other gospel primarily used Mark's account, and then added their own unique material. So we come to the end of Mark's gospel with his account of the resurrection of Jesus. 

Note that there are two different versions of chapter 16 that scholars use. The "shorter version" includes Mark 16:1-8. The "longer version" adds verses 9-20. Generally speaking interpreters prefer the shorter version to the longer version, because there is less likelihood that extra verses were added in later. As we read the shorter version we see how abruptly it ends. 

"Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid." Mark 16:8

The three women are Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome. The same women who were the only disciples left at Jesus' crucifixion. They had come faithfully to anoint Jesus' body with spices, showing their faithfulness to him. They came on the first day of the week, which was Sunday for the Jews. They came at sunrise perhaps to avoid being seen. 

Since they needed to get in the tomb/cave, they wondered who would roll away the large stone covering the tomb. Note many estimate the weight of the large stones in the "tons". This is one of the great arguments for Jesus' resurrection. I.e. No person could have rolled away the stone to steal Jesus' body to make it look like he was risen from the dead. 

When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe in the tomb. Not surprisingly they were alarmed. After all, what was he doing there? The angel then told them that "Jesus the Nazarene" who was crucified had risen! Then, he told them to go and tell the disciples "and Peter". Interesting that Peter's name is set apart, which is one of the reasons people think Mark's gospel was taken from Peter. 

But not only had Jesus risen from the dead, he was "going ahead" of them to Galilee. Galilee is where he had called them to follow him. Then the shorter ending gospel of Mark ends very abruptly, "They fled the tomb and told no one because they were afraid." 

Now you understand why verses 9-16 were added later. What the other stories of Jesus' appearing to the disciples. Thomas wanting to put his fingers in Jesus' wounds. Jesus' reinstatement of Peter. Peter and John's race to see who get to the tomb first. The Road to Emmaus. Frankly, I am glad we have the three other gospels, so we didn't miss these exciting post-resurrection stories. 

So, what do verses 9-20 add? Answer. Quite a lot! 

Mark says Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. We don't hear about Mary, mother of James, or Salome. Next, we see Mary going to Jesus' other disciples who are not named. When she comes to them they are mourning and weeping. The only response he records is that they did not believe her. 

The next verse reports that Jesus had appeared to two of them walking in the country, and they too went to the tell the disciples, but they didn't believe them either.  This story, which is included in Luke, is called the "Road to Emmaus".

In the next verse it says Jesus appeared to the eleven while they were eating, and rebuked them for failing to believe Mary or the two men. It appears they came to believe as Jesus, as he then commissions them. The commission is similar but different than the commission known as the "Great Commission" in Matthew 28. 

Mark's Great Commission is, 

15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

One interesting note is that Mark says, "Whoever believes AND is baptized will be saved".  It definitely gives prominence to baptism, though Matthew also includes baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in his version. While Matthew includes being baptized as part of discipleship, Mark makes it a condition of being saved. 

We know that no one is saved by baptism, but Mark does show how important baptism is in salvation Baptism follows belief. Baptism is a public proclamation of those who believe. We also see baptism connected with the reception of the Holy Spirit, specifically in John's gospel. 

Finally, Mark gives some of the characteristics of the disciples are they sent out by Jesus.

And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.

Snakes and poison, where is this coming from?

This promise is to be understood in the context of the dangers inherent in the worldwide spread of the gospel, as Paul was bitten by a snake and preserved on the island of Malta (Acts 28:1-6). Jesus never intended drinking poison or handling snakes to be a specific test or measure of faith.

Mark's gospel ends in this way, 

After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

We know in the hook of Acts that Jesus ascended back to the Father after 40 days. After he ascended Mark says, "He sat at the right hand of God."

“He is said to sit on the right hand of God, to distinguish him from angels, whose places are but places of ministration.” (Poole)

There are 21 verses in the New Testament that affirm that when Jesus went to heaven he sat at the right hand of the Father. 

As I mentioned at the beginning, Mark's gospel is often called "the power gospel". In the last verse, Mark 16:20 says that the Lord worked with the disciples as they preached the gospel and confirmed their message with the signs that accompanied it. 

So the disciples preached the Word and then demonstrated the power of it. The miracles affirmed and authenticated the message. It was a message followed by a miracle. While the church throughout its history has been somewhat comfortable in preaching God's Word, sometimes we shy away from calling on God to do miracles as a confirmation of the power of the Word. 

When we go out to do the work of God, Jesus will work with us. The disciples did what Jesus told them to do, and Jesus then did what only He could do – the accompanying signs.

This is an excellent pattern for ministry. The preaching came first and then the signs following. Signs are meant to follow believers, instead of believers following after signs.

The final verse continues to this day. The followers of Jesus are still preaching everywhere, the Lord is still working with them, and He is still confirming His word through accompanying signs. Amen!

Well, we've finished the second gospel of Mark so tomorrow we are on the Luke! Luke will provide many other details that the other gospels didn't!