CHAPTER XVI. _Early in the morning after the Sabbath, the three Marys come to_ _the sepulchre, bringing sweet spices to embalm the body_, 1-4. _They see an angel who announces the resurrection of our Lord_, 5-8. _Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, who goes and tells the_ _disciples_, 9-11. _He... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Mark 16:2. _VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING,_] This was the time they left their own houses, and by the rising of the sun they got to the tomb. As the preceding day was the Sabbath, they could not, consistently with the observances of that day, approach the tomb. _See the concluding notes at the end... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Mark 16:4. _FOR IT WAS VERY GREAT_] This clause should be read immediately after the _third_ verse, according to D, _three_ copies of the _Itala, Syriac, Hier_., and _Eusebius_. "Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? for it was very great. And when they looked, they... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Mark 16:6. _JESUS OF NAZARETH_] The Jews had given this name to Christ by way of _reproach_, Matthew 2:23; but as it was under this name that he was crucified, John 19:19, the angel here, and the apostles after, have given him the same name, Acts 4:10, c. _Names_ which the world, in derision,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Mark 16:7. _TELL HIS DISCIPLES AND PETER_] Why is not Peter included among the disciples? For this plain reason,-he had forfeited his _discipleship_, and all right to the honour and privileges of an _apostle_, by _denying_ his Lord and Master. However, he is now a _penitent_: - tell him that J... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Mark 16:9. _NOW WHEN_ JESUS _WAS RISEN_, C.] This, to the conclusion of the Gospel, is wanting in the famous _Codex_ _Vaticanus_, and has anciently been wanting in many others. See _Wetstein_ and _Griesbach_. In the margin of the later _Syriac_ version, there is a remarkable addition after thi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Mark 16:10. _THEM THAT HAD BEEN WITH HIM_] Not only the _eleven_ disciples, but several others who had been the occasional companions of Christ and the apostles. _MOURNED AND WEPT._] Because they had lost their Lord and Master, and had basely abandoned him in his extremity.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Mark 16:12. _HE APPEARED - UNTO TWO OF THEM_] These were the two who were going to _Emmaus_. The whole account is given by Luke, Luke 24:13, where see the notes. Dr. Lightfoot's criticism upon this passage is worthy of notice. "That, in the verses immediately going before, the discourse is... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Mark 16:14. _AND UPBRAIDED THEM WITH THEIR UNBELIEF_] Never were there a people so difficult to be persuaded of the truth of spiritual things as the disciples. It may be justly asserted, that people of so skeptical a turn of mind would never credit any thing till they had the fullest evidence... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Mark 16:15. _GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD_] Matthew 28:19. _AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE._] _Proclaim the glad_ _tidings _- of Christ crucified; and raised from the dead - _to all the_ _creation_, πασῃ τῃ κτισει - to the _Gentile_ worid; for in this sense בריות _berioth_, is often un... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Mark 16:16. _HE THAT BELIEVETH_] He that credits this Gospel as a revelation from God: _and is baptized _- takes upon him the _profession_ of it, obliging himself to walk _according_ to its _precepts: he_ _shall be saved_-redeemed from sin here, and brought at last to the enjoyment of my etern... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 17. _THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW_] Or rather, _accompany_; this is the proper import of the original word παρακολουθησει, from παρα _with_, and ακολουθεω, _I follow_. _THEM THAT BELIEVE_] _The believers_, as we express it; i.e. the _apostles_, and all those who in those _primitive_ times were en... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 18. _TAKE UP SERPENTS_] Several MSS. add εν ταις χερσιν, _in their hands _- shall be enabled to give, when such a proof may be serviceable to the cause of truth, this evidence of their being continually under the _power_ and _protection_ of God, and that _all_ _nature_ is subject to him. This... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 19. _AFTER THE LORD HAD SPOKEN_] These things, and conversed with them for _forty days, he was taken up into heaven_, there to appear in the presence of God for us.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Mark 16:20. _THE LORD WORKING WITH THEM_] This _co-operation_ was twofold, _internal_ and _external_. _Internal_, illuminating their minds, convincing them of the truth, and establishing them in it. _External_, conveying their word to the souls that heard it, by the demonstration of the Holy G... [ Continue Reading ]