He Is Risen

Most Christian scholars agree that Mark’s gospel ends at Mark 16:8, “And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.”

To understand what’s happening and the additional text beyond those verses in Mark, you have to understand that Mark is the first of the written gospels and it is Peter’s account. The Apostle Matthew then wrote his account and it is more fleshed out. The speculation, based on the evolution in copies of the Gospel of Mark is that later, Peter or John Mark added the additional material. Matthew serves as an extended sermon on Mark. Mark was the first written gospel, and Peter was trying to get his account into circulation for the masses, which is also why it does not begin with the birth of Christ but the start of His ministry.

With that in mind, consider how the Gospel of Mark ends. The women fled the tomb and “said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.”

Something must have happened. In fact, the circumstantial evidence for the resurrection of Jesus is enormous. There were eyewitnesses, the first of which were women and, therefore, not treated reliably. The birth of Christ, witnessed by shepherds, and his death, witnessed by women, are the two groups whose testimony would not hold up in court by virtue of who they were.

Something had to have happened.

Many men died claiming to be the Messiah, but we only worship one. Those who have had an encounter with the risen Lord know he lives. Therein lies the mystery and danger of Christ. Anyone who sincerely wants to know him can call to him. But some are too scared to try, and others too hostile to attempt it. But Christ will always answer.

The women fled in fear and said nothing. The empty tomb spoke volumes.

16 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Mk 16:1–8). (2016). Crossway Bibles.