Setting

If Jesus’ burial had been the end of the story, then His work would have amounted to nothing. However, Jesus Christ rose from the dead, just as He had predicted! His resurrection marks the beginning of a life-transforming experience, for the disciples then and for us now. In the epilogue, Jesus appeared to the disciples and charged them to continue His ministry. Today, our work is not over until Jesus comes again.

Key Verse

(16:15-16)

Did You Know...?

1. Spices (16:1): Aromatic oils were poured over a dead body to counteract the odors of decay. The anointing was a symbolic expression of loving devotion. ^[ref]

2. “Who will roll away the stone?” (16:3): After a large stone was slipped into the groove at the entrance of the tomb, it was very difficult to remove (cf. Lesson 24, Did You Know 13). ^[ref]

3. “See the place where they laid Him” (16:6): The women and the young man were in the tomb’s outer room. At the back was a low rectangular opening that led to the burial chamber. ^[ref]

4. “Right hand of God” (16:19): A symbol of God’s righteousness and strength (cf. Ps 48:10; Isa 41:10).

Outline

• The Empty Tomb
  (16:1-8)
• Women go to anoint Jesus’ body
  (16:1-3)
• Young man in the tomb tells the woman that Jesus had risen
  (16:4-6)
• Woman commanded to tell the disciples
  (16:7-8)
• Epilogue
  (16:9-20)
• Disciples do not believe that Jesus is alive
  (16:9-13)
• Jesus appears to the eleven disciples
  (16:14)
• Jesus commands the disciples to preach the good news
  (16:15-18)
• Jesus ascends to heaven
  (16:19)
• Disciples preach everywhere
  (16:20)

Keywords/Phrases

alive, Anoint, baptized, Believe, condemned, crucified, heaven, Jesus of Nazareth, preach, right hand of God, risen, saved, signs

General Analysis

• 1.

  Matthew 28, Luke 24, John 20-21, and Acts 1:1-11 each presents a different facet of the events after Christ’s resurrection. Together with Mk 16, they form a vivid picture. Take the time to read those passages and answer the questions in the corresponding Bible Study Guides.         Show Answer (The answer is empty) Hide Answer

• 2.

  To whom did Jesus appear after His resurrection? Why is it important to list the witnesses?         Show Answer Mary Magdalene (9; Jn 20:16), two of the disciples (12; Lk 24:15, 18), the apostles as a group (Jn 20:19-20), Thomas (Jn 20:26-27), Peter, Nathanael, James, John (Jn 21:1-7), about 500 believers, Paul (1Cor 15:5-8) The large number of witnesses is more proof of the certainty of Jesus’ resurrection. It also explains why the believers were willing to give up everything, even their own lives, to preach the gospel. Hide Answer

• 3.

  Why is the certainty of Jesus’ resurrection so crucial to our faith? (cf. 1Cor 15:14-28).         Show Answer If Jesus’ resurrection never happened, then the Christian faith would collapse. If Jesus were dead, then He would be no better than other religious leaders. Worse, if Jesus had not risen from the dead, then He had lied about Himself (Mk 9:31, 10:34); there would be no reason to believe any of His words. If Jesus did not overcome death, then Christians are putting their hopes in a lie (1Cor 15:14, 19). There would be no proof that Jesus is the Son of God, that our sins are forgiven (1Cor 15:17-18), or that Jesus will come again to take us to heaven. The fact of Jesus’ resurrection assures us a living hope of inheriting the heavenly kingdom (1Pet 1:3-5; Jn 11:25-26). His resurrection gives power to wash away our sins through water baptism (1Pet 3:21). Because He is alive, we can live a new life without sins (Rom 6:6-11; Eph 2:5-6). Because Jesus has risen, we are no longer condemned (Rom 8:34). In the last days, those who belong to Christ will also be resurrected into heaven (1Cor 15:20, 23, 51-54). Hide Answer

• 4.

  What evidences convince you that Jesus is alive?         Show Answer The Holy Spirit (Jn 16:7) lives in us. When we pray in His name, He answers our prayers. When we preach in His name, the words have lifetransforming power. We can cast out demons and heal in His name. He shows Himself in visions and dreams. He reveals His wisdom when we study the Bible. Hide Answer

• 5.

  Is it okay to celebrate Christ’s resurrection on Easter? Why or why not?         Show Answer It is inappropriate to celebrate Easter because: While Jesus commands us to remember His suffering and death through the Holy Communion (Mt 26:26-28; cf. Lesson 22, Question 9b), He did not make similar commands regarding His resurrection. Because Jesus did not say so, it is not necessary to create a special occasion to celebrate His resurrection. Otherwise, we’d be honoring human traditions above God’s commands (cf. Lesson 12, Question 5). Like Christmas, Easter has its origins in pagan rituals. Often, the pagan symbols (eggs, bunny) overshadow the meaning of Christ’s resurrection. Therefore, it is inappropriate to connect this day to our Lord Jesus Christ. Instead, we should honor the resurrection of Christ by submitting to His Holy Spirit (Rom 6:5-13). Hide Answer

Segment Analysis

• 16:1-8

  1.

  After Jesus died, what was on the mind of the women and the disciples?         Show Answer In spite of Jesus’ prophecy of His resurrection (cf. Mk 9:31, 10:34), they thought Jesus was dead for good. They had lost their hope in Jesus to save them (cf. Lk 24:21). The women went to the tomb to perform the last rites for Jesus (anointing His body). The disciples were mourning and weeping (10). Some even went back to their previous lives (cf. Jn 21:3). Hide Answer

• 2a.

  What do the women’s actions tell you about their devotion to Jesus?         Show Answer They went as soon as they could (just after sunrise after the Sabbath [2]). They were not put off by the stench of the body. They went to Jesus’ tomb and were not afraid to reveal their relation to Jesus (unlike the disciples, who were in hiding [Jn 20:19]). Hide Answer

• 2b.	How do you show your devotion to the Lord Jesus?         Show Answer (The answer is empty) Hide Answer

• 3.

  In verse 6, how did the young man describe Jesus? What does his words tell us about Jesus’ resurrection?         Show Answer “Jesus of Nazareth”; “crucified”; “risen”; “not here” These words show us how Jesus’ resurrection has given new life and new meaning. Nazareth was an insignificant town, and “Jesus the Nazarene” normally would be considered a slur (cf. Jn 1:46, 19:19). However, because He has risen, today “Jesus of Nazareth” is a name of power and glory (cf. Acts 2:22, 3:6, 4:10, 10:38). Similarly, crucifixion was a symbol of disgrace. But because Jesus is no longer in the tomb, we can rejoice over our victory over crucifixion and death (cf. Heb 12:2; 1Cor 15:55-57). Hide Answer

• 4.

  Why did the young man specifically mention Peter (7)?         Show Answer In spite of Peter’s past failures (cf. Mk 8:32-33, 9:5-6, 14:31; Jn 13:6-9, 18:10), the news of Jesus’ resurrection was directed specifically at him because he was given the task of strengthening the other disciples and sacrificing for the church (cf. Lk 22:31-32; Jn 21:18-19). Hide Answer

• 5.

  Why didn’t the women say anything to anyone? (cf. Jn 20 1-2, 11- 18).         Show Answer They were bewildered and afraid (8). Perhaps they didn’t take the young man’s words literally. In spite of what the young man had said about Jesus having risen from the dead, Mary Magdalene told Peter and John, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him” (Jn 20:2). It wasn’t until after Jesus had appeared to her that she told the disciples what really happened (cf. Mk 16:9; Jn 20:11-18). Hide Answer

• 16:9-20

  6.	Why did Jesus rebuke the eleven disciples (14)?         Show Answer They heard many testimonies, but still did not believe that Jesus had risen (cf. Mk 16:11, 13, 14; Lk 24:37-38). Jesus wants us to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2Cor 5:7). Hide Answer

• 7a.

  What did Jesus command the disciples to do?         Show Answer preach the good news to the world (cf. Mk 16:15; Rom 10:14-15). Jesus’ command is similar to the young man’s command to the women (7). In both, they were told to preach what they have seen and heard (cf. Acts 2:33, 4:20, 22:15; 1Jn 1:1-3). Hide Answer

• 7b.	How does Jesus confirm what we preach (17-18)?         Show Answer drive out demons, speak in new tongues, not be harmed if they pick up snakes and drink poison, heal the sick Hide Answer

• 7c.	How do you accomplish Jesus’ commission to preach?         Show Answer Our job is to tell others what we have seen and heard. We testify the power of Jesus’ forgiveness, and what He has done for us. At the same time, we must pray to God to work with us and to confirm our words (20). Hide Answer

• 8.	What must we do to be saved?         Show Answer Believe in the Lord Jesus, repent, and be baptized (cf. Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38). We must also live by the Holy Spirit and not fall back to our sinful nature (Gal 5:16). Hide Answer

• 9a.

  What does it mean that Jesus sat down at the right hand of God?         Show Answer “At the right hand of God” is an expression that means having the power and authority of God (see Did You Know 4). The words “sat down” also symbolizes the honor that Jesus received (Whereas angels stand in God’s presence [Lk 1:19; Rev 8:2; Dan 7:10], the Jesus the Son of God sits down at God’s right hand). “Sat down at the right hand of God” further signifies the finished work of Jesus Christ (where the earthly priests stood to minister before God and offered sacrifices repeatedly, Christ offered Himself as sacrifice for sins once for all and sat down at the right hand of God [Heb 10:11-12]). Hide Answer

• 9b.	What is Jesus doing in heaven today?         Show Answer His Holy Spirit intercedes for us (Rom 8:26-27, 32; Heb 9:15); He is also preparing a place in heaven for us (Jn 14:2-3). Hide Answer