| Back to Home Page | Back to
Book Index |
Mark Chapter
Sixteen
Mark 16
The last chapter is divided into two parts-a fact that
has even given rise to questions as to the authenticity of verses 9-20. The
first part of the chapter, verses 1-8, relates the end of the history in
connection with the re-establishment of that which has always been before us in
this Gospel -the relationship of the Prophet of Israel, and of the kingdom with
the people (or at least with the remnant of the chosen people). The disciples,
and Peter, whom the Lord individually acknowledges in spite (yea, in grace,
because) of his denial of his Master, were to go and meet Him in Galilee, as He
said unto them. There the connection was re-established between Jesus in
resurrection and the poor of the flock, who waited for Him (they alone being
recognised as the people before God). The women say nothing to any others. The
testimony of Christ risen was committed only to His disciples, to these
despised Galileans. Fear was the means employed by the providence of God to
prevent the women speaking of it, as they would naturally have done.
Verses 9-20. This is another testimony. The disciples do not appear
here as an elect remnant, but in the unbelief natural to man. The message is
sent to the whole world. Mary Magdalene, formerly possessed by seven demons-the
absolute slave of that dreadful power-is employed to communicate the knowledge
of His resurrection to the companions of Jesus. Afterwards Jesus Himself
appears to them, and gives them their commission. He tells them to go into all the
world and preach the gospel to every creature. It is no longer specifically the
gospel of the kingdom. Whosoever throughout the world believed and joined
Christ by baptism should be saved: he who believed not should be condemned. It
was a question of salvation or condemnation-the believer saved, he who refused
the message condemned. Moreover, if any one was convinced of the truth but
refused to unite with the disciples confessing the Lord, his case would be so
much the worse. Therefore it is said, "he who believeth and is
baptised." Signs of power should accompany believers, and they should be
preserved from that of the enemy.
The first sign should be their dominion over evil
spirits, the second, the proof of that grace which went beyond the narrow
limits of Israel, addressing itself to all the world. They should speak divers
languages.
Besides this, with respect to the power of the enemy,
manifested in doing harm, the venom of serpents and poisons should have no
effect upon them, and diseases should yield to their authority.
In a word, it should be the overthrowal of the power of
the enemy over man, and the proclamation of grace unto all men.
Having thus given them their commission, Jesus ascends to heaven, and
sits at the right hand of God-the place from which thus power shall come forth
to bless, and from which He will return to put the poor of the flock in
possession of the kingdom. Meanwhile, the disciples occupy His place, extending
their sphere of service unto the ends of the earth; and the Lord confirms their
word by the signs that follow them.
── John Darby《Synopsis of Mark》
Mark 16
Chapter Contents
Christ's resurrection made known the women. (1-8) Christ
appears to Mary Magdalene and other disciples. (9-13) His commission to the
apostles. (14-18) Christ's ascension. (19,20)
Commentary on Mark 16:1-8
(Read Mark 16:1-8)
Nicodemus brought a large quantity of spices, but these
good women did not think that enough. The respect others show to Christ, should
not hinder us from showing our respect. And those who are carried by holy zeal,
to seek Christ diligently, will find the difficulties in their way speedily
vanish. When we put ourselves to trouble and expense, from love to Christ, we
shall be accepted, though our endeavours are not successful. The sight of the
angel might justly have encouraged them, but they were affrighted. Thus many
times that which should be matter of comfort to us, through our own mistake,
proves a terror to us. He was crucified, but he is glorified. He is risen, he
is not here, not dead, but alive again; hereafter you will see him, but you may
here see the place where he was laid. Thus seasonable comforts will be sent to
those that lament after the Lord Jesus. Peter is particularly named, Tell
Peter; it will be most welcome to him, for he is in sorrow for sin. A sight of
Christ will be very welcome to a true penitent, and a true penitent is very
welcome to a sight of Christ. The men ran with all the haste they could to the
disciples; but disquieting fears often hinder us from doing that service to
Christ and to the souls of men, which, if faith and the joy of faith were
strong, we might do.
Commentary on Mark 16:9-13
(Read Mark 16:9-13)
Better news cannot be brought to disciples in tears, than
to tell them of Christ's resurrection. And we should study to comfort disciples
that are mourners, by telling them whatever we have seen of Christ. It was a
wise providence that the proofs of Christ's resurrection were given gradually,
and admitted cautiously, that the assurance with which the apostles preached
this doctrine afterwards might the more satisfy. Yet how slowly do we admit the
consolations which the word of God holds forth! Therefore while Christ comforts
his people, he often sees it needful to rebuke and correct them for hardness of
heart in distrusting his promise, as well as in not obeying his holy precepts.
Commentary on Mark 16:14-18
(Read Mark 16:14-18)
The evidences of the truth of the gospel are so full,
that those who receive it not, may justly be upbraided with their unbelief. Our
blessed Lord renewed his choice of the eleven as his apostles, and commissioned
them to go into all the world, to preach his gospel to every creature. Only he
that is a true Christian shall be saved through Christ. Simon Magus professed
to believe, and was baptized, yet he was declared to be in the bonds of
iniquity: see his history in Acts 8:13-25. Doubtless this is a solemn
declaration of that true faith which receives Christ in all his characters and
offices, and for all the purposes of salvation, and which produces its right
effect on the heart and life; not a mere assent, which is a dead faith, and
cannot profit. The commission of Christ's ministers extends to every creature
throughout the world, and the declarations of the gospel contain not only
truths, encouragements, and precepts, but also most awful warnings. Observe
what power the apostles should be endued with, for confirming the doctrine they
were to preach. These were miracles to confirm the truth of the gospel, and
means of spreading the gospel among nations that had not heard it.
Commentary on Mark 16:19,20
(Read Mark 16:19,20)
After the Lord had spoken he went up into heaven. Sitting
is a posture of rest, he had finished his work; and a posture of rule, he took
possession of his kingdom. He sat at the right hand of God, which denotes his
sovereign dignity and universal power. Whatever God does concerning us, gives
to us, or accepts from us, it is by his Son. Now he is glorified with the glory
he had before the world. The apostles went forth, and preached every where, far
and near. Though the doctrine they preached was spiritual and heavenly, and
directly contrary to the spirit and temper of the world; though it met with
much opposition, and was wholly destitute of all worldly supports and
advantages; yet in a few years the sound went forth unto the ends of the earth.
Christ's ministers do not now need to work miracles to prove their message; the
Scriptures are proved to be of Divine origin, and this renders those without
excuse who reject or neglect them. The effects of the gospel, when faithfully
preached, and truly believed, in changing the tempers and characters of
mankind, form a constant proof, a miraculous proof, that the gospel is the
power of God unto salvation, of all who believe.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Mark》
Mark 16
Verse 2
[2] And
very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the
sepulchre at the rising of the sun.
At the rising of the sun — They set out while it was yet dark, and came within sight of the
sepulchre, for the first time, just as it grew light enough to discern that the
stone was rolled away, Matthew 28:1; Luke 24:1; John 20:1. But by the time Mary had called Peter
and John, and they had viewed the sepulchre, the sun was rising.
Verse 3
[3] And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the
door of the sepulchre?
Who shall roll us away the stone — This seems to have been the only difficulty they apprehended. So they
knew nothing of Pilate's having sealed the stone, and placed a guard of
soldiers there.
Verse 7
[7] But
go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into
Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.
And Peter —
Though he so oft denied his Lord. What amazing goodness was this!
Verse 9
[9] 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.
Verse 10
[10] And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and
wept.
Verse 12
[12]
After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and
went into the country.
Verse 13
[13] And
they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.
Neither believed they them — They were moved a little by the testimony of these, added to that of St.
Peter, Luke 24:34; but they did not yet fully believe
it.
Verse 14
[14]
Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them
with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which
had seen him after he was risen.
Verse 15
[15] And
he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature.
Go ye into all the world, and preach the
Gospel to every creature — Our Lord speaks without any limitation or
restriction. If therefore every creature in every age hath not heard it, either
those who should have preached, or those who should have heard it, or both,
made void the counsel of God herein. Matthew 28:19.
Verse 16
[16] He
that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall
be damned.
And is baptized — In
token thereof. Every one that believed was baptized.
But he that believeth not — Whether baptized or unbaptized, shall perish everlastingly.
Verse 17
[17] And
these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out
devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
And these signs shall follow them that
believe — An eminent author sub-joins, "That
believe with that very faith mentioned in the preceding verse." (Though it
is certain that a man may work miracles, and not have saving faith, Matthew 7:22,23.) "It was not one faith by
which St. Paul was saved, another by which he wrought miracles. Even at this
day in every believer faith has a latent miraculous power; (every effect of
prayer being really miraculous;) although in many, both because of their own
littleness of faith, and because the world is unworthy, that power is not
exerted. Miracles, in the beginning, were helps to faith; now also they are the
object of it. At Leonberg, in the memory of our fathers, a cripple that could
hardly move with crutches, while the dean was preaching on this very text, was
in a moment made whole." Shall follow - The word and faith must go before.
In my name — By
my authority committed to them. Raising the dead is not mentioned. So our Lord
performed even more than he promised.
Verse 18
[18] They
shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt
them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
If they drink any deadly thing — But not by their own choice. God never calls us to try any such
experiments.
Verse 19
[19] So
then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and
sat on the right hand of God.
The Lord —
How seasonable is he called by this title! After he had spoken to them - For
forty days. Luke 24:50.
Verse 20
[20] And
they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and
confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
They preached every where — At the time St. Mark wrote, the apostles had already gone into all the
known world, Romans 10:18; and each of them was there known
where he preached: the name of Christ only was known throughout the world.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Mark》
Chapter 16. Risen and Ascended
Lay Hands on
the Sick
They Will Recover
I. Jesus Risen
from the Dead
II. Appearance
After Resurrection
III. Preach the
Good News to All Nations
── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》
"FIVE VIEWS OF MARK 16:16" How Some People Just Will Not Accept The Obvious
INTRODUCTION
1. There is a statement of Jesus that is so plain, and yet so controversial... a. That you rarely hear it referred to by denominational preachers, whether it be in their churches or on TV or the radio b. That when they do, they feel it necessary to give an explanation that goes against the clear statement of Jesus 2. I have reference to the words of Jesus as found in Mark 16:16... "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who doesnot believe will be condemned."
3. To illustrate what I said earlier, let's take a look at four different views of this verse as taught by men, and then contrast those views with the one plainly stated by Jesus and supported by His apostles in their teaching and preaching... [The first view is one held by those who do not profess to beChristians, but for the purpose of our lesson should be considered. In essence, they would say...] I. HE WHO BELIEVES AND IS BAPTIZED "WILL NOT" BE SAVED
A. TWO SEPARATE GROUPS HOLD THIS VIEW... 1. ATHEISTS - who do not believe in God, heaven or hell, or salvation of any kind 2. JEWS, MUSLIMS, HINDUS, etc. a. Who believe in God (or gods) b. But who do not believe that salvation is to be found in Jesus c. And that to believe and/or be baptized is contrary to the will of God B. BUT THOSE WHO ACCEPT JESUS AND THE AUTHORITY OF HIS APOSTLESREJECT SUCH A VIEW...
1. There IS a God who offers salvation (contrary to the views of atheists) - 1 Ti 2:3-4 2. Salvation DOES come only through Jesus (contrary to the Jews, Muslims, Hindus, etc.) - 1 Ti 2:5-6; Jn 14:6 [Though I doubt any present actually hold to this view, there are somewho do, and it only begins to illustrate how some are willing to denythe plain statement of Jesus. Consider a second view...] II. HE WHO "DOES NOT BELIEVE" AND "IS NOT BAPTIZED" WILL BE SAVED
A. THIS VIEW IS HELD BY "UNIVERSALISTS"... 1. Who believe that God will save everyone eventually 2. To support their view, they will isolate some verses like 1 Ti2:6
B. BUT THOSE WHO KNOW THE TEACHINGS OF CHRIST AND PAUL LIKEWISEREJECT SUCH A VIEW...
1. Jesus Himself told that there would be few who would be saved - Mt 7:13-14 2. Paul warned of those who would not be saved, but would face the wrath of God - Ep 5:5-6 [Most "Bible-believing, professing Christians" would never treat Mark16:16 the way the first two views do. But as we consider two more
views, we may start hitting closer to "home". But please understand...that we do so, desiring to "speak the truth inlove"; and we pray that your love for the truth is such that you arewilling to serious consider what follows (cf. Ac 17:11). The third "view" then...] III. HE WHO "DOES NOT BELIEVE" AND "IS BAPTIZED" WILL BE SAVED
A. THIS VIEW IS HELD BY MOST WHO PRACTICE "INFANT BAPTISM"... 1. By "baptizing" (actually sprinkling, not immersing) infants incapable of faith... a. They (esp. Catholics) indicate that faith is not essential to salvation b. Some (esp. Lutherans) try to get around this by saying that God imparts saving faith to the infant so baptism can still save 2. By sprinkling or pouring instead of immersion, they also indicate Jesus did not mean what He said (the reason "BAPTIZED" above is in quotes) B. BUT SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE, WE MUST POINT OUT... 1. That faith is a necessary prerequisite... a. For baptism - Ac 8:35-37 b. For salvation - Ro 10:9-10 2. That sprinkling or pouring is NOT Bible baptism... a. The Greek word used in the Bible is "baptizo", and it means "to immerse" b. This is why baptism is described in the Bible as a "burial" - cf. Ro 6:3-4; Co 2:12 c. Sprinkling or pouring was substituted in the place of baptism (immersion) hundreds of years after Christ and His apostles d. By keeping the "tradition of men" by sprinkling or pouring, we fail to keep the "command of God" concerning baptism - cf. Jesus' condemnation of displacing God's commands by traditions of men, Mt 15:3-9 3. That baptizing infants is without scriptural precedent a. There are no commands or examples of infant baptism b. Since the prerequisites of faith (Mk 16:16; Ac 8:37) and repentance (Ac 2:38; 17:30) are beyond the infant's capability, they are not suitable candidates for baptism [I am confident that those who hold to the view of sprinkling infantsare honest and sincere. But despite their honest sincerity, they arejust as guilty of twisting the words of Jesus as are the atheists,unbelieving Jews (and Muslims, Hindus, etc.) and the universalists. But there is another view sincerely held by many, and that is...] IV. HE WHO BELIEVES AND "IS NOT BAPTIZED" WILL BE SAVED
A. THIS VIEW IS HELD BY THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN SALVATION BY FAITH"ONLY"...
1. That one is saved BEFORE baptism 2. That baptism is not essential to salvation -- This view is held for all practical purposes by most members of various denominations B. BUT JESUS AND HIS APOSTLES CLEARLY TAUGHT DIFFERENTLY... 1. That faith "alone" cannot save a. As declared by Jesus - cf. Mt 7:21; Lk 6:46 b. As taught by His apostles - cf. Ro 6:17-18; He 5:9;Ja 2:14,17,20,24,26; 1 Pe 1:22; 1 Jn 2:3-5
2. That baptism IS essential to salvation a. According to Jesus - Jn 3:5; Mk 16:16; Mt 28:18-20 b. According to His apostles - Ac 2:38; 22:16; Ga 3:26-27; Co2:12-13; Ti 3:5; 1 Pe 3:21
[Again, I believe that those who hold this view (including personalrelatives) are sincere, and are not knowingly twisting the words ofJesus. Yet, I cannot help but think of such people as Paul thought ofhis brethren in the flesh (cf. Ro 10:1-3). This leads us to the fifth and final view, one that I believe we arecompelled to accept...] V. HE WHO BELIEVES AND IS BAPTIZED WILL BE SAVED
A. THIS VIEW TAKES THE WORDS OF JESUS AT FACE VALUE... 1. No explanations are necessary 2. Jesus says what He means, and means what He says B. WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN PREVIOUSLY THAT THE BIBLE TEACHES... 1. That one must "believe" - cf. Ac 8:36-37 2. That one must be "baptized" to enjoy the forgiveness of sins - cf. Ac 2:38; 22:16 CONCLUSION
1. Which of the five views of Mark 16:16 do you hold to? a. He who believes and is baptized "will not" be saved? b. He who "does not believe" and "is not baptized" will be saved? c. He who "does not believe" and "is baptized" will be saved? d. He who believes and "is not baptized" will be saved? e. He who believes and is baptized will be saved? -- It should be clear that there is only view which is in harmony with Jesus' words, as there is only one which does not involve "tampering" with the clear statement of Jesus! 2. But perhaps more importantly, with which of these views is your life consistent? a. One may hold intellectually to the FIFTH view... 1) But act as though they believed the SECOND view 2) How? By never confessing faith in Christ and being baptized! b. One may hold intellectually to the FIFTH view... 1) But act as though they believed the THIRD view 2) How? For though they may have been "baptized", they are not living the life of faith required of one in Jesus! c. One may hold intellectually to the FIFTH view... 1) But act as though they believed the FOURTH view 2) How? For while believing in Jesus, they have never submitted to being baptized! Only those who have come to Jesus in faith and ACTED in harmony withHis teachings can have the assurance of salvation. The words of theBible are clear... "Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'" "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." - Ac 2:38; 22:16
－－《Executable
Outlines》