End of Mark

The last twelve verses of Mark (Mark 16:9-20)

• In some translations, these verses are removed or annotated to indicate that there is some doubt about their authenticity. The evidence in favor of their authenticity is overwhelming.
• In one survey of manuscripts, out of 620 manuscripts which contain Mark, only two do not contain these verses.
• “Church fathers” dating back to the 100s AD quote from these verses, indicating that they were commonly in manuscripts at that time.

The great commission

• Luke 24:45-49
• Acts 1:8
• John 20:19-23

Return to the last twelve verses

• Mark 16:9-11 – Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene.
• Mark 16:12-13 – Jesus appears to two disciples. Compare Luke 24:13-26.
• Mark 16:14-18 – The great commission.
  • Mark 16:17 – This is not saying that all who believe in Jesus will be able to work signs and miracles. It is saying that the signs would accompany those who were going out to preach (see Mark 16:20).
• Mark 16:19-20 – The great commission executed.
  • They started in Acts 2 just like Jesus commanded.
    • Study suggestion: Memorize all of Acts 2!
  • Peter explains the plan of salvation:
    • Acts 2:22-36 – They heard the word.
    • Acts 2:36 – They believed.
    • Acts 2:37 – Confess.
    • Acts 2:38-40 – Repent and be baptized.
  • The rest of Acts is a history of the apostles doing like they did here in Acts 2.
  • Compare: Matthew 28:19; Luke 24:47-49; John 20:21-23; Mark 16:15-16
  • Mark 16:20 – And they went everywhere doing this! We need to do the same thing!

The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ

• Some people say that Jesus had to die at the same time as the Passover. That, combined with a misunderstanding of John 18:28, causes them to put Jesus’ resurrection on the Sabbath (14th day of first month).
• The term “Passover” is used in three senses in the Bible:
  • Exodus 12:21; Numbers 28:16; Mark 14:12 – The lamb they sacrificed and the day they killed it are both called the Passover.
  • The Passover feast – Ezekiel 45:21; Luke 22:1

Accounting for days

• Leviticus 23:32
• Jews counted days from sundown to sundown.
• Numbers 33:3-4
• 1st month, 14th day
  • Mark 14:12-16; Luke 22:7-15; Matthew 26:17-21 – Passover lamb killed. They ate the lab before Jesus was crucified.
• 15th day
  • Mark 14:17-72; 15:1, 24-26 – Jesus was crucified about noon and taken down before Sabbath started at sunset.
• 16th day
  • Luke 23:12-16 – Sabbath
• 17th day
  • Mark 16:1-16; Luke 24:1-21 – Jesus resurrected on the first day of the week.
• What about John 18:28? They did not want to disqualify themselves from the rest of the Passover feast, which was a 7-day feast. See Numbers 28:16-25.
• What about Matthew 12:40 and Jesus being in the grave for three days and three nights? It is a different way of reckoning time. Part of day 1, all of day 2, and part of day 3 is counted as three days, or three days and three nights even though it was not a full 72 hours.