Mark 16 | Daily Bible Reading & Reflection

Mark 16 Devotional: Celebrate the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. Explore the empty tomb, the appearance of the risen Lord, and the Great Commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations.

Dear brothers and sisters, peace in Christ. We have reached the beautiful conclusion of our journey through this Gospel. Welcome to Mark Chapter 16. After the darkness of the Cross comes the light of the empty tomb. Today, we transition from mourning to dancing as we witness the victory of life over death. Let us rejoice together in the truth that changed the world forever.

Mark Chapter 16 Introduction:

The Victory of the Risen King

Mark 16 begins in the early morning shadows with a group of grieving women carrying burial spices, wondering who would roll away the heavy stone. What they found instead was a miracle: an empty tomb and a heavenly messenger. The story of Jesus does not end in a grave; it continues in power. As your Statement of Faith affirms, Jesus rose bodily from the dead on the third day and ascended to heaven, where He now intercedes for us.

What can we learn from this today? The resurrection is not just a historical event; it is the "Amen" to everything Jesus claimed to be. Because He lives, His promise of salvation is verified. Because He lives, death has lost its sting. In this chapter, we see Jesus appearing to His followers, restoring their hope, and giving them a global mission. We learn that we serve a living Savior who is not distant, but who "works with" His people as they go into all the world. This chapter asks us: Are we living as people of the Resurrection? Do we move through our day with the confidence that the stone has been rolled away and our King has conquered the grave?

Bible Verse

Jesus Has Risen

16 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, 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, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”

8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

[The earliest manuscripts and some other ancient witnesses do not have verses 9–20.]

9 When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.

12 Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. 13 These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.

14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

Prayer

The angel told the women, "He is risen; he is not here." Because He is alive and ascended to the right hand of the Father, we can come to Him now with boldness and joy.

Prayer Theme: "He Is Risen Indeed"

Dear Lord Jesus, We praise You as the Victor over sin and death! We believe with all our hearts that You rose bodily from the grave, proving once and for all that Your sacrifice was accepted and our debt is paid. Thank You for being our living High Priest who intercedes for us even now.

Lord, I ask that the power of the Resurrection would define my life today. Help me to leave behind the "grave clothes" of my old sins and anxieties, and walk in the newness of life that You have provided. May the joy of the empty tomb cast out every fear of the future.

We pray for those who are currently walking in the "Saturday" of their lives—those who feel buried by grief, hopelessness, or spiritual darkness. Let the news of Your Resurrection break through their despair. We lift up Your Church across the globe as we carry out the Great Commission. Empower us by Your Holy Spirit to proclaim the Good News to every creature, demonstrating Your love through our words and our service.

We look forward with hope to Your return in glory, when all things will be made new and we will dwell with You in Your eternal Kingdom forever. Until that day, keep us faithful and full of praise. Amen.

Daily Application Question

The risen Jesus calls His followers to go and share the gospel with all people. How are you responding to this calling in your daily life?

Frequently Asked Questions about Mark 16

Why were women the first witnesses to the Resurrection? In that culture, a woman's testimony was often not legally recognized. The fact that all four Gospels record women as the first witnesses is a powerful proof of the Bible's historical accuracy and God's desire to honor the humble.
What is the "Great Commission"? It is the command Jesus gave to His followers to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every person. It defines the central mission of the Church today.
What does it mean that Jesus "sat down at the right hand of God"? This signifies that His work of redemption is finished and that He has been highly exalted to the position of supreme authority and honor in heaven.

Thank you for completing the Gospel of Mark with us! It has been a privilege to study the life, death, and resurrection of our Savior alongside you. May the living Christ go before you and bless you in all that you do.

Navigate the Journey

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