Mark 16:9-15
Chapter 16
9
He Appears to Mary Magdalene
[[After Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he first appeared to Mary of Magdala, from whom he had cast out seven demons.10
She then went and told his followers, who were mourning and crying.
11
But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe it.
12
He Appears to Two Disciples
After this, he appeared in another form to two of them while they were walking into the country.
13
They returned and told the others, but they did not believe them either.
14
He Appears to the Eleven
Later, Jesus appeared to the Eleven while they were at table. He rebuked them for their disbelief and hardness of heart in refusing to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
15
Mission of the Disciples
Then he told them:
“Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all creation.
Commentaries
He Appears to Mary Magdalene – He Appears to Two Disciples – He Appears to the Eleven – Mission of the Disciples – Ascension of Jesus.
It also covers the disciples’ mission and Jesus’ ascension. Most biblical scholars consider these passages as later additions. They cite several reasons: the vocabulary and style differ from the rest; they are inconsistent with the previous passage (16:1-8), as they change aspects like the subject and the number of women. The account combines texts from other Gospels: the appearance to Mary Magdalene (Jn 20:11-18), the Emmaus disciples (Lk 24:13-35), the meal and mission (Lk 24:36-49; Jn 20:19-23; Mt 28:18-20), and the ascension (Lk 24:50-53). The common theme is the disciples’ disbelief; however, Jesus continues to rely on them for the mission and sends them to proclaim the Good News to all humanity.