THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT THE EMPTY TOMB (16:1–8)

Jesus Christ was “delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification”. A dead Saviour cannot save anybody. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is as much a part of the Gospel message as His sacrificial death on the cross.

The Resurrection proves that Jesus Christ is what He claimed to be, the very Son of God. He had told His disciples that He would be raised from the dead, but they had not grasped the meaning of this truth (Mark 9:9–10, 31; 10:34). Even the women who came early to the tomb did not expect to see Him alive. In fact, they had purchased spices to complete the anointing that Joseph and Nicodemus had so hastily begun.

I. The women’s arrival at the tomb (16:1–5)

1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.

A. The three women went to the tomb to anoint his body for burial.

The Sabbath was over around 6:00 P.M. Saturday evening. It was still dark when Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome started out for the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body. Even though they were adamant followers of Christ, they did not expect to see him alive; hence their desire to anoint his body.

This anointing was not for the purpose of embalming the body, since this was not a practice of the Jews. It was more an act of love and devotion. Anointing with spices was necessary to reduce the smell of a decomposing body in such a hot climate as Palestine’s.

B. When they arrived they found that the stone had already been rolled away.

The question on their mind was, Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb? Upon arriving at the tomb, the women were greeted with a surprise: The stone had been moved back. Mark does not tell us who moved the stone. Yet, we do know that it had to be a supernatural act to remove such a large stone. The women entered the tomb and were greeted a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The white clothes indicated the dazzling character of his glory.

The angel was witness of the resurrection of Christ and the behind-the-scenes work Jesus was doing during those three days in the tomb. Even if we do not see God at work, this does not mean he is not working. God is often working on our behalf in ways we cannot see or fathom. The women were alarmed. This was a total surprise to them. It is not every day that a person has a conversation with an angel about someone rising from the dead. This truly would be a frightening experience.

II. The angel’s announcement (16:6–7)

6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”

A. The angel attempted to calm the women’s fears.

The angel knew they were looking for Jesus the Nazarene. He was letting them know that they had not come to the wrong grave by accident. In fact, the one they were seeking—He has risen! He is not here. The angel then invited them to see that the tomb was empty.

The angel’s message clearly identified the Risen One as the Crucified One, both referring to the same historical Person, and it revealed the meaning of the empty tomb. The certainty of the Resurrection rests on the angel’s message from God which people then and now are called on to believe. The historical fact of the empty tomb confirms it.

B. The women were given a task.

They were to go and tell Jesus’ disciples that they would be reunited with Him in Galilee. The words and Peter, unique to Mark, are significant since much of Mark’s material likely came from Peter. He was singled out not because of his preeminence among the disciples but because he was forgiven and still included in the Eleven despite his triple denial.

This shows the great concern Jesus had for his disciples—especially Peter, who had denied him. These men needed reassurance and encouragement during these dark times, especially Peter. Peter needed to know he had been forgiven and restored.

III. The women’s response to the news of Jesus’ resurrection (16:8)

8 So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

A. The women “trembled and were amazed”.

Wouldn’t you? They needed time to process this experience and collect their thoughts, so they said nothing. Also, they were afraid.

Who would believe them? Jewish law, which was very male dominated, discounted the witness of women. Yet, good news cannot be contained. After they had composed themselves, they did a lot of talking.

B. The women were not prepared to see what they saw that day.

Everything about the scene caught them off guard and left them numb, but clearly, it took place.

The Gospel’s record of the women’s experience shows that they eventually talked, for where else would the testimony have come from?

The miracles in this Gospel come as both gift and crisis. They point to the God who offers us new life, and they challenge the deepest values and structures of our existence. The resurrection of Jesus is the greatest gift and the profoundest challenge of all. Mark does not attempt to persuade us of its truth or to defend it against its critics. The good news of the resurrection is an invitation to follow Jesus and a promise that those who follow him will see him.