Mark 16:1-8
They Said Nothing to Anyone
Read the passage
1When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could go and anoint the body of Jesus.
2Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they went to the tomb.
3They were asking one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance of the tomb?”
4But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, even though it was extremely large.
5When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
6But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here! See the place where they put Him.
7But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you.’”
8So the women left the tomb and ran away, trembling and bewildered. And in their fear they did not say a word to anyone.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
The women buy spices after the Sabbath to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day of the week, they go to the tomb, wondering who will move the stone. They have a task of loving care in mind. When they arrive, the extremely large stone has already been rolled away.
Inside sits a young man dressed in white. They are alarmed, but his message names the One they seek and announces what has happened: Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified, has risen. He is not there. They can see the place where He was laid.
The crucified Jesus and the risen Jesus are the same person. His burial was real, and now His grave is empty. Death has not held the One who promised to rise.
The women receive a message for the disciples and Peter. Jesus is going ahead of them into Galilee, where they will see Him just as He said. Before His arrest, He had promised that meeting even while warning that they would fall away. Their failure has not made Him break His word. Peter is specifically included after denying Him.
The women leave trembling and bewildered, saying nothing to anyone in their fear. The passage does not end with a confident speech from them. It does, however, contain the announcement that changes everything: Jesus has risen.
Their fear does not determine whether the news is true. The Lord's promise is being fulfilled. We are invited to trust Him and receive the hope His resurrection brings, even when it takes time for our hearts to grasp it.
How We Know
The BSB footnote at Mark 16:8 explains that some early manuscripts end here, while other copies preserve different endings. This is why many Bibles note a textual question about verses 9–20. The question concerns the ending of the account; the announcement of Jesus' resurrection already stands in verse 6.
- Berean Standard Bible, footnote at Mark 16:8.
Questions
1 What are the women preparing to do when they go to the tomb?
AnswerThey bring spices to anoint Jesus' body and wonder who will move the stone. Their practical concern belongs to caring for the One they saw buried.
2 What does the young man announce about Jesus?
AnswerJesus the Nazarene, who was crucified, has risen and is not there. The empty place is joined to a message explaining that His promised resurrection has happened.
3 Why is the message about Galilee a reason for hope?
AnswerJesus had promised to go ahead of His disciples there after rising. The message confirms His faithfulness, and it specifically includes Peter despite his denial.
4 Does the women's fear cancel the good news?
AnswerNo. Their trembling shows how overwhelming the encounter is, but the truth of Jesus' resurrection does not depend on how quickly they respond with confidence.
What This Means for Us
When fear or regret makes Christ's promises hard to receive, return to what He has actually said. The message from the tomb includes disciples who fled and Peter who denied Him. Failure gives us reason to repent, but it does not make the risen Savior unable to call us back.
Read the announcement of His resurrection aloud once more. Thank Him for conquering death, and consider someone who could be encouraged by that hope. Share the good news plainly, without feeling that you must manufacture a dramatic response.
Prayer
Risen Lord Jesus, thank You that death did not hold You and that Your promise to the disciples stood. Help us receive Your mercy, turn back from our failures and share the hope of Your resurrection with others. Amen.