Mark 16:9-20 - The Final Verses

This week, we’re diving into Mark 16:9-20, a passage that challenges us to wrestle with the text and its place in Scripture. These verses, though not in the earliest manuscripts, point to the risen Christ’s appearances, His final command to proclaim the Gospel, and His ascension to a position of authority. We’ll unpack the eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ resurrection, the urgency of sharing the good news, and the hope we have in Christ’s sovereign power. Join me as we explore what God has preserved for us in these words, test them against the whole of Scripture, and look to Jesus, our true hope!

Transcript

111 - Mark 16:9-20 - The Final Verses

Intro

• If you have your Bibles please open with me to Mark 16 and find verse 9
  • As you turn there I want to begin to remind you about the section of scripture that we are stepping into.
• As we talked about last week, it is important that we keep in mind that verses 9 through 20 do not exist in the earliest manuscripts of the Gospel of Mark.
  • Which means that the earliest manuscripts end at verse 8.
    • Most scholars agree that these additional verses were added on at some point afterwards…
      • Possibly as commentary, and then became a part of what was copied.
    • Though we do not know why it was added, there is something else vitally important that we must remember as we step into these verses.
  • Though I think they should be considered in a slightly different light than the rest of the book of Mark, they still should be considered as scripture nonetheless.
    • I want to remind you the reason we have this book and these verses in front of us.
    • It is solely because a Sovereign God saw fit to preserve, protect, and pass on these verses to us today.
  • The Word of God, from Genesis to Revelation is in our possession because we serve a God who saw fit to entrust it to us.
    • I would add that when we come to these verses that were not a part of the original writing…
      • We must remember that God saw fit to include these 11 verses after the fact, and for much of church history they were assumed to be a part of the original writing.
    • Though we know different now, because earlier manuscripts have been discovered, it does not mean they should be cast aside.
  • Therefore we should take these verses as they are found to see what God has for us in this text today.
• With that intro let’s read these verses, open in prayer, and begin our time in the Word today…

Mark 16:9-20

• Let’s begin today with an overview of these verses so that we have a good grip of what is before us…
  • First, if I were to divide these verses up I would cut them in four parts that point to four different events that followed the Resurrection.
    • All of these events are attested to in other Gospel as well as the book of Acts.
    • Which means that all four events are attested to elsewhere in the New Testament.
      • This is important to remember as we consider this text…
  • That is the second thing I want to point out as an overview of these verses is the struggle of verse 18…
    • Let’s read it again, just so we are clear…
      • Vs. 18
    • Now, the struggle with this verse is the first half of this verse, it is unusual language that is found only here at the end of Mark.
      • What is he referring to when he writes about picking up serpents and drinking deadly poison?
        • That is the question…
      • We could reference a story found in Acts 28 where Paul is miraculously protected from the bite of a viper…
        • Perhaps that situation serves as a reference to this verse.
        • However, we do not find anything anywhere in scripture that demonstrates believers drinking deadly poison and surviving.
      • Not to say that it did not happen but it is not referenced anywhere in the scriptures.
    • I also would like to be clear here at this point, in this verse what you do not find is a justification for doing these things…
      • Namely, handling a deadly snake, or drinking some sort of poison to prove anything.
      • That is because the doctrine of the church is not built upon one singular verse, instead it is built upon the entirety of the Word of God.
      • To that end we must be like the Jews in Bera, who received the Gospel after testing it against the scriptures.
        • Acts 17:11-12a - “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 12 Many of them therefore believed…”
      • We must build what we believe not just off of one verse, or one text, but we must see how it fits in with the overall context of the rest of the Bible.
    • In a way this is a daunting task, but it is one that is necessary.
      • Otherwise we might end up as a people that is blown and tossed by every wind of doctrine.
      • The fact is, anyone can make the Bible say whatever they want it to say.
      • Justifying all sorts of wrongdoing and leading people astray.
    • This is not speculation but has happened throughout the years, taking single verses and building massive followings and twisting the scriptures to make them mean something that they never meant. 
    • We must make an effort to test the text against the rest of scripture and build our beliefs off of that.
  • The final overview of this text is connected to verse 18 but broadens the look to include verse 17 as well.
    • The way I read these verses and the way I see them fitting in with the rest of the New Testament cannon is this way…
    • There was a time where the early church saw miraculous events occurring that validated the message of the Gospel…
      • People were healed…
      • People were raised from the dead…
      • Demons were cast out, people spoke in languages that they did not know…
      • And, yes, God miraculously protected His people from harm…
        • Peter was released from prison and led out by an angel…
        • Paul was protected from a shipwreck and from the bite of a viper.
    • However, we also see in scripture these miracles seem to slow and eventually cease…
      • Instead of Paul healing Epaphroditus we find him being thankful that he recovered…
      • We find Paul writing to Timothy telling him that he should no longer drink only water but to drink a little wine for his frequent stomach troubles…
    • As the Gospel took root and lives were changed and the message of the cross spread, what we find is these signs slowing.
  • Many will view this and draw a conclusion that with the penning of the New Testament that it is now enough…
    • Signs and wonders are no longer needed to testify to the validity of the Gospel.
    • God has given His Word and it is enough…
      • I have said it before, church, we have everything we need in the Word of God and the Spirit of God.
  • Yet, even in saying that I am sure there are some that would take what I am saying and misunderstand or misrepresent it…
  • I am not claiming that God cannot heal today, or that He does not heal today…
    • What I am pointing out though is that the canon has closed and testimony of the Word of God is the internal witness needed, not signs and wonders.
    • Certainly God works today, certainly He heals and delivers people…
      • Even in the Gospel itself, in its simplest form, takes a person who is dead in their sins and brings their spirit to life.
      • It is, in a sense, a resurrection, which is indeed a miracle.
    • Though we will certainly pray for people…
      • Even laying hands upon them even when given the opportunity, we are not commanding healing in the Name of Jesus or causing the lame to walk.
  • The fact is those who claim such a thing today are nothing but charlatans looking to deceive people for their own gain.  
    • Otherwise their healing ministries would not have shut down with the threat of COVID, as Bethel Church in Redding California did…
    • If there was something to this today what would keep these, with this supposed gift, from going to Saint Jude’s and healing those who are the most desperate for healing.
  • I know it seems as though we have stepped off on a tangent today but it is important that as we come to these verses we have a good grasp of how to correctly interpret them in view of the rest of scripture.
• Let us leave this behind and step into some other observations that we can from these verses…
  • Starting with the…

Eyewitness Testimony

• That is found, as we look across these verses…
  • Four different and unique events are referenced very quickly.
    • Let’s consider them together…
• As we do I would encourage you to write in your margin where else these stories are found. 
  • First, in verses 9 through 11 we find the first encounter with the Risen Lord on that first day of the week.
    • This account is recorded in the Gospel John, specifically John 20:11-18.
      • John clearly articulates that Mary Magdalene is, without a doubt, the first witness to the Bodily Resurrection of Jesus.
      • What an amazing thing for us to recognize today, that though our Lord could have shown Himself to anyone and everyone…
    • Out of grace He showed Himself first to Mary Magdalene, a woman who had already experienced much mercy from Him.  
  • Second, in verses 12 and 13 we find a unique encounter only documented in Luke’s Gospel specifically Luke 24:13-35.
    • Luke tells us of two unnamed disciples walking on the road to Emmaus…
      • Luke’s account is rather lengthy including even parts of their conversation.
    • Jesus concealed His identity at first and then revealed Himself and vanished from before them.  
      • My favorite verse from that story is…
        • Luke 24:27 - “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”
      • In other words He spent the walk pointing out how He was the fulfillment of the Old Testament and how it testified not only about His life and death but also His Resurrection.
    • Oh what a conversation that would have been, can you imagine?
  • The third event is essentially the Great Commission, it is Jesus telling His 11 apostles to take the Gospel to the nations.
    • The parallel verses would be found in Matthew 28:16-20
      • In Mark, the summary verse is verse 15, where Mark simply states that they are to proclaim the Gospel to the whole of Creation.
    • What a summary of the task that we were given, to preach this Gospel to all of creation. 
  • Then, finally, the fourth event is the ascension which is documented the clearest in Acts 1:6-11.
    • Where we see Jesus ascending to the Father and then His apostles seeming Him no more.
    • Though He left them with the promise that He would send the Holy Spirit and that they should be His Witnesses.
    • That indeed transpired in Acts 2. 
• These four events occurred over the course of 40 days, along with these events there are many documented accounts of Jesus interacting with His followers during those days.
  • Mark just gives us the high points…
    • He is seen at the tomb…
    • He is seen on the road…
    • He is seen with the apostles…
    • He is seen as He ascends…
  • What I want to remind you of today is how crucial this is to the Gospel itself, think about the writing of Paul in 1 Corinthians 15.
    • He writes a reminder of the Gospel he points out those that witnessed the Risen Lord, and it is quite a list…
      • 1 Corinthians 15:5b-8 - “...he appeared to Cephas[Peter], then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James[Jesus’ half brother], then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.”
    • This is crucial to the success of the Gospel…
      • Though we have to deal with the fact that there is no one alive today that saw the Risen Lord, that was not the case 2000 years ago.
        • Paul wrote as one who saw the Resurrected Christ…
        • Peter had a one on one conversation with Jesus after He Rose again…
        • More than 500 brothers saw Him at the same time, what a glorious thing.
      • When the Gospel was preached in the first century it was proclaimed by eye-witnesses.
    • Those who saw Jesus, knew of His death, had once cowered in fear, but then changed completely after He rose again.
  • It gave weight to their message and validated their claims that many men and women alike could testify to Jesus being alive.
• These verses were perhaps added for that purpose, so that this Gospel of Mark would clearly testify about those who witnessed the Risen Lord.
  • Of course that is speculation…
  • As we consider this point let us also be reminded that this Gospel that we have believed is reasonable and first proclaimed by eyewitnesses to this amazing miracle.
• Now, let’s turn our attention to the…

Final Command of Christ

• Look again at our verses and let’s read again verses 15 and 16…
  • Vs. 15-16
• Here we find Mark's rendition of the final command of our Lord.
  • They are to be proclaimers, preachers, those who would testify the Gospel to the whole of Creation.
    • Gospel means “good news” and used in this context means the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
  • This is what they are to share with all who will listen, and here Jesus reminds them what is at stake.
• There is a clear dividing line in verse 16, where we find two distinct groups…
  • One who believes the Gospel and the other who does not believe the Gospel.
    • Considering the first group, Jesus is clear, they will be saved…
      • You may wonder, what are they saved from?
    • To answer that we could look to the second group, we are told that they will be condemned.
  • This condemnation was spoken of by Christ very clearly back in Mark 9, He taught saying…
    • Mark 9:47-48 - “And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.”
      • We are reminded that this condemnation is an eternal dwelling…
        • A place for which those who enter will never leave…
        • A place for which there will never be any relief.
    • Do not buy into the idea of the day that the condemnation from God is somehow less than this, it is not.
      • The Bible is clear, this punishment is forever and without an exit.
  • Though you may consider that cruel or unfair, please realize that it is the most fair thing that could possibly be…
    • To consider the just condemnation of the unrepentant sinner is to recognize the justice of God.
      • More than just that, He is perfect and man has rebelled against this perfect Being.
      • It is a serious offense to stand in opposition to the Creator, yet in our sin we have done just that…
    • We, therefore, deserve condemnation…
      • Paul writes to the church in Corinth…
      • 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
        • I do not care who you are or even how old you are, you can find yourself in that list…
          • Whether it be straight up idolatry or sexual sins…
          • Theft, greed, or being drunk…
        • All of us have fallen short of perfection and if we stand on our own merit we will be condemned.
        • Once more, some will say that this is not fair, but again I say it is the most fair that there is…
          • A person being judged based on their actions, not that their actions are being weighted in a balance.
          • Instead the reality is that I have done wrong and on my own I am condemned.
        • That is fair, you know what is not fair, the Gospel…
          • The fact that Jesus bled and died for the worst of us.
            • So that any could come and place their faith in Him and be saved.
          • We do not want fairness, we want and need grace.
            • Christ died in your place for your salvation…
        • It is why Paul, when writing in 1 Corinthians 6 continues on after listing briefly some condemning sins…
          • He writes…
      • 1 Corinthians 6:11a -  “And such were some of you…”
        • Let that sink in for just a moment…
          • Paul writes to this messed up congregation who has done all sorts of unspeakable things.
        • He writes and lists condemning sins that they are certainly guilty of…
          • He tells them that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
      • Then, he goes on to tell them, “And such were some of you…”
        • Yet he does not stop there, but continues on…
      • 1 Corinthians 6:11b - “But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
    • This, church, is the Gospel that we are to proclaim…
  • There is not hope in this world, this week should have reminded us of this…
    • There is not hope in a political party…
    • There is not hope in a nation…
    • There is but hope in one place, and that is in the saving power of the Gospel, only because of the sacrificial death of the Son of God.
  • Therefore the mission of the church is to proclaim and to testify to the hope that is found in Christ.
• Now let us turn to our final point where we see in our final verses, Jesus ascending to the Father and in so doing demonstrating a…

Position of Authority and Power

• Let’s read those verses once more…
  • Vs. 19-20
• These final verses bring to mind the current position of our Lord…
  • He is seated at the hand of the Father in Glory, a position that puts His authority on display and clearly expresses His power.
  • This brings up the question, how important is this to the believer?
    • How important is it that we know that Jesus not only rose back to life…
    • That He not only showed Himself to eyewitnesses…
    • But that He then took His seat by the Father?
  • It is such an important truth that is perhaps expressed best during the suffering of the church.
• I’m going to ask you to turn with me to the book of Acts as we consider this authority and power our Lord possesses in His position…
  • Turn over to Acts 7.
    • As you turn there, let me share with you a bit of context…
      • Christ has ascended and the church has grown rapidly.
      • Thousands have come to faith in Christ and though they have experienced some persecution no blood has yet been spilled.
    • In Acts 6 we find the church establishing deacons and as seven men are chosen we are introduced to Stephen.
      • Now, every time Stephen is named in Acts we are told different things about him.
      • We are told that he was…
        • “...full of faith and of the Holy Spirit…”
        • “...full of grace and power…”
      • We learn that he was a wise man and even though some would argue with him none were able to withstand the wisdom with which he was speaking.
    • In Acts 7 Stephen is falsely accused and begins to share the Gospel through a retelling of the history of Israel.
  • At the end of this exchange he clearly and boldly pointed out that those who falsely accused him were, “stiff-necked people” and that were resisting the Holy Spirit.
    • This enraged the crowd and led to his untimely, brutal, and very sudden death, but in his death we find the importance of the Son of God sitting at the right hand of the Father.
      • Find verse 54 of Acts 7 and begin reading with me…
      • Acts 7:54-60
    • Here we find the story of the first Christian martyr, the first killed for the sake of preaching the Gospel.
      • Stephen would certainly not be the last…
        • Year after year the church continues to endure persecution…
        • We find those whose lives are snuffed out because of their bold proclamation.
      • Even today, even in America, this risk is real and especially worth considering in light of the events of this week.
    • Some would look out at the tragedy of Stephen’s death and ask, “where was Christ”, why would He allow such suffering?
    • How could Christ alone such a bold defender of the faith and proclaimer of the Gospel to die in such a brutal way…
      • The same could be asked this week as a brother was killed, a modern martyr for the faith.
      • Leaving behind a wife and two young children that are likely to not remember their father.  
      • Where was Christ when this tragic event took place?
    • Look again at Acts 7 and be reminded today of the importance of the ascended Savior…
      • Acts 7:56
  • Where is Christ when the church is suffering?
  • Where is Christ when the saints are perishing?
  • Where is Christ when the pain of death is felt and real?
• He is standing by the Father’s side, ready to welcome those who would pay the price for their faith.
  • Church, in a world of chaos, suffering, and uncertainty, let us remember where our Lord is found.
  • In a position of authority and power, and let us know that nothing…
    • Nothing…
    • Can come our way that escapes His Sovereign eyes.
  • It is also worth mentioning that though Stephen perished the Gospel continued to spread because it cannot be stopped.
    • Acts 8:4
    • In just one chapter the Saul who approved of the death of Stephen was brought face to face with the Risen Lord.
    • In just two chapters the Gospel was proclaimed among the gentiles.
  • Do not miss it, God can and does take the death of His children to spread the Gospel to those who look on.
• Therefore, we have hope…
  • Not in this world but in our Christ who is seated at the right hand of the Father…
  • We hope in this Gospel that we have believed, knowing that it will endure to the end.

Closing

• As we close today I have one question for you…
  • Have you believed this Gospel?
    • Whoever believes will be saved, whoever does not believe will stand condemned…
    • There is no middle ground, there is not any way to be half way on this, you either believe and your life reflects it or you do not.
  • After I pray the altar will be opened for prayer, for reflection, and I will be down front for any decisions that need to be made.
• Let us pray.