Religious Education
The GCSE Course: Mark's Gospel
The Resurrection of Jesus
Text
Mark 16:1-8 & 9-20
Read the passage in your Bibles
Notes
The Empty Tomb
Jesus' body has been buried in a hurry, because of the Sabbath. As soon as the Sabbath was over (Saturday evening) the women went to purchase spices to anoint Jesus' body. The next morning, very early they went to the tomb. When they got there they found the tomb empty.
The Young Man
A man in the tomb tells the women that Jesus had risen and is gone to Galilee. The man is probably meant to be an angel, but notice that there is nothing exaggerated or spectacular about the description.
Galilee
The message is for the disciples to go to Galilee. There are several stories in the other Gospels of Jesus appearing to the disciples. Some take place in Jerusalem, others in Galilee. It is difficult to fit them all together.
Peter
In the message, special mention is made of Peter. Perhaps Mark means to show that Jesus forgave him. It may also show that Peter was a source of information for Mark.
Women
It is remarkable that the first witnesses of the Resurrection are women. Women were not considered reliable witnesses in Jewish law, so no Jew of the time would be convinced by the testimony of a woman. Some people argue that this is a good indication that the events really happened.
Mark tells us that the women are afraid. 'Fear' is often a way of describing the way people feel when they are amazed at the works of God.
The ending of Mark's Gospel
The end of the Gospel is strange. The oldest copies of the text end at verse 8 with the women, afraid, running away from the empty tomb. Verses 9-20 were added to the Gospel later, and seem to be based on stories in the other Gospels, or perhaps other stories which were told.
Why did the Gospel end so suddenly? There are several possible explanations:
- The original ending of the Gospel was lost - in a fire perhaps. For some reason (death, illness or persecution), Mark was not able to complete the story. Mark intended to write a sequel - like Luke's Acts of the Apostles - and this would begin with the resurrection. Mark intended his Gospel to have a dramatic ending.
Verses 9-20
Most of these stories can be found in other Gospels and Acts. For example: verse 12 is the walk to Emmaus, which is in Luke 24:13-35 verse 15 refers to Matthew 28:19 verse 19 refers to Acts 1:9
Does it matter that these verses are not part of the original Gospel? Some Bible scholars say yes, and think these verses should not be considered part of the Gospel of Mark. Most Christians, though, believe it does not really matter who wrote the words, and some would say that the fact that Mark's Gospel is unfinished is a bit like their ideas of the resurrection itself: it continues into the lives of Christians and the story is never ending.
Did it happen?
Christians believe the resurrection really took place. Those who are not Christians believe it did not, or keep an open mind.
Some arguments in favour are: Jesus' disciples were afraid and in hiding - especially the men - what else could explain the complete change in them? Christians were persecuted and died for their belief: why die for something you had made up? People often made fun of the Christians' belief, and argued what could have happened to the body - but no one ever denied that the tomb was empty. Stories show that many different people claimed to have seen Jesus - it couldn't have been just one person making it up. All the Gospels say that the women were the first witnesses to the Gospel, even though they were not considered reliable witnesses. Why make up such a story if it wasn't true?
The Meaning of the Resurrection
More important though than any other argument, Christians say, is the effect the Resurrection has on their lives today. Christians share in the Resurrection when they are baptised. They are baptised into Jesus' death and resurrection. Christian belief in the Resurrection makes them see the whole of life in a different light. They live their lives now knowing that there is another, better life to come. Christians believe that Jesus is still alive and close to them, in times of prayer, and especially in the sacraments. In the Eucharist Christians believe they share Jesus' life, his risen Body and Blood. Christians believe that because Jesus has risen from the dead, all who believe have the opportunity to share in the life in heaven.
Easter and the Resurrection
Christians celebrate the Resurrection on Easter Day. The name 'Easter' comes from an Anglo-Saxon spring festival. In most other languages the word for Easter comes from the Greek word 'Pascha' (pasca), which comes from the word for the Jewish Passover. From this word we get the term 'Paschal' which means 'of Easter' or 'of the Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Jesus'.
Christians also celebrate the resurrection every Sunday. The seven-day week comes from the weekly celebration of the Resurrection which the Christians introduced to the Roman empire.
The Celebration of Easter
From the earliest times, the main celebration of Easter for Christians has been the Easter Vigil. At this service, which takes place in the dark of Saturday night and Easter Sunday morning, the priest blesses the New Fire, a large candle, the Paschal Candle, is dedicated, and there is a long vigil of readings and prayers. Then the priest blesses the font (or just holy water), people may be baptised or confirmed, and the Vigil Mass is celebrated. This is a long, but dramatic service.
After the blessing of the water, and on Easter Day too, instead of the Creed, all the people renew the promises of their baptism.
The Catholic Church keeps all the traditions of the Easter
Vigil. In most other Churches, there is no Vigil, but a service
on Easter morning
Further Information
Holy Week Liturgy a description of the ceremonies of Holy Week in the Catholic Church, which commemorate the last week of Jesus' life on earth, his suffering, death and resurrection.
General Information
The complete text of Mark's Gospel
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