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.

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.

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.

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 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:

1. The original ending of the Gospel was lost - in a fire perhaps.
2. For some reason (death, illness or persecution), Mark was not able to complete the story.
3. Mark intended to write a sequel - like Luke’s Acts of the Apostles - and this would begin with the resurrection.
4. Mark intended his Gospel to have a dramatic ending.

Most of these stories can be found in other Gospels and Acts. For example:

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.

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:

More important though than any other argument, Christians say, is the effect the Resurrection has on their lives today.

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

.