Mark 16
The empty tomb
When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint him. Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. They were saying among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” for it was very big. Looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back.
Entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. He said to them, “Don’t be amazed. You seek Jesus, the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him! But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He goes before you into Galilee. There you will see him, as he said to you.’”
They went out, and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had come on them. They said nothing to anyone; for they were afraid.
After the Sabbath, three women bring spices to anoint Jesus' body, wondering who will roll away the stone. They find it already rolled back, and inside a young man in white tells them Jesus has risen and that they must tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of them to Galilee. The women flee in terror and say nothing to anyone.
What does this mean?
'The first day of the week' is Sunday. 'Affrighted' (KJV) means alarmed. 'Sweet spices' were aromatic oils and perfumes to honour the body. The 'young man' is not called an angel, though his white robe suggests a heavenly messenger.
Historical context
Women's testimony carried less weight than men's in many settings of the time, and many historians think early Christians would have been unlikely to invent women as the first witnesses.
Why does it matter?
In the earliest manuscripts, Mark's Gospel ends here, with the women's fear and silence — in Greek, on the word 'for'. Many scholars think this abrupt ending was intended, leaving readers to carry the message forward; others think the original ending was lost. The promise of Galilee recalls 14:28.
Editorial notes, not scripture.
Told in all four Gospels
Matthew 28:1–8
The empty tomb
How Matthew tells it
Only Matthew describes an earthquake, an angel descending to roll away the stone and sit on it, and terrified guards. The women leave with 'fear and great joy', whereas Mark's account ends with them saying nothing because they were afraid. Luke has two men in dazzling clothes; John has Mary Magdalene, then Peter and another disciple.
Continue reading in Matthew →Luke 24:1–12
The empty tomb
How Luke tells it
Luke has "two men" in shining clothes (Mark: a young man; Matthew: an angel; John: two angels). They recall what Jesus said "in Galilee" rather than sending the disciples to Galilee, keeping Luke's story around Jerusalem. Only Luke names Joanna and has the apostles dismiss the women's report. Peter runs alone (John: Peter and the beloved disciple).
Continue reading in Luke →John 20:1–10
The empty tomb
How John tells it
In John, Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb alone, though she says "we", and runs to fetch Peter and the beloved disciple; no angel speaks to her at this stage. Luke briefly mentions Peter running to the tomb, but only John describes two disciples racing there, the arrangement of the grave cloths, and the other disciple seeing and believing.
Continue reading in John →How Mark tells it
Mark names three women, including Salome, and alone tells of them buying spices and wondering who will move the stone. Mark's messenger is a young man in white sitting inside the tomb, and only Mark has 'his disciples and Peter'. Mark ends with the women fleeing and telling no one, where the other accounts have the disciples told.