Mark – Chapter 16

New Testament20 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 16 of Mark begins: "And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalen and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought sweet spices, that coming, they might anoint…" The chapter centers on Mary, Mary Magdalen and James. Across its 20 verses, two threads run through the text: faith and trust in God and resurrection and eternal life. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalen and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought sweet spices, that coming, they might anoint Jesus.

2And very early in the morning, the first day of the week, they come to the sepulchre, the sun being now risen.

3And they said one to another: Who shall roll us back the stone from the door of the sepulchre?

4And looking, they saw the stone rolled back. For it was very great.

5And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed with a white robe: and they were astonished.

6Who saith to them: Be not affrighted. you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen: he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him.

7But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee. There you shall see him, as he told you.

8But they going out, fled from the sepulchre: for a trembling and fear had seized them. And they said nothing to any man: for they were afraid.

9But he rising early the first day of the week, appeared first to Mary Magdalen; out of whom he had cast seven devils.

10She went and told them that had been with him, who were mourning and weeping.

11And they hearing that he was alive and had been seen by her, did not believe.

12And after that he appeared in another shape to two of them walking, as they were going into the country.

13And they going told it to the rest: neither did they believe them.

14At length he appeared to the eleven as they were at table: and he upbraided them with their incredulity and hardness of heart, because they did not believe them who had seen him after he was risen again.

15And he said to them: Go ye into the whole world and preach the gospel to every creature.

16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall he condemned.

17And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name they shall cast out devils. They shall speak with new tongues.

18They shall take up serpents: and if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. They shall lay their hand upon the sick: and they shall recover.

19And the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God.

20But they going forth preached every where: the Lord working withal, and confirming the word with signs that followed.

Important Verses in Mark 16

And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalen and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought sweet spices, that coming, they might anoint Jesus.

Mark 16:1

And looking, they saw the stone rolled back. For it was very great.

Mark 16:4

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall he condemned.

Mark 16:16

And the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God.

Mark 16:19

Historical Context

Mark addresses persecuted Christians in Rome, strengthened to follow the crucified Lord within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 16 of 16 brings the book to its close, gathering up themes introduced earlier. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 20 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Mary, Mary Magdalen, James and Peter appear at the center of the events recorded here. The passage starts with these words: "And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalen and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought sweet spices, that coming,…" It concludes: "But they going forth preached every where: the Lord working withal, and confirming the word with signs that followed. " In terms of historical background, The earliest and shortest Gospel moves with urgency—'immediately' is its favorite word—presenting Jesus as the Son of God revealed above all on the Cross. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Mark around About AD 65-70, probably in Rome.

Who Wrote It

John Mark, companion of Peter and Paul; early tradition calls him Peter's interpreter

When It Was Written

About AD 65-70, probably in Rome

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of Mark 16 presents a concrete episode in the history of Jesus as the suffering Servant and Son of God. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalen and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought sweet spices, that coming, they might anoint Jesus." The passage repeatedly touches on faith and trust in God.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of Jesus as the suffering Servant and Son of God. Mark emphasizes the mystery of Christ's identity (CIC 515). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 1604).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.
  • The resurrection of Christ is the foundation of our faith and the promise of our own resurrection.
  • The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.

People in This Chapter

Mary3 mentionsMary Magdalen2 mentionsJames1 mentionPeter1 mention

Reflection for Today

Mark Chapter 16 belongs to the New Testament and forms part of the Catholic canon proclaimed in the liturgy of the Word.

Through typology, the Church often reads Old Testament passages as preparing for Christ, while New Testament passages reveal Him explicitly. Mark emphasizes the mystery of Christ's identity (CIC 515). Here the believer is invited to ponder gratitude as the foundation of prayer.

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 74) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mark Chapter 16 about?

Mark 16 contains 20 verses. It opens with "And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalen and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought sweet spices, that coming,…" and closes with "But they going forth preached every where: the Lord working withal, and confirming the word with signs that followed. ". The book as a whole is gospel.

What is a key verse in Mark 16?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalen and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought sweet spices, that coming, they might anoint Jesus." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Mark Chapter 16?

This chapter mentions Mary, Mary Magdalen, James, Peter.

Who wrote Mark and when?

John Mark, companion of Peter and Paul; early tradition calls him Peter's interpreter. About AD 65-70, probably in Rome.

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