Mark 16 (KJV) - Bible Truth Library

• Verses 9-20. This is another testimony. The disciples do not appear here as an elect remnant, but in the unbelief natural to man. The message is sent to the whole world. (“Mark 16” by J.N. Darby)

• Mary Magdalene, formerly possessed by seven demons-the absolute slave of that dreadful power-is employed to communicate the knowledge of His resurrection to the companions of Jesus. (“Mark 16” by J.N. Darby)

• “Seven demons.” This represents the complete possession of this poor woman by the unclean spirits to whom she was a prey. It is the expression of the real state of the Jewish people. (“John 20” by J.N. Darby)

• The Son of God comes, as we know, to destroy the works of the devil: He was manifested for that purpose. The defeat of Satan’s power, even before this, in the case of Mary Magdalene, was yet more confirmed by this, that the risen conqueror of Satan appeared first to her. (“Mark 16” by W. Kelly)

• {v.9-21} I admit that there are certain differences between this portion and the previous part of chapter 16. But, in my judgment, the Spirit purposely put them in a different light. Here it is a question of forming the servants according to that rising from the dead for which He had prepared them....Can anyone who knows the character of the Lord and of His ministry conceive for an instant that we should be left with nothing but a message baulked through the alarm of women?....The very freedom of the style, the use of words not elsewhere used, or so used by Mark, and the difficulties of some of the circumstances narrated, tell, to my mind, in favor of its genuineness; for a forger would have adhered to the letter, if he could not so easily catch the spirit of Mark....No good version of antiquity omits. But a few Fathers, on harmonistic grounds, talk of the accurate copies ending with ἐφοβοῦτο γάρ. The positive external proofs and the internal prove not only that it is inspired Scripture, but from none other than Mark himself. (“Mark 16” by W. Kelly)

J. N. Darby Translation

Now when he had risen very early, the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary of Magdala, out of whom he had cast seven demons.

W. Kelly Translation

Nowa when he had risen early on the first [day] of the week, he appeared first to Mary of Magdala, out of whom he had cast seven demons.

WK Translation Notes

Verses 9-20 are omitted in a few MSS. and versions, but no good version of antiquity omits them. Few Fathers, on harmonistic grounds, talk of the accurate copies ending with "were afraid." The vast mass give a positive testimony. It seems probable that much of this, if not all, may be accounted for by the difficulty found in harmonizing the passage with others. Possibly it may have been added later by the same hand; for certainly the last verse indicates a date considerably later than that which is usually assigned to the publication of this Gospel. There are certain differences between this portion and the previous part of chapter 16. But, in my judgment, the Spirit purposely put them in a different light. Here it is a question of forming the servants according to that rising from the dead for which he had prepared them. The positive external proofs and the internal prove not only that it is inspired Scripture, but from none other than Mark himself.