Easter Season · Ascension of the Lord · Year B
Mark 16:15-20
The Resurrection
Overview & Insights
“He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.” (Mark 16:6)
In God’s sovereign plan, suffering also leads to victory, and persecution to vindication. The resurrection of Jesus concludes not just the passion events but the whole Gospel of Mark, and it promises for God’s people that all of our failures will be overturned in Jesus. Structure Mark centers on the women and structures his narrative in a series of collages moving in three successive scenes: (1) Verses 1–4 contrast the women’s desire with the practical barriers, thereby continuing the misunderstanding motif. (2) Verses 5–7 contrast the women’s amazement with the angelic message. Here the angel first rebukes, then corrects, and then commissions the women; the stress is upon the solution to the messianic dilemma (the seeming failure of God’s plan in Jesus): the presence of the risen Lord.
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Commentary
Mark 16 - The Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik walks verse by verse through the Great Commission and the ascension that closes Mark's Gospel.
Mark 16:15 Commentaries BibleHub
Stacks classic commentators (Ellicott, Barnes, Gill, Meyer) on the command to preach the gospel to all creation.
Mark 16 Commentary Precept Austin
Verse by verse notes with Greek word helps and a wide anthology of preachers on the risen Lord's commission.
The Ascension of the Lord, Cycle B Loyola Press · Sunday Connection
Sunday Connection sets the Catholic Cycle B reading of Mark 16 in the context of Jesus seated at the Father's right hand.
The Ascension of the Lord, Year B Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre
Brant Pitre unpacks the Year B Mass readings and the scriptural roots of the ascension for preachers.
The Ascension of the Lord Word on Fire · Bishop Barron
Bishop Robert Barron preaches the meaning of the ascension for the mission of the Church.
Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord (Cycle B) Agape Bible Study
A detailed Catholic Bible study connecting all four ascension readings for Cycle B.
Background & Word Study
Mark | Enter the Bible Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on the author, audience and shape of Mark's Gospel, including its endings.
Book of Mark Overview BibleProject
Animated overview tracing the literary design and message of Mark up to the resurrection.
Mark 16:15 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek text with parsing and Strong's numbers for the commission and the signs that follow.
The Church Fathers
Sermons & Reflections
Questions preachers ask
How does Mark tell the Resurrection?
At dawn the women bring spices and find the stone rolled back and a young man in white announcing that the crucified Jesus is risen and goes before them to Galilee.
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