Easter · The Ascension of Our Lord
Mark 16:14-20
The Resurrection
May 14, 2026
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 Commentary: Jesus Is Risen, Verse by Verse Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik covers the longer ending, the Great Commission, and the ascension to the right hand of God.
Mark 16:14 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators on the risen Jesus rebuking unbelief and commissioning the eleven.
Mark 16 Commentary | Precept Austin Precept Austin
Verse-level notes gathering many voices and word helps on the commission and the ascension.
The Ascension of the Lord, Cycle B | Loyola Press Loyola Press · Sunday Connection
A Catholic Sunday Connection reflection on Mark 16:15-20, the sending of the disciples and Christ enthroned.
Background & Word Study
Mark - Enter the Bible Enter the Bible
Scholarly introduction to Mark's Gospel, including the textual question of the longer ending.
Gospel of Mark Summary | Watch an Overview Video BibleProject
An animated overview of Mark's fast-moving narrative up to the resurrection and commission.
Heaven & Earth Biblical Theme BibleProject
An explainer on how heaven and earth relate in Scripture, background for Jesus taken up and seated at God's right hand.
Mark 16:14 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek text with parsing for anelemphthe (was taken up), the ascension verb of verse 19.
Textual variants in the gospels | Psephizo Psephizo · Ian Paul
Ian Paul explains the disputed longer ending of Mark (16:9-20), essential context for preaching this appointed text.
The Church Fathers
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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