Mark 16:5-8 NKJV – 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 “But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.” 8 So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
V5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
The young man is a holy angel (Daniel 10:5-6 and John 20:11). Angels are usually seen wearing long white robes down to almost the ankles. Note the historical eyewitness who related this to Peter that the angel was on the right side. This would most likely be the witnesses’ right side.
A comment found in Constable’s Commentary: “It may be suggested that the purpose of the angel’s presence at the tomb was to be the link between the actual event of the Resurrection and the women. Human eyes were not permitted to see the event of the Resurrection itself. But the angels as the constant witnesses of God’s action saw it. So the angel’s word to the women, ‘He is risen’, is, as it were, the mirror in which men were allowed to see the reflection of this eschatological event.” [Note #810: Cranfield, The Gospel . . ., pp. 465-66.]”
V6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.
Since he is there for a peaceful purpose, he wishes for them to not be fearful. He knew why they were there and why Jesus is not there. Jesus’s resurrection was predicted in the Old Testament (Psalm 16:10 and Isaiah 53:10-12) and by Jesus (Matthew 16:21). The angel is also a witness. The angel is clear who this “Jesus” is; He is Jesus of Nazareth. There can be no mistake on the women’s part. Yes, this is the correct tomb for the women had seen where Jesus was buried (Mark 15:47) and the angel confirms this to be that very tomb.
V7 “But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”
The angel reviews the 3 commands that Jesus gave before His crucifixion: 1) tell the disciples, 2) Jesus is going to Galilee, and 3) you will see Him there.
All of God’s unconditional promises are true. God’s conditional promises are also true depending on the people’s response to God’s commands.
Peter may have been very despondent after denying the Lord Jesus. So, to encourage him of God’s acceptance, the angel gives the message to inform the disciples and to make sure they tell Peter.
The angel confirms that they will see Jesus in Galilee.
V8 So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
They didn’t waste any time. The trembling and amazement were emotions of joy, not fear or sorrow.
Trembling is usually associated with fear, but in this situation, it is related to joy.
They did not stop and talk with anyone. They hurried to tell the others.
We learn:
- Jesus did rise from the dead.
- Angels do, when sent by God, interact with humans.
- We are to obey.
Questions:
- What would have been your reaction to the angel’s message?
- Why is Peter singled out for testifying that Jesus had risen from the dead?
A study by Wilbur Pickering on why the longer ending should be included is here ( https://www.revisedstandard.net/text/WNP/ap_f.html )
Many, if not most, include the longer now.