Mark Chapter 16

We are coming to the end of the gospel of Mark now in the Read the New Testament in 2021 Reading Plan. Mark chapter 16 is truly a chapter to love and study.

Let’s take a closer look today at the women who arrived carrying special spices to the tomb in the beginning of Mark 16. 

Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
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. 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.”

Overwhelming sorrow must have accompanied them on their walk to the tomb. 

Would they even be able to get in the tomb? It was a very practical question.

Instead of looking for help to roll away the stone, they enter the open tomb and are met by an angel with the amazing news!

In a matter of moments everything changed.

Their question about the stone didn’t matter anymore and the spices were not needed.

Instead of using the spices they are given a special mission. The women are entrusted to go tell the disciples the Good News! 

Charles Spurgeon has some wonderful thoughts on Mark 16:3-4

And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? – Mark 16:3 KJV

A question that has puzzled many other people concerning many other things perplexed these holy women, yet there was no reason for the question to be raised at all. Peradventure, some of you are at this time distressed when there is no cause for distress, and in fear where no fear is. It was so with these women, who said, one to another, “Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulcher?”

And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.  -Mark 16:4 KJV

And, therefore, hard to roll away; and, therefore, the more easily seen when it was rolled away; and, therefore, the greater cause for joy that it was rolled away. In the greatness of our troubles there may often be space for the greater display of the goodness of God; a great trial may be nothing more than the prelude of a great joy. Do not dread the foaming billows, for they may wash you ashore; it is the worst that they can do, and it is the best also. The stone at the door of the sepulcher was very great, but it was rolled away, so that it mattered not to the women how great it was.

– from – Spurgeon’s Verse Expositions of the Bible

I absolutely love this life application that Charles Spurgeon shared from these verses. 

God’s Word is full and overflowing with riches for us to apply in our own lives. The more time spent in the Bible, the more treasures we will discover. 

See this related post – In the Garden