Mark 16 9

Mark 16:9 kjv

Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

Mark 16:9 nkjv

Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons.

Mark 16:9 niv

When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons.

Mark 16:9 esv

[Some of the earliest manuscripts do not include 16:9?20.] Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene [[Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.

Mark 16:9 nlt

After Jesus rose from the dead early on Sunday morning, the first person who saw him was Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons.

Mark 16 verses

Mark 16 9 Meaning

Mark 16:9 introduces the immediate aftermath of Jesus' resurrection, stating that He rose early on the first day of the week and appeared first to Mary Magdalene. The verse also reminds the reader of her past, identifying her as the one from whom Jesus had cast out seven demons, underscoring both His transformative power and her chosen role as the initial witness of His risen form.

Mark 16 9 Context

Mark 16:9 immediately follows the narrative of the women finding the empty tomb and an angel instructing them to tell the disciples that Jesus has risen and is going ahead to Galilee. However, the women, in their fear and astonishment, fled and said nothing to anyone (Mk 16:8). Mark 16:9-20 (the "Longer Ending of Mark") presents a sequence of Jesus' post-resurrection appearances and subsequent commission to the disciples. Within this ending, verse 9 sets the scene for Jesus' initial appearances, rectifying the silence implied by verse 8 and directly providing the first, crucial testimony to the resurrection, establishing the primary witness for the most pivotal event in Christian faith.

Word Analysis

• Now when He rose:
  • Now when: Connects this section to the preceding narrative, signaling a progression in time and events. It introduces the main action.
  • He rose: (Greek: anastas, ἀναστάς, aorist active participle) Refers to Jesus' resurrection from the dead. The active voice emphasizes His own power and authority in rising, not merely being raised by another (though God the Father is also affirmed as raising Him, e.g., Acts 2:24). This signifies triumph over death.
• early on the first day of the week:
  • early: (Greek: prōi, πρωΐ) Indicates the time just after dawn, underscoring the promptness and surprise of the event. It aligns with accounts in other Gospels.
  • on the first day of the week: (Greek: mias sabbatōn, μιᾷ σαββάτων, literally "one of sabbaths") This is an idiom for Sunday, the day after the Sabbath. This timing is profoundly significant: it marks a "new creation," symbolizing God's work of recreation through the resurrection, moving from the old covenant's Sabbath to the new covenant's Lord's Day for Christian worship and gathering.
• He appeared first:
  • He appeared: (Greek: ephanē, ἐφάνη, aorist passive, literally "He was made visible" or "He was revealed") This passive voice implies that the appearance was divinely initiated. It signifies a spiritual manifestation, a tangible encounter.
  • first: (Greek: prōton, πρῶτον) Emphasizes priority and distinction. Mary Magdalene was the premier human witness to the resurrected Lord. This choice is profound given the cultural norms that would discount a woman's testimony.
• to Mary Magdalene:
  • Mary Magdalene: (Greek: Mariam hē Magdalēnē, Μαριὰμ ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ) A prominent follower of Jesus, consistently mentioned among the women who ministered to Him and were present at His crucifixion and burial. Her name "Magdalene" likely refers to her town, Magdala.
• from whom He had cast out seven demons:
  • from whom He had cast out: (Greek: aph' hēs ekbeblēkei, ἀφ᾽ ἧς ἐκβεβλήκει, pluperfect tense) The pluperfect tense denotes a completed action in the past prior to another past action, emphasizing that this healing was a definitive event in Mary's life before the resurrection. This detail powerfully links Mary's profound transformation directly to Jesus' earlier ministry.
  • seven demons: Denotes a severe and pervasive demonic possession, signifying deep spiritual bondage. This detail highlights the radical extent of Jesus' liberating power and grace in her life. It shows Mary as someone utterly transformed by Jesus, making her choice as first witness even more striking – not a person of social standing, but one miraculously healed.

Mark 16 9 Bonus section

The passage Mark 16:9-20 is known as the "Longer Ending of Mark." While some ancient manuscripts and early church fathers attest to its presence, some of the earliest and most authoritative Greek manuscripts conclude Mark at verse 8. However, its contents are largely consistent with other Gospel accounts and early Christian traditions regarding Jesus' post-resurrection appearances and commissions. Scholars hold various views on its canonicity and origin, but it has been accepted and included in most Bibles for centuries, playing a significant role in Christian theology and liturgy. Its inclusion of Mary Magdalene as the first witness, followed by the disciples' unbelief, serves to re-emphasize the foundational role of personal experience and testimony in the face of skepticism. This section provides an essential bridge between the discovery of the empty tomb and the ultimate commissioning of the disciples to preach the Gospel.

Mark 16 9 Commentary

Mark 16:9 serves as a pivotal statement regarding the resurrection, particularly within the longer ending of Mark. It underscores the critical fact of Jesus' physical rising and pinpoints the very first witness: Mary Magdalene. This detail is immensely significant. Choosing a woman, and specifically one from whom He had expelled seven demons, for this momentous revelation challenged societal expectations where women's testimony was often discounted and those previously demonized were marginalized. This act demonstrates Jesus' profound love, grace, and willingness to use those deemed least by the world, transforming them into messengers of His greatest victory. Her past suffering, highlighted by the "seven demons," underscores the power of her deliverance by Christ, making her a living testament to His redemptive work even before His resurrection. The "first day of the week" appearance also establishes the day that would become sacred for Christian gathering and worship, marking a new spiritual creation inaugurated by the triumph over death. Mary Magdalene’s unique encounter then forms the basis for her mission to the disciples, who, as other Gospel accounts indicate (and Mark 16:10 implies), initially struggled with unbelief, thus requiring this radical divine initiative.