For with God Nothing will be Impossible?

Luke 1:37

Introduction

Luke 1:37 is quoted and used frequently by Christians in a wide variety of contexts to express the belief that God is omnipotent and the hope that He will intervene in our circumstances for our benefit, whatever that might be.  However, it’s often used out of context, likely because of the English translations that most people use.  For example:

“For nothing will be impossible with God (ESV, NAS, NRS, CSB, LEB)”

“For nothing shall be impossible with God (DBY).”

“because nothing shall be impossible with God (YLT).”

“For with God nothing shall be impossible (KJV).”

“For with God nothing will be impossible (NKJV, RSV).”

“For there is nothing that God cannot do (GNT).”

“God can do anything (NCV)!”

The thoughtful Bible reader knows that this statement, without context, actually isn’t true.  Yes, God is omnipotent.  Yet, for example, “it is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18).”  So, what does Luke 1:37 actually say?  The literal translation of Luke 1:37 is more like this:

“For with God every spoken word will not be impossible.”

The key here is the translation of one Greek word — ῥῆμα (rhema) — which literally means “spoken word” [1] but is translated as “thing” in a general sense in most common English translations.  Thankfully, there are some English translations that better capture the meaning of the Greek in this verse:

“For no word from God shall be void of power (ASV).”

“For no word from God will be void of power (HNV, WEB).”

“For no word from God will ever fail (NIV).”

“For the word of God will never fail (NLT).”

“Because no word shall be impossible with God (RHE).”

“For no promise from God will be impossible of fulfilment (WNT).”

“For every word shall not be impossible with God (WYC).”

Context

It’s important to be careful about what we think about Bible verses, and thus important to ponder and understand verses in context.  In this case, the literal translation of Luke 1:37 makes perfect sense in context:

• Luke 1:26-36.  The angel (messenger of God) speaks the promises of God to Mary.
• Luke 1:37. The angel affirms that the spoken word of God, just spoken to Mary, will not be impossible to fulfill.
• Luke 1:38.  Mary affirms her trust in God and His spoken word:

“Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”

The Greek word translated as “word” in Luke 1:38 is ῥῆμα (rhema), the same Greek word used in Luke 1:37, to help solidify the connection in context (at least for those reading in Greek).

Application

Read the written word of God, strive to understand its meaning in context, trust the word, and trust Him who inspired it.

Reference

[1]       https://biblehub.com/greek/4487.htm

Jesus Sat at God’s Right Hand

Mark 16:19

^“So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.^”

Background

This little passage is in some translations of the New Testament, but not others.  For more on that issue, see: Is This Scripture? 

Jesus was Received Up into Heaven

Luke provided some details about this moment (Acts 1:9-11):

“Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.’”

Jesus Sat Down

Jesus Himself declared that “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45)” [see Jesus is the Suffering Servant].  Jesus was in part serving in the role of High Priest (read the book of Hebrews!).  And when He finished that particular work, He declared: “It is finished!”(John 19:30) [see Good Friday : What was Finished?].  And in contrast to the priests working in the Temple in Jerusalem, who were on their feet at all times (or at least they were supposed to be!), Jesus finished His glorious work and sat down.  The writer of Hebrews explains (Hebrews 10:11-12):

“And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.”

At the Right Hand of God

Jesus didn’t sit in a random place.  He didn’t sit at just any place.  He sat down at the right hand of God.  He revealed that this was going to happen in a conversation with the Jewish scribes when He quoted Psalm 110 (Mark 12:36):

“For David himself said by the Holy Spirit:

‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’”

[See Is the Messiah Merely Human?].  And when Jesus was being interrogated after His arrest, He was more direct (Mark 14:61b-62):

“Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, ‘Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?’  Jesus said, ‘I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.’”

In the Bible, the right hand symbolizes the place of:

• Glorious power (Exodus 15:6)
• Consecration (Exodus 29:20)
• God’s law (Deuteronomy 33:2)
• Honor (1 Kings 2:19)
• Pleasure (Psalm 16:11)
• Lovingkindness (Psalm 17:7)
• Saving Strength (Psalm 20:6)
• Justice (Psalm 21:8)
• Righteousness (Psalm 48:10)
• Courage (Psalm 118:15)
• Wisdom (Ecclesiastes 10:2)
• Blessing and Inheritance (Matthew 25:34)
• Exaltation (Acts 2:33)
• Royalty (Acts 5:31)
• Authority (1 Peter 3:22)

And from God’s perspective, this is probably just a glimpse at the significance of Jesus sitting at His right hand.

Application

“Confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:11)!”

Signs Confirmed the Word

Mark 16:17-18,20

^“’And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;  they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.’ … And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.”

Background

This little passage is in some translations of the New Testament, but not others.  For more on that issue, see: Is This Scripture? 

And these Signs 

Mark’s first use of the word “sign” is in Mark 8:11-12 (see Do You Seek a Sign?).  The root word in Greek translated as “sign” — σημεῖον (say-mi’-on) — means “a sign (typically miraculous), given especially to confirm, corroborate or authenticate. (It) emphasizes the end-purpose which exalts the one giving it. Accordingly, it is used dozens of times in the (New Testament) for what authenticates the Lord and His eternal purpose, especially by doing what mere man can not replicate (or) take credit for [1].”

Will Follow

The Greek word translated as “follow” here can also be translated as “accompany” [2,3] which is perhaps more clear.  In other words (literally!), the first five words could be written as:

“And these signs will accompany”

Those Who Believe

In the context of Mark 16, “those who believe” are those who believe the gospel, i.e., those who have faith Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God.

In My Name

This means “in according with Jesus’ character, will, and purpose.”  In other words, the listed signs would only occur in accord with Jesus’ will, not the will of those who believe in Him (see In His Name).

They will Cast Out Demons

It’s recorded that the apostle Paul cast out a demonic “spirit of divination” from a slave girl (Acts 16:16-18):

“Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, ‘These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.’ And this she did for many days.  But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ And he came out that very hour.”

Notice what Paul said: “in the name of Jesus Christ … come out of her.”  Paul cast out this demonic spirit in accord with the will and purpose of Jesus Christ.  In fact, the apostle Paul was apparently even well known by the demonic spirits, who understood the true Authority behind him, and that simple use of the name of Jesus outside of faith in Him and His authority was of no value (Acts 19:13-16):

“Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, ’We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.’ Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.  And the evil spirit answered and said, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?’  Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.”

They will Speak with New Tongues

That is, they will speak with new intelligible languages (for more on this hotly debated issue of tongues see The Gift of Tongues).  Perhaps the most dramatic example of this is the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-11):

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.  And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, ‘Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.’”

They will Take Up Serpents

It’s recorded that after a shipwreck on Malta the apostle Paul was bitten by a viper and suffered no ill effects, to the astonishment of those around him (Acts 28:1-6)!

If they Drink Anything Deadly

There’s no record in the New Testament of believers in Christ drinking poison and surviving [and if you’re tempted to do so, I exhort you not to do it!].

They will Lay Hands on the Sick

The book of Acts emphasizes many instances of healing by God through the apostle Paul.  For example (Acts 19:11-12):

“Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.”

And yes, there are specific instances of Paul literally laying hands on the sick too.  For example (Acts 28:7-9):

“In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him.  So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.”

The Word was Confirmed

This passage, indeed the Gospel of Mark, ends as follows:

“And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.”

The meaning seems plain.  That is, these miraculous signs had the purpose of “confirming the word” that was “preached everywhere” by the apostles and other early disciples.

Are these Signs for All Believers?

This is a question that has been debated for centuries, and it will not be resolved here.  However, in brief, it’s the opinion of this author that these sign were descriptive, not prescriptive, and primarily for the apostles and perhaps some other disciples during the “apostolic age” in accord with the will and purpose of God in order to confirm and authenticate the apostles’ teaching as part of establishing the Church prior to the completion and distribution of the New Testament writings.  However, it is also the opinion of this author that God can will for any Christian to exhibit a sign (it just isn’t a “normative” experience).  For more on that, see the series entitled Spiritual Gifts.

Application

If you are believer in Jesus Christ, then you should “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you (1 Peter 3:15).”  And that defense should always be rooted in the word of God.  Therefore, pray that the Lord would accompany your sharing of the word with “something” that confirms the truth of the word to the hearer(s).  He may or may not choose to answer that prayer in a way that you desire or expect; however, He may work through that circumstance to confirm His word in a way that you may or may not perceive.  Regardless, to Him be the glory!

References

[1]        https://biblehub.com/greek/4592.htm

[2]        https://biblehub.com/interlinear/mark/16-17.htm

[3]        https://studybible.info/strongs/G3877

 

 

 

 

In His Name

Mark 16:17-18

^“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;  they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Background

This little passage is in some translations of the New Testament, but not others.  For more on that issue, see: Is This Scripture?

In My Name

Some people think that if you just say “In Jesus’ Name” at the end of a prayer or statement in general, then whatever they’ve asked for will be granted (such as a miraculous sign).  Simply said, that is an incorrect understanding of Scripture.

The Greek root word translated here as “name” — ὄνομα (on’-om-ah) — indeed can literally mean “name,” but it also figuratively means “character, fame, or reputation [1].”  More fully:

ὄνομα (on’-om-ah) means “the manifestation or revelation of someone’s character, i.e., as distinguishing them from all others. Thus ‘praying in the name of Christ’ means to pray as directed (authorized) by Him, bringing revelation that flows out of being in His presence. ‘Praying in Jesus’ name’ therefore is not a ‘religious formula’ just to end prayers (or get what we want)!”

The apostle John wrote about this topic clearly so that there would be no misunderstanding (1 John 5:14-15):

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

For more on this topic, see:

• Ask and He Hears You
• Confidence in Prayer

Application

Strive to think, feel, speak and act “in Jesus’ name.”  That is, immerse yourself in the reading, meditation, study, understanding, and doing of His word, through the power of the Holy Spirit, that you may increasingly know Jesus and make Him known, that “the Lord may make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all (1 Thessalonians 3:12).”

References

[1]        https://biblehub.com/greek/3686.htm

Is Baptism Required for Salvation?

Mark 16:16

“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

Summary 

Is baptism required for salvation? No. 

Introduction 

This verse appears to imply that belief (faith) in Jesus AND baptism are required for salvation from the just penalty for our sins.  As this little passage is in some versions of the New Testament, but not others (see Is This Scripture?), it might thus be tempting to ignore this verse and thus ignore the apparent implication.  However, the same apparent implication is present elsewhere in the New Testament.  For example, at the end of Peter’s sermon on the first day of Pentecost after Jesus’ resurrection, those who heard his sermon “were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’ Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:37-38).  Therefore, let’s dig in.

Salvation

The New Testament is absolutely clear that salvation comes by God’s grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:4-9):

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

In other words, no human work such as baptism is required for salvation from the wrath of God which is to come.   For more on the doctrine and reality of salvation, see:

• Election
• Faith
• Can You Lose Your Salvation?

Baptism

The English word baptism is derived from the Greek root word baptizo which literally means “to submerge” or “to immerse” or “to cover wholly with a fluid” [1].  The act of baptism with water focuses on acknowledgement of Sin, penitence (sorrow for Sin), and Confession, with the objective of leading to repentance (a turning away from Sin toward God).  For a believer in Jesus Christ, this act is a public proclamation of identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection in newness of life.  This newness of life is enabled by the baptism of the Holy Spirit (in which God places His Spirit permanently within the new believer at or immediately after the point of salvation).  For more on baptism, see Baptism.

Do Mark and Peter Contradict Paul?

It’s unlikely that Mark 16:16 and Acts 2:37-38 simply contradict Ephesians 2:4-9 and teach that a person needs to believe in Jesus AND participate in the public act of water baptism in order to be saved.  Here are two reasons:

• Mark 16:16 ends with the statement that “he who does not believe will be condemned,” not “he who is not baptized will be condemned.”
• Earlier in Mark it’s clear that faith in Jesus leads to forgiveness of sin (see Faith).

What is the Likely Implication in this Passage?

The implication is most likely that the act of water baptism naturally follows after authentic faith.  In other words, if a person truly places his or her trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, then he or she should naturally want to proclaim that to others.  And as Jesus commanded His disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19),” it should be natural for a new believer in Christ to want to submit to Christ as evidence of that trust, and thus submit to water baptism (for more on this see Obedient Faith).

Caution

Water baptism by immersion should NOT be used as a litmus test for assessing the authenticity of someone’s professed belief in Jesus Christ.  That said, professed faith in Christ should lead naturally to good works (Ephesians 2:10):

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Application

Do you believe in Jesus?  If so, then how have you publicly identified with Jesus Christ?  If you haven’t been baptized, then consider doing so, today!  And if you don’t believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord, then “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38)!”

References

[1]        https://biblehub.com/greek/907.htm

Go and Preach the Gospel

Mark 16:15

“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.’”

Background

This little passage is in some translations of the New Testament, but not others.  For more on that issue, see: Is This Scripture? 

Go

Jesus said this to His disciples then.  It’s safe to assume that He is saying the same thing to His disciples today.  So, if you are His disciple, don’t stay put.  Go.  Where?

Into All the World

The Greek root word for world here — κόσμος (kos’-mos) — has been transliterated into English as cosmos, and can mean the entire universe; however, it can also mean the world, the inhabitants of the world, and worldly affairs [1].  So, the implication is simple: disciples are to go and bring something to everyone, everything, everywhere.  Why?  To …

Preach

Yes, all disciples of Christ should preach.  This isn’t just a job for “preachers.”  The Greek root word here — κηρύσσω (kay-roos’-so) — means to proclaim or announce a message publicly with conviction or persuasion [2].  And it’s written in the imperative mood, which means that it’s a command [3].  In other words, Jesus’ disciples were then, and are now, commanded to proclaim a message publicly with conviction.  What message?

The Gospel

The good news — εὐαγγέλιον (yoo-ang-ghel’-ee-on) [4]! Mark began this book as follows (Mark 1:1):

“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

For any reader that has made it to the end of his book, and has thus heard the good news of Jesus Christ and believes it, Mark is now exhorting him/her to share it.  To whom?

To Every Creature

The literal text appears to be “to all the creation” rather than “to every creature” [3] However, the Greek root word translated as all — πᾶς (pas) — means “all in the sense of each and every part that applies,” with “the emphasis on one piece at a time” [5].  Thus, the meaning is clearly to every individual.  To your spouse?  Yes.  Your parents?  Yes. Siblings? Yes. Co-workers? Yes. Mailman? Yes. Friends? Yes. Enemies? Yes. And you get the point.  No one is exempt.  If someone is in your world, then they are on your list.

Application

Do you believe in Jesus?  If so, then go and preach the gospel!

References

[1]        https://biblehub.com/greek/2889.htm
[2]        https://biblehub.com/greek/2784.htm
[3]        https://biblehub.com/interlinear/mark/16-15.htm
[4]        https://biblehub.com/greek/2098.htm
[5]        https://biblehub.com/greek/3956.htm

 

 

 

Rebuke and Correction

Mark 16:14

“Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.”

Background

This little passage is in some translations of the New Testament, but not others.  For more on that issue, see: Is This Scripture?

Unbelief in the Gospel of Mark

Jesus rebuked His disciples’ unbelief (or “lack of faith”) after His resurrection.  But this was not the first instance of unbelief recorded in Mark’s gospel.  For example:

• Mark 3:5 (He rebuked the hardness of their hearts)
• Mark 4:35-41 (Does Jesus Care that We’re Perishing?)
• Mark 6:1-6 (Jesus was Rejected at Nazareth)
• Mark 9:14-29 (Overcoming Unbelief)

Jesus’ Responses to Unbelief

Jesus had various responses to unbelief throughout His ministry on earth, including:

• Anger (Mark 3:5)
• Grief (Mark 3:5)
• Apparent incredulity (Mark 4:40)
• Marvel (Mark 6:6)
• Disappointment (Mark 9:19)

In several instances this led to rebuke:

• He rebuked the wind (Mark 4:39)
• He rebuked an unclean spirit (Mark 9:25)
• He rebuked His disciples (Mark 16:14)

Clearly, neither anything nor anyone is beyond the reach of Christ’s rebuke!

What is Rebuke?

The Greek word translated as rebuke means “to throw reproach upon” [1], and reproach is the expression of disapproval or disappointment, with the implication that something is wrong and needs to be corrected [2].  What’s fascinating is that in the context of these verses, Jesus didn’t merely rebuke, He took action to correct that which was in need of correction.   For example:

• After He rebuked the wind, the wind ceased (Mark 4:39)
• After He rebuked the unclean spirit, it left the boy whom it had possessed (Mark 9:26)
• After His disciples did not believe the testimony that He rose from the dead (Mark 16:13), He appeared to them personally (Mark 16:14) to validate the testimony, and after He rebuked them, He sent them on a mission to share the gospel that people would believe and be saved (Mark 16:15-18).

Application

Perhaps you’re not a follower of Jesus and don’t trust Him, at least not yet.  Then consider this a rebuke from Him for your unbelief, and take action to correct your unbelief (John 6:29):

“Believe in Him who (God) sent!”

For example, you can pray to Jesus like this (Mark 9:24):

“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

Perhaps you are a follower of Jesus.  If so, then be assured (Hebrews 12:6):

“For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.”

You will periodically need rebuke, and action will need to be taken.  Are you willing to receive rebuke and change?

Finally, whether or not you are a Christian, you likely have rebuked someone in the past, and will likely desire to rebuke someone in the future.  So, if you rebuke anyone, choose to imitate Christ.  Don’t only point out that which is in need of correction, seek to correct that which is disappointing.  You don’t have the power of Christ, but you have the ability to do something other than just voice your disapproval or post a meme in social media.

References

[1]        https://studybible.info/strongs/G3679

[2]        https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reproach

Jesus Appeared in a Different Form – Do You Believe?

Mark 16:12-13

“After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country. And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.”

Background

This little passage is in some translations of the New Testament, but not others.  For more on that issue, see: Is This Scripture?  However, a complete description of these events is provided in Luke 24:13-35.  For a poetic summary of the events, see The Road to Emmaus.

He Appeared in Another Form

Jesus appeared to these two people in “another form.”   The Greek root word for “another” used here — ἕτερος (het’-er-os) — means “different,” “of a different kind,” “distinct in kind,” or “of a different quality” [1].  As Jesus had been raised from the dead, it can be inferred that His resurrected body was indeed different, of a different kind and quality than His previous body (i.e., the one that He had prior to His death and resurrection).  As the apostle Paul has explained (1 Corinthians 15:39):

“All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds.”

And by extension, the flesh of a resurrected person is also different.  But what was it like?  Paul further explained (1 Corinthians 15:43-44b):

“It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.  It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.”

In other words, this different body was glorious, powerful, and spiritual!  But don’t be mistaken — this spiritual body was also physical.  For example, at a later point He appeared to His disciples and ate some broiled fish and some honeycomb to demonstrate to them that He wasn’t merely a spirit (see Luke 24:36-43).

But They Did Not Believe

These two men on the road to Emmaus, and afterward in their home, had a unique and amazing encounter with the risen Christ.  As soon as they realized this, “they arose that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying ‘the Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!’ And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread (Luke 24:33-35).” However, “they (the disciples) did not believe them (the two men) (Mark 16:13).”

Application

Dear reader, Jesus rose from the dead with another, a different, a glorified, powerful and spiritual body.  And He appeared to His disciples.  At first, they didn’t believe.  The important question though is this: do you believe?

Reference

[1]        https://biblehub.com/greek/2087.htm

He is Risen! – A Proposed Harmonization of Jesus’ First and Second Appearances

Mark 16:9-11

“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.  She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept.  And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.”

Background

This little passage is in some translations of the New Testament, but not others.  For more on that issue, see: Is This Scripture?

Introduction

These verses focus on “Mary Magdalene, out of whom He (Jesus) had cast seven demons.”  Luke also wrote that “out of (Mary called Madgalene) had come seven demons (Luke 8:2).”  However, there aren’t any other passages in the Bible about that event, so perhaps the description is intended primarily to identify this particular Mary and to distinguish her from other women named Mary from Magdala.

Prior to the incident described in Mark 16:9-10, Mary Magdalene arrived at Jesus’ empty tomb with a group of other women shortly after Jesus rose from the dead, after which they were informed by angels that Jesus indeed rose from the dead — see He is Risen! (Apparent Inconsistencies Easily Reconciled).  Thereafter they fled the tomb and said nothing to anyone (Mark 16:1-8).

A Harmonized Chronology?

At some point soon thereafter, on the first — πρώτῃ (prōtē)  [1] — day of the week, i.e., Sunday, Jesus appeared first — πρῶτον (prōton) [2] — to Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9), after which she went and told others that He had risen.  However, if you read all four Gospel accounts of the day that Jesus rose from the dead, the chronology of events and surrounding details appear to differ considerably.  In this case, there are really only two possibilities:

• There are contradictions, and one or more (or all) of the accounts are wrong; or
• All of the accounts are correct but provide different, complementary, details.

In support of the latter, rather than the former, possibility, a table has been prepared which proposes a harmonization of all verses that describe the events of that amazing Sunday morning as recorded in the four Gospels:

He Is Risen – Harmony of the Gospels

Application

Read and study Scripture (Psalm 1:1-2), test all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21b), don’t doubt (James 1:6-8), trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5), hold fast what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21b), sanctify the Lord God in your heart(s), and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear (1 Peter 3:15)!

References

[1]        https://biblehub.com/greek/4413.htm
[2]        https://biblehub.com/greek/4412.htm

Is this Scripture?

Mark 16:9-20

“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.  She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept.  And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.  After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country.  And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.  Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.  And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.’  So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.  And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.” 

Introduction 

This little passage is in some translations of the New Testament, but not others.  Here is what the editors of the New Geneva Study Bible have to say on the issue [1]:

“Scholars differ regarding whether these verses were originally part of this Gospel.  Some important early Greek manuscripts lack these verses, other manuscripts have vv. 9-20 (known as the ‘Longer Ending’), and still others have a ‘Shorter Ending’ (roughly one verse long).  A few manuscripts have both the ‘Shorter Ending’ and the ‘Longer Ending.’  Because of these differences, some scholars believe that vv. 9-20 were added later and not written by Mark.  On the other hand, the verses are cited by writers from the late second century and are found in the overwhelming majority of existing Greek manuscripts of the Gospel of Mark.  For other scholars, these facts establish the authenticity of the passage.”

The Blog Author’s Thoughts

Opposition to the inclusion of Mark 16:9-20 primarily arose in the 19th century upon further inspection of two ancient manuscripts: the Codex Vaticanus and the Codex Sinaiticus.  Both of these manuscripts have problems (such as substantial omission and corrections), and interestingly, Codex Sinaiticus was apparently found in a trash can in the Greek Orthodox Monastery of St. Catherine while in queue to be burned [2].  Of course, much more can be written (and certainly has been!) about the quality of these and other ancient manuscripts.  In the opinion of the blog author, the opposition to the inspiration of these verses appears to be a relatively recent phenomenon based on a small number of texts of uncertain merit.  Therefore, I recommend the following:

Use a literal translation based on the traditional Greek text, such as the King James Version or New King James Version, but use a study bible that carefully notes the differences between these texts and more recent translations, such as the New Geneva Study Bible, to be aware of, and understand, the differences.

More recent translations based in part on these uncertain Greek manuscripts, such as the ESV and NASB, are still good translations that contain the same truth about Jesus Christ and His glorious gospel.  If you choose to use them, I encourage you to obtain a study bible that notes all differences with the traditional Greek text, or to also read a NKJV in parallel for direct comparison.

Application

God Himself has warned us:

“Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar (Proverbs 30:6).”

“For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book (Revelation 22:18-19).”

It’s reasonable to infer that these warnings are applicable to the entirety of the Bible.  Therefore, don’t simply trust the opinion of one group of scholars or another about the issue of Mark 16:9-20.  Study the word, in multiple translations, from different manuscript traditions, and then serve the living God!

End Note 

“Now, as to myself, I have so described these matters as I have found them and read them; but if anyone is inclined to another opinion about them, let him enjoy his sentiments without any blame from me [3].” 

References

[1]        “New Geneva Study Bible : New King James Version,” Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, 1995, p. 1597.
[2]        https://www.preservedword.com/content/the-unreliablitity-of-the-alexandrian-manuscripts/
[3]        Josephus, F., “Antiquities of the Jews.” Book X, Chapter 11, Section 7.