Mark 16:10 Meaning Explained

Mark 16:10

She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The sorrow of Jesus' disciples wasn't just grief; it was mingled with shame for their desertion. Mary, despite their despair, brought them the most astonishing news – that the One they'd failed was alive and conquering death.

What Mark 16:10 means

Mary Magdalene, having just encountered the risen Jesus, rushes to share the astonishing news with the disciples. They are gathered together, consumed by grief and confusion over Jesus' death, unaware that their mourning is about to be interrupted by the most incredible tidings of all. This announcement comes as the immediate follow-up to the women's encounter with the angels at the tomb and Jesus' first appearance to Mary, yet the disciples' reaction will be one of disbelief.

The Contrast of Their Grief

Imagine the scene: utter despair in the air, then a sudden, unbelievable message. How does the disciples' grief set the stage for the resurrection news?

The women arrive at the tomb with news that should be the most joyous in history. Yet, the verse starkly contrasts this with the state of those they encounter:

Mourning and Weeping: The disciples are deeply immersed in sorrow. The loss of Jesus has plunged them into a darkness of despair, leaving them inconsolable.
Loss of Hope: Their weeping isn't just about sadness; it's about the death of their hopes and dreams. They believed Jesus was the one who would redeem Israel, and with His death, that future seemed extinguished.

This profound grief creates a powerful backdrop. The incredible news of the resurrection doesn't just land in a neutral space; it crashes into a space of utter devastation. This contrast highlights the magnitude of the resurrection and how it cuts through the deepest despair.

The Messenger of Joy

Who is this woman, and why is she the one to deliver the most earth-shattering news ever? Her mission reveals so much about God's upside-down kingdom.

Mary Magdalene's role as the first messenger of the resurrection is incredibly significant. It’s not about human status or power, but about divine appointment.

Chosen Despite Her Past: The commentaries remind us that Mary was known for having had seven demons cast out of her (Luke 8:2). She wasn't an obvious choice for a prestigious role by human standards. This shows God's pattern of using the weak and marginalized to display His strength.
Obedience Amidst Joy and Fear: She was commanded by the resurrected Christ to 'Go, tell my brethren.' While the angel’s message at the tomb likely filled her with trembling and amazement, her obedience to Jesus’ command fueled her action.
The First Witness: She is the first to see the risen Christ, and the first to announce His resurrection. This elevates her role and demonstrates that Christ’s victory is for all, especially those who have experienced His deliverance.

Understand the original words

Original language

mournedπενθέω

penthēō · Greek Verb

A deep expression of grief, sorrow, or lamentation. In the New Testament, it often follows the death of a loved one or reflects a state of spiritual brokenness before God.

Historical context

Written: Around 60-62 AD
Author: Traditionally understood as John Mark, a companion of Peter and Paul.
Location: Written from Rome.
Genre: Gospel narrative, characterized by its fast-paced action and vivid descriptions.

Historical background

c. AD 30— this verse
Crucifixion and Burial of Jesus
Jesus Christ was crucified and buried, leading to deep grief and despair among his followers.
c. AD 30
Discovery of the Empty Tomb
The women, including Mary Magdalene, discovered the tomb empty early on the first day of the week.
c. AD 30
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene, who had been deeply grieving and weeping.
c. AD 30
Mary Magdalene Tells the Disciples
Mary Magdalene reported Jesus' resurrection to the disciples, who were still mourning and weeping, but they did not believe her.
c. AD 30
Jesus Appears to Other Disciples
Jesus subsequently appeared to other followers, including two on the road to Emmaus and later to the eleven disciples.

Key themes

01Grief meets glad news
02Disciples' deep sorrow
03Faith's fragile beginnings
04Sudden, life-altering news

Cross-references

John 20:11-18

This passage describes Mary Magdalene's encounter with the resurrected Jesus after her initial visit to the tomb, showing her grief turning to bewildered joy as she relays the news to the disciples.

Luke 24:10-11

This passage highlights the disciples' initial disbelief upon hearing the women's report of the resurrection, underscoring the profound sadness and mourning that clouded their hearts.

Matthew 28:8-10

This account shows the women leaving the tomb with a mix of fear and great joy, and Jesus meeting them directly to deliver the message to the disciples, emphasizing His compassion towards their grieving state.

John 16:20-22

Jesus directly addresses His disciples' future grief, promising that their sorrow would be turned into joy, a prophetic parallel to the disciples' mourning in Mark 16:10 being met with the incredible news of His resurrection.

Scholarly commentary

Mark 16:8-11: "And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid."

And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to inform his disciples. 9. And while they went to inform his disciples, then, lo, Jesus met them, saying, Hail. [305] And they approached, and held his feet, and worshipped him. 10. Then Jesus saith to them, Fear not; go, tell my brethren to go into Gal…

calvin

Mark 16:10: "And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept."

And she went and told them that had been with him,.... Not "with her", as the Persic version reads, but "with him"; that is, with Christ: she went, as she was bid by Christ, and told his disciples, what she had heard and seen; even those who had been with him from the beginning, and had heard his doctrines, and seen his miracles, and had had communion with him, and truly believed in him, and were his cons…
gill

Frequently asked questions

What does Mark 16:10 mean?

Explain the meaning of Mark 16:10

What is the context of Mark 16:10?

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What Mark 16:10 means

Historical background

c. AD 30— this verse

Crucifixion and Burial of Jesus

Jesus Christ was crucified and buried, leading to deep grief and despair among his followers.

c. AD 30

Discovery of the Empty Tomb

The women, including Mary Magdalene, discovered the tomb empty early on the first day of the week.

c. AD 30

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene, who had been deeply grieving and weeping.

c. AD 30

Mary Magdalene Tells the Disciples

Mary Magdalene reported Jesus' resurrection to the disciples, who were still mourning and weeping, but they did not believe her.

c. AD 30

Jesus Appears to Other Disciples

Jesus subsequently appeared to other followers, including two on the road to Emmaus and later to the eleven disciples.

Scholarly commentary

Mark 16:8-11: "And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid."

And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to inform his disciples. 9. And while they went to inform his disciples, then, lo, Jesus met them, saying, Hail. [305] And they approached, and held his feet, and worshipped him. 10. Then Jesus saith to them, Fear not; go, tell my brethren to go into Gal…

calvin

Mark 16:10: "And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept."

And she went and told them that had been with him,.... Not "with her", as the Persic version reads, but "with him"; that is, with Christ: she went, as she was bid by Christ, and told his disciples, what she had heard and seen; even those who had been with him from the beginning, and had heard his doctrines, and seen his miracles, and had had communion with him, and truly believed in him, and were his cons…
gill

Frequently asked questions

What does Mark 16:10 mean?

Explain the meaning of Mark 16:10

What is the context of Mark 16:10?

Ask Sola about this verse

Ask Sola things like:

“What does "mourned" mean in the original Greek?”
“Why did Traditionally understood as John Mark, a companion of Peter and Paul. write Mark 16:10?”
“How does grief meets glad news show up in Mark 16:10?”

Ask in the Sola app Get the app

Live chat about Mark 16:10 is available in the Sola app.