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Mark

Mark 
Day 
Day 352

Acts 5:23 "Indeed, we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!" Acts 5:23"

Day 352 – Mark 16

“Indeed, we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” Acts 5:23

A CAREFUL STUDY OF THE LONGER ENDING

It remains for us to examine the longer-ending of the Gospel of Mark. We will be making very careful comparison of Mark’s text with the other Gospel writers.

JESUS APPEARING TO HIS DISCIPLES

In all the Gospel, Jesus appeared to His Disciples. It would not be inconceivable that Mark wrote the following text.

“Now when He rose early on the first day of the week,
He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom
He had cast out seven demons.”
MARK 16:9

1. Description of Mary Magdalene

a) In full agreement with the other Gospel writers
Mark’s inclusion of Mary Magdalene as one of the women who went to the Garden tomb of Jesus was accurate. Mary was also named as one of the women who went to the tomb of Jesus by the other Gospel writers (Cf. Matthew 28:1; Luke 24:10; John 20:1).
b) Seven demons
Mark noted that Mary Magdalene once was possessed by seven demons! The Gospel writer Luke also made the same notation in the following text.

“And certain women who had been healed of evil spirits
and infirmities- Mary called Magdalene, out of whom
had come seven demonsâ?¦and many others who provided
for Him from their substance.”
LUKE 8:2-3

2. Significance of these details

What is the significance of such details?

a) That the author(s) were careful in their research as well as their writing
b) With special application to the shorter ending of Mark
It would be difficult to imagine why a careful writer like Mark would end his Gospel abruptly at Mark 16:8
c) With special reference to the longer ending of Mark
It would be most consistent to think of Mark concluding his Gospel account on a comprehensive note. Why shouldn’t Mark make mention of Mary Magdalene, who obviously had earned a special place of distinction among the early disciples of Jesus?