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NASB | Mark 16:8 They went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Mark 16:8 They went out and fled from the tomb, for they were seized with trembling and astonishment; and they said nothing [about it] to anyone, because they were afraid. |
Bible Question:
Witnesses to the Resurrection? I've just been reading Mark, and found the active, dynamic picture of Christ very compelling. It is a very urgent telling of the gospel. But I was stumped when I got to the end. I notice there are several discussion threads about the closing verses of Mark (reliability of the longer endings, etc) but no discussion of how to interpret this. The angel proclaims the resurrection, but the 3 women fail to spread the news. This contradicts the other gospels. It also makes me question the truth of the witness: how reliable is their story if they, for instance, don't proclaim the news until much later? Is there something being overlooked here? I find it beautiful that we have 4 gospels, 4 perspectives on the life of our Lord. We do read the Bible as a whole, and yet it is important to listen to each part. (Not read the synoptics as though they were one thing).... But what is Mark saying here? Perhaps it put the responsibility on me, the reader, to spread the good news? |
Bible Answer: "for they were held by alarm and fear." held-restrained, bound by fear At this time, they had not received the Holy Spirit for He had not yet been sent. Jesus told them that after He ascended, they were to go to Jerusalem to tarry and wait. Once the Holy Spirit filed them..they went forth BOLDLY proclaiming the gospel. Luke 24:46-49 Acts 1:6-11 2 Timothy 1:8 God has not given us the Spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind. When the Holy Spirit fills us, boldness and Godly love are present to witness. This bldness will stand in a croud and proclaim Jesus is Lord without any fear of negative consequences. Before He came, they were fearful of the consequences and confused about what had happened. They were 'midstream' between two worlds and unsure which shore to swim to. In Luke it says He 'opened their minds' and then told them to tarry so the openning of their minds...spiritual enlightenment or revealed knowledge came...but they were still told to tarry because the needed more than the spiritual understanding to go forth and and be witnesses. Once the Holy Spirit was received, Mark 16:15-20 began. God bless |