20160412 Tuesday, April 12 2016
Mark 16: Why Did They Find The Tomb Already Empty At Sunrise?

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"Very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun ... Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: He is risen; He is not here"

The last chapter (keeping in mind that the Holy Scriptures were originally written without chapters or verse numbers; they were added much later, primarily by printers and publishers in Europe - "chapters" beginning around the 13th century and "verses" from about the 16th century) of Mark (see Mark: Was It John Mark?) is a very concise ("expressing much in few words") account of the events of the Messiah's Resurrection.

According to the Holy Scriptures, as attested by all four of the Gospel book writers, there was no "sunrise resurrection." The Word of God plainly states that the Tomb was already empty when the women arrived at sunrise (see the Fact Finder question below).

"16:1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

16:2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

16:3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?" (Mark 16:1-3 KJV)

The "very great" stone that sealed the Tomb had been miraculously rolled away - not to let the Messiah out, but to allow the world to see that the risen Messiah could pass through the barriers of stone that were created by man (see The Sign Cover Up).

"16:4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

16:5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.

16:6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. 16:7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

16:8 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." (Mark 16:4-8 KJV)

There were no commas in the original Scriptures. Consider the great difference that the placement of a comma can make within identical words.

The first example says that Jesus rose, and then later appeared to Mary Magdalene:

Now when Jesus was risen, [comma] early the first day of the week he appeared first to Mary Magdalene.

The second example seems to say, is made to say, that the Messiah rose on the first day of the week and appeared to Mary Magdalene:

Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, [comma] he appeared first to Mary Magdalene.

But the Bible says that the Tomb was already empty at sunrise - so we know that the first example is the correct one. The translators placed the comma in this verse in the wrong place - the Bible itself testifies where the comma belongs.

"16:9 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 KJV)

It was a joyous shock to the women - who were believers. They were astonished that it happened.

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

16:11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not." (Mark 16:10-11 KJV)

So too with others (see On The Way To Emmaus).

"16:12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.

16:13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them." (Mark 16:12-13 KJV)

Then, the risen Messiah appeared to the disciples ("disciple" means student) who were then given their commission as apostles ("apostle" means someone who is sent with authority of the one who sent them i.e. an ambassador).

"16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." (Mark 16:14-18 KJV)

At the appointed time weeks later (see The Passover To Pentecost Connection), the ascension to the Throne of God in heaven (see The Ascent From Bethany).

"16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen." (Mark 16:19-20 KJV)

Fact Finder: What was the annual Sabbath that was about to begin just as the Messiah's Body was placed in the Tomb?
See The Two Sabbaths Of Passover Week