Jesus' rebuke - Mark 16:14
Jesus' rebuke seems to be directed at the unbelief that is reported in verses 11 and 13. See
WCF 17.3.
Great Commission - Mark 16:15
This verse seems to be another version of the Great Commission of Matt. 28:19, 20. Matthew's version took place on a mountain in Galilee. Mark's version is located in a room while they were eating. See
WLC 35.
Mark 16:15-16
See
WCF 7.3;
28.4;
WLC 60,
63;
HC 71.
Baptized - Mark 16:16
Some interpreters believe that this verse teaches that one must be
baptized to be
saved. That is not the only possible interpretation of this verse, but it is more plausible than similar arguments that are sometimes made from passages such as John 3:5 and Acts 2:38. Nowhere does the New Testament clearly teach that baptism is required for salvation. Salvation is consistently presented as the result of grace through faith. See Eph. 2:8:9. Of course, if these verses were not a part of Mark's original gospel this text is not a part of that theological conversation at all.
Signs - Mark 16:17-18
All of the
signs that are predicted here are reported later in the rest of the New Testament. These signs accompany all believers. The words
in my name are placed at the beginning of the sentence to give them emphasis. These signs are presented as promises of Jesus' continuing powerful presence with his people, not as commands. For example, Christ followers are promised protection (Acts 28:3-6).
Snake handling - Mark 16:18
They are not commanded to pick up snakes, so there is no justification for snake handling in these verses.
Seated at the right hand - Mark 16:19
The description of Jesus seated at the
right hand exalts him to the place of ultimate authority in the universe. See 14:62 and other similar New Testament affirmations such as Acts 2:33; Eph. 1:20-23; Phil. 2:9-11. See
WCF 8.4;
WLC 51;
WSC 28;
BC 35.
Early Church history - Mark 16:20
This verse goes further into the history of the early Church than any of the other gospels. The preaching ministries of the disciples are elsewhere reported in the Book of Acts. In those reports they are carrying out the ministries to which Jesus had called them in Mark 1:17.
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