GOSPEL READING
THE GOSPEL OF MARK
The Women and the Tomb: Mk 15,40-16,8
As we saw in the overview, the key to this final part of Mark's Gospel is provided by the presence of the women. What do the women see in the two scenes?
How have women appeared in the Gospel thus far? See for example 5,25 or 6,25 (and by contrast, 6,17). How are these women described in 15,40; 15,47 and 16,1? Who are missing from this scene (see 14,50) and who does not make an appearance?
What is unexpected about this prominence of women at this stage of the story?
The women and the burial of Jesus: 15,40-47
The women are introduced in verse 40 as we have seen. How is this introduction filled out in verse 41 (see Acts 1,21-22)?
How is the time in verse 42 (see Dt 21,22-23)?
How is Joseph of Arimathea described in verse 43? Why he is being bold in approaching Jesus with a request for the body of Jesus?
Why is Pilate puzzled at the request, needing the centurion's confirmation? What is the implications for the Gospel? Do you have a translation which uses different words for "body" in verses 43 and 45? Compare with Mt 27,58.
What is missing in verse 46 (see 16,1 and Jn 19,39-40)? We can note at this point that the story appears complete, the tomb is now closed with a stone verse 46, duly observed by the women (verse 47).
A look at my response would be useful at this point.
The women and the resurrection of Jesus: 16,1-8
In 16,1, with the sabbath over in the evening, the women go to buy spices. Why is this a bit strange (Jn 11,39) and what does it indicate?
What are the implications of the references to time in 16,2? Compare with Jn 20,1.
How is the drama being played out in verse 2-4? Note how the stone of 15,46 has changed in 16,4.
What do they do in verse 5 and what might they have done. Note their reaction to the young man.
For the young man, look at 14,51-52. See Romans 16,1-5. For his white garment,see Apoc 3,5. Many consider this young man to be an angel, see Mt 28,2. Reference is made, for example, to Judges 13,2-6.
Who does the young man say the women are seeking? What has happened? As so often it helps to compare the translations as there are two possibilities. What is the evidence provided by the young man?
What then follows in verse 7? What is now the role of the women? What is the significance of returning to Galilee (14,28)?
What has been said by the women since verse 5? What then are we to make of verse 8? Consider for example 8,21 and 14,50. Think perhaps of how Mark's community would have heard this.
Look now at my response.
We can now make a few more comments about chapter 16 as we end our reading of this Gospel.