The Book of Mark is one of those enigmas in the Bible. Heresy!, you say? Not really, even the ancient fathers of the Christian faith all knew of the problem ...
From verse 9 on, the entire remainder of Mark, was an addition.
We know if came out of the Eastern Church, some even think they know the abbey/monastery which did it.
However, in the Greek, the text ends in verse 8 with the word, "Gar" or "For" in English ... for what, for whom, "for"!!!!!?????
Something was lost, but it certainly was not what we know as verse 9 today .....
Read Mark 16:1-8
So, the cross is the end of Peter's story told to Mark?
Is there more?
Well, really verses 1 through 8 have quite a bit to think about
Women Were The Witnesses
In their culture women could not testify to anything!
Anything they say they saw was instantly suspect.
They were the worst possible witness to the Resurrection!
Yet, they were ...
The Resurrection Is Confirmed
The women were told by an angel.
Who looked like a man in white clothing.
Who announced what has happened.
Forgiveness Is Extended
Well, that was the point of Jesus death and resurrection!
Fear
The women reacted in fear.
The angel appeared to be a guy.
The angel was not Jesus!
This is generally how real people, whom have seen an angel, react that I know of -
all others are suspect in my mind!
The Ending
Is open.
It is unfinished.
This is now the time of the Gentiles being extended forgiveness.
Not to the exclusion of the Jew however - Jesus came for them first and foremost!
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