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Gospel of Mark

Resurrection: Mark 16:1-8

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‘The resurrection is not the epilogue to the Gospels, it is the climax of the life of Christ.’   John Macarthur

16 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.[a]

Mark 16:1-8

Horsham: 26th January 2026

In my last post, I commented that in these last verses of his Gospel, Mark brings the women to centre stage. This is unusual in an account of events of this period, and it’s a great moment to remind ourselves that as far as we can tell, the source for Mark’s Gospel is the Apostle Peter. In these closing verses of Mark’s gospel, continue to be absolutely critical to the story.

Matthew tells us that many women who had been following Jesus were there at his death. Mark tells us that Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph were there as Joseph of Arimathea and his servants laid Jesus to rest in the tomb, sealing it with a large rock. The interesting thing is that this account seems to rely on the testimony of the women, who later told their story to Peter.  This is important because first century Palestine was a fiercely patriarchal society in which Jews rarely gave credence to women as witnesses. Yet it was the women who stood close to the dying Jesus, when Peter and the other disciples are either in hiding or keeping their distance, and it is the women who are recorded as the witnesses to the placing of Christ in the tomb.   

So here we are on the third day. The first people to visit the tomb are not the men who had sworn to stand with Christ even when he is faced with death. The first visitors are the women. With the men in hiding, we sense that the women are taking an extraordinary risk by approaching the grave. If we reflect on the account in all four Gospels, we might reasonably think that they have arranged to meet at the tomb in the early morning of Sunday, the third day. They come with expensive ointments and spices to adorn the body, not as a preservative, but as an entirely human act of love for Jesus. As they approach the tomb they are anxious, not as you might think about arrest, but about how they will move the rock which has sealed the tomb. 

John tells us that it is Mary Magdalene who arrives first, possibly alone. To her horror, she finds the tomb open. Someone, or something, has rolled the stone away.  Grave robbers were common, raiding tombs in search of valuables which might be left with the dead. Mary’s reaction is entirely reasonable – that the body of Jesus has been stolen. She rushes away to tell the disciples. Next to arrive are another group of women who are the first to venture inside the tomb and find it empty. By Mark’s account, which again can only originate from one of the women, there was a moment of confusion. They were perplexed, as well they might be. In that moment, like Mary before them, they can surely have but one thought, that someone has stolen the body. 

Then, something extraordinary happens. Stepping inside the tomb they are confronted by a young man sitting to one side where they would have expected to see the body of Jesus. ‘You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth. He has been raised; he is not here. Look – here is the place where they laid him. Go and tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see Him, just as he told you.’ (vv 6-7 NRSV). 

He has been raised. Resurrection.

End Piece
Mark’s Gospel ends at verse 8. Because we know more about his resurrection from the other Gospels, it seems a rather abrupt end. You will see in your Bible that there are 12 more verses, but you will almost certainly see a footnote which says that these verses do not appear in the oldest and most reliable manuscripts.

I will look at these extra verses in my next post, but for the moment, let’s regard verse 8 as the final verse of the Gospel. In that verse we see the women running from the tomb. In my English bible it says that they were running in fear and amazement. If we were watching a film, this ending would make us think that there is going to be a sequel. There is more to come.

The resurrection is indeed the climax of the life of Christ on earth. it is also the start point for the 40 days of resurrection during which Christ was seen by his disciples, and by many other followers of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:3-8).

The fact that Peter is the principal source for Mark makes this ending even ore special. The final action of Mark’s Gospel focuses not on the disciples, but on the women and their reaction to the missing body. The first people with the courage to visit the tomb, the first witnesses of his resurrection. The first people, in fear and amazement to bring the news of the resurrection of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. to the disciples, and to the world,  were the women.

For myself, I think that is a wonderful way for Mark to end his incredible story.

Richard Jackson, West Sussex

Gospel of Mark

Burial of Jesus: Mark 15:42-47

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As we come to the end of Chapter 15 of Mark’s Gospel, we arrive at the burial of Jesus. Look out for the courage and determination of the women who followed Jesus.

42 It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid

Mark 15:42-47

Horsham:20th January 2026
Joseph and Nicodemus

Matthew tells us that Joseph of Arimathea was a rich man, a member of the Sanhedrin. Mark says he was a prominent member of the Council. Importantly, Matthew describes him as a disciple of Jesus (Matthew 27:57-61).  We need to pause and take that in.

John tell us in some detail of a conversation between Jesus and another member of the Jewish Council of leaders, Nicodemus, just a few days earlier (John 1:1-21). 

We know tantalisingly little about Nicodemus and Joseph, but the appearance of Joseph at this point in the story is interesting in so many ways. It affirms that Jesus had sympathisers in the Sanhedrin. Luke says that he had not agreed with the plan to kill Jesus (Luke 23:51). Could it be that at least one voice was raised in defence of Jesus on that dreadful morning before his death. 

I’m wondering how many more unnamed people were in the background, supportive of Jesus, perhaps even openly.

Joseph approaches Pilate

For the Jews, the day started at 6pm. Jesus has died on the day of preparation for the sabbath, which will begin within a couple of hours. Joseph works fast.

Joseph takes a huge risk. Standing up in a very public way for Jesus after his death suggests a certain confidence in his actions. Pilate’s response to his request could have been very different.

Joseph went boldly to the Praetorium to seek audience with Pilate. The Roman governor is already angry with the Jewish leaders, yet he gives audience to Joseph.

John tells us that Nicodemus was also there to help with the recovery and burial of Jesus (John 19:38-41). Is it possible that this new grave had been dug and prepared by these rich supporters specifically with Jesus in mind (Wiersbe, p102). Who, after all, would build a tomb for their own use next to Golgotha?

Pilate releases the body

Some victims of crucifixion would suffer in agony for days. To die within 6 hours is unusual, and testament to the brutal treatment of Jesus in the hours before nailing him to the cross. The bodies of crucified criminals were normally discarded without ceremony, thrown on the rubbish heap or simply left to rot. It is suggested that Golgotha was so named because it was littered with the skulls of executed prisoners, picked clean by wild animals, feral dogs and birds. 

Pilate is surprised to hear that Jesus is already dead. Perhaps it is a reflection of his reluctance to execute Jesus that Pilate agrees to the release of the body. We should be in no doubt that Jesus was dead. They even pierced his side with a spear to make sure.

The body of Jesus of Nazareth is removed from the cross, wrapped in linen, and placed in Joseph’s tomb. The Sabbath, remember, starts at 6pm, and that moment is at hand. There is simply not enough time to properly wash and prepare the body. Christ is placed in the tomb and a large stone rolled against the opening.

‘There were also women..’

Mark has already mentioned the presence of the women at the cross. Others have left and turned their back on Jesus.  Even those disciples who had declared, no doubt with integrity, that they would stand by Jesus, are in hiding. But the women are still there.

It is the women who follow Joseph and his servants. It is women who see where he is laid. It is women who continue to follow Jesus.

The stone is rolled across the mouth of the grave. We might imagine that it is moments before 6pm. Joseph, his servants, the women and every other Jew rushes to their home to observe the sabbath.

End Piece

It’s so easy to overlook that at this, the most challenging and dangerous time for those who followed Jesus, the Gospel writers, who lived in a deeply patriarchal society, finally bring the women who followed Jesus to centre stage.

Witnessing the death of Jesus, Matthew says that there were many women (Matthew 27:55). The Greek word is pollai (πολλαὶ) and it literally means many, implying that there were almost certainly more women than those whose names appear in the texts.

It is John who tells us that first amongst the women is Mary, the mother of Jesus (John 19:25).

Matthew specifically mentions Mary, mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee (Matthew 27:56)  Mark highlights Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of Joses (Mark 15:47);  Luke mentions that women who had been followers of Jesus were there, and that some of them had travelled with Jesus from Galilee (Luke 23:55-26).  John specifically mentions the wife of Clopas (John 19:25).

And now, as Jesus is placed in the tomb, there are two women watching what is happening. Mary Magdalene and another Mary looked on, as Jesus was placed in the tomb (Matthew 27:61, Mark 15:47)

Where, we might ask, is Peter? James? John? Where are those brave disciples who, less than 24 hours ago, declared their readiness to die alongside Jesus?

‘Faithful women were the last at the cross on Friday and the first at the tomb on Sunday. What a contrast to the disciples, who had boasted that they would die for Him!. The Church of Jesus Christ owes much to the sacrifice and devotion of believing women.’ (Wiersbe, p181)

Richard Jackson, West Sussex

Gospel of Mark

Insults, Laughter and Tears at the Foot of the Cross: Mark 15:21-32

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21 A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. 22 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 23 Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.

25 It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. 26 The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews.

27 They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. [28] [a] 29 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 come down from the cross and save yourself!” 31 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! 32 Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

Mark 15:21-32

Horsham: 8th January 2026

People came to watch Jesus die.  Lots of people. Some stood and watched.  Some threw insults. Some laughed. Some wept. Some just passed by.

Golgotha is a dreadful place. This is not the first set of executions to take place here. The earth is discoloured with the blood and gore of many crucifixions. The stench is overwhelming. The stench of death. The kind of place where the birds don’t sing. To this place they come.

The Jokers
There are those who deliberately passed this way. They have gone out of their way to pass through a place they would normally take pains to avoid. They know who is being crucified. They have come to shout insults. Their insults are for the one whose cross carries the name ‘Jesus of Nazareth. King of the Jews.’ 

‘So, You who are going to destroy the Temple and re-build it in three days, come down off the cross and save yourself!’ There is laughter. They are here to throw insults at Jesus.

They are the jokers, who laughed at the foot of the cross of Christ.

The Chief Priests and Teachers
If you are looking for a Chief Priest or a teacher of the Law, Golgotha is not the place you would normally go. This is a place of filth. This place is unclean. Yet these men have come to make sure that the deed is seen through to the end. They are furious about the sign. They are the leaders of the Jews. This is not their King. 

They send word to demand that Pilate removes these words from the cross. An hour earlier, Pilate had wanted to release this Jesus, but they had insisted he be crucified. Against his instincts he allowed it to happen. He is in no mood to accept their petitions now. ‘What I have written, I have written.’

They hear the laughter of the jokers. They are inspired to join in with their own humour. ‘He saved others but he cannot save himself!’ More laughter. ‘He trusts God. Let God save Him!’ Hilarious. ‘Come down from the cross that we may see and believe.’ That’s not going to happen. That is not God’s plan.

They bring their own insults and throw them at Jesus. They are here to make sure that sentence is passed.

They are the Chief Priests and Teachers of the Law who believed that they experienced some kind of justice at the foot of the cross of Christ.

Thieves and Robbers
Two men accused of crimes. Maybe they were co-conspirators with Barabbas. They are in agony. They too have been beaten and paraded through the streets. They too are nailed to their own crosses. Dislocated shoulders. They are struggling for every breath. They are frightened – terrified. Tough, brutal men, reduced to this. In their desperation, they too heaped insults on Jesus (Matthew 27:44). But there was that moment when for one of them, the insults stopped. ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ I wonder whether he heard the response of Jesus ‘today, you will be with me in paradise.’ (Luke 23:43).

They are there to die. (He is numbered amongst the transgressors),

These are the thieves and robbers who suffered and died alongside the cross of Christ.

The Centurion
There was a centurion. Standing back. Watching. He’s seen it all before. He knows very little of these three condemned men, and cares less. His role is to make sure that the sentence is passed. To see that these men die on the cross. He is watching everyone as they come and go. Watching the reaction to that sign. Watching and listening. Listening as people threw their insults, laughed and wept as Jesus was dying on the cross.

He is there to ensure that Roman justice is delivered.

He is the Centurion, who watched, listened and waited at foot of the cross of Christ.

The Soldiers
Each prisoner had been guarded by a team of four soldiers on the road to Golgotha. For now, their job is done.  They are entitled to the condemned man’s clothes. Jesus has a good undergarment. Soldiers are soldiers. They see an opportunity to have some fun. Out come their gambling stones and they cast lots for the garment. They care nothing for the dying man. 

They are oblivious of the fact that their little game was predicted hundreds of years earlier. Oblivious to the role they have just played in history (Matthew 27:35; John 19:23-24, Psalm 22:18).

These are the soldiers of Rome who drew lots at the foot of the cross of Christ.  

The Disciples
The disciples had sworn to stand with Jesus whatever happened.  Last night, less than 12 hours earlier, they ran for cover as Jesus was arrested. Where were they now? 

At least one of them was there, possibly more. There had been that extraordinary moment when Jesus asks John to look after his mother. In obedience to Christ, John takes Mary into his household. (John 19:27). Were there others, hiding in plain sight, mixing with the crowd? 

These are the Disciples, who tried to make themselves invisible at the foot of the cross of Christ.

The Women
This was no place for women, yet they always came when it was their man on the cross. Mary, mother of Jesus, helpless, in utter despair, watching her son die. Mary Magdalene was there. And another Mary, the wife of Clopas (John 19:25). There were probably others too, to stand with the mother of Jesus and to comfort each other (Matthew 27:55-56).

They are overwhelmed with grief and helplessness. Forced to listen to the ultimate insults being thrown at Jesus.

These are the women who loved Jesus and wept at the foot of the cross of Christ.

End Piece

Of course, there were others, hundreds – even thousands – in Jerusalem who knew that something horrific was taking place at Golgotha and deliberately stayed away. They didn’t want to take the risk of being anywhere nearby. After all, they were in Jerusalem to worship God. Better, they thought, to ignore it. Carry on as if nothing was happening.

Challenge yourself. Something ghastly and completely unjustified is going on. You don’t need to look far in this world to find an example. 

Where do you stand in the crowd? 

Insults. Laughter. Tears. Maybe it’s best to simply look the other way.

Richard Jackson, West Sussex

Contemplative

Easter 2023 (1 Corinthians 15:14)

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So, this is Easter Sunday. Easter is the point in the Christian calendar where we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Resurrection from the dead. Jesus died. Jesus was buried. Jesus rose again. The empty cross. Game changer. (1 Corinthians 15:14)

As a brother of two sisters, a husband, and as the father of two very intelligent daughters, it saddens me more than I can say that in the 21st Century, too many people continue to be ready to think of  women as sort of second class. Actually, it makes me angry.

I suppose that I shouldn’t be surprised. World history and culture are mainly patriarchal. In spite of some small steps forwards, misogyny has been, and sadly remains, deeply embedded in our culture and society. Progress is painful and slow. It doesn’t make it any easier, and it certainly doesn’t justify the issue, that this is actually a universal, global, and institutional problem.

Of course, I have always tried to value women in my life. My family. My friends. My colleagues. But I am a man.  There have been lots of times when I could, and should, have done better.  Times when I should have done things differently. I can’t get away from the fact that there have been times when I have almost certainly perpetuated the culture.  Even today, I am a work in progress.

The real sadness is that this is still a big issue in lots of UK Churches. Too often,  women are sidelined. Their activities are controlled.  There are jobs which they are expected to do. There are jobs which they are not expected to do. Within a few miles from my office there are several Churches where women would not be allowed to speak openly, and certainly not to preach or lead worship. There is at least one Church where a woman could not lead a Bible study. There are Churches where the female voice is not encouraged.

For most of her career, my wife was a Christian Children’s worker and Director, working with Churches of many denominations and has been invited to preach in many Churches.  Our local Anglican Church is led by a Rector who is a mother, leader and teacher. The Church is in a corner of the Diocese where the Bishop is a  strong and influential woman. A few years ago that would have been unthinkable. These small steps have been hard won over generations, and there is still so far to go.

To some people (men),  it might sound like I’m on some kind of feminist rant. Relax.  By most definitions, I am genetically prohibited from being a feminist.  So perhaps you might describe it as some kind of guilt trip. A personal apology for my own already confessed contribution to male dominance in our society. It’s not that either.

Here’s what is actually going on.

Like lots of people, I read the Easter story in all four Gospels this morning. As ever, I hoped that God would speak to me through His Word. He often does. The thing that hit me powerfully this morning was that in each account,  as with the news of his pending birth, the first people to recognise what was going on were women. That was no accident. That was deliberate.

I look at the Church, which has had huge historical impact in establishing our cultural norms across society, and I look at the place of women in our world, and as  Christian, I wonder how we ever got to where we are. Generations of Christian men have, after all, taught that Jesus is the example we should follow.

So, this is Easter. And here I am reflecting on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The moment when everything changed. Here I am recognising that in His life, and in His resurrection, Jesus demonstrated that He valued women every bit as much as men. Possibly even more.  Game changer.