Bible Commentary

Mark 16:5

The Pulpit Commentary on Mark 16:5

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

And entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, arrayed in a white robe; and they were amazed. They enter the tomb, the expression "tomb" including the ante-chamber They see that the stone has been rolled back, so as to expose the entrance into the place where Jesus had lain.

On that stone a young man was sitting. The angel peared in the form of a young man, because youth indicates the vigor, the beauty, and the strength of angels. The good angels always appear in beauty and comeliness of form.

There will be no deformity in heaven. The angel appeared as arrayed in a white robe. This white robe, or talar indicated a heavenly spiritual being. St. Matthew () says that "his countenance was like lightning," flashing with splendor, and his raiment was as white as snow.

It may be that he appeared more terrible to the keepers (), and that he abated something of his dazzling brightness when he appeared to the women; but "they were affrighted" ( ἐξεθαμβήθησαν); literally, they were amazed.

Amazement was the dominant feeling, though probably not unmingled with fear.

Recommended reading

More for Mark 16:5

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Matthew Henry on Mark 16:1-8Mark 16:1-8 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryNicodemus brought a large quantity of spices, but these good women did not think that enough. The respect others show to Christ, should not hinder us from showing our respect. And those who are carried by holy zeal, to…The Women at the Sepulchre; The Apostles ReprovedMark 16:1-8 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleTHE WOMEN AT THE SEPULCHRE; THE APOSTLES REPROVED. Never was there such a sabbath since the sabbath was first instituted as this was, which the first words of this chapter tell us was now past; during all this sabbath o…The Pulpit Commentary on Mark 16:1-20Mark 16:1-20 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITIONThe Pulpit Commentary on Mark 16:1-8Mark 16:1-8 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe empty sepulcher. In this passage there is no direct narrative of the Savior's resurrection. The evangelist probably tells what, and only what, he had heard from credible and well-known witnesses. There were no such…The Pulpit Commentary on Mark 16:1-14Mark 16:1-14 · The Pulpit CommentaryResurrection proofs. The last days of the manifestation of God in Christ were signalized by a great deprivation and a great recovery. A life beyond the dread confines of the grave completed the cycle of wonders associat…The Pulpit Commentary on Mark 16:1-18Mark 16:1-18 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe Resurrection. In the early dawn—"at the rising of the sun" on the morning after the sabbath—that one most wondrous sabbath, the last of the old series—hasty feet were hurrying to the sepulcher. They were those of Ma…
commentaryMatthew Henry on Mark 16:1-8Nicodemus brought a large quantity of spices, but these good women did not think that enough. The respect others show to Christ, should not hinder us from showing our respect. And those who are carried by holy zeal, to…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Women at the Sepulchre; The Apostles ReprovedTHE WOMEN AT THE SEPULCHRE; THE APOSTLES REPROVED. Never was there such a sabbath since the sabbath was first instituted as this was, which the first words of this chapter tell us was now past; during all this sabbath o…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Mark 16:1-18Parallel passages: Matthew 28:1-15; Luke 24:1-49; John 20:1-23.— An eventful day. I. THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST. 1. The morning of our Lord's resurrection. The first day of the week on which the events recorded in this…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Mark 16:1-14Resurrection proofs. The last days of the manifestation of God in Christ were signalized by a great deprivation and a great recovery. A life beyond the dread confines of the grave completed the cycle of wonders associat…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Mark 16:1-18The Resurrection. In the early dawn—"at the rising of the sun" on the morning after the sabbath—that one most wondrous sabbath, the last of the old series—hasty feet were hurrying to the sepulcher. They were those of Ma…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Mark 16:1-20EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Mark 16:1-8The empty sepulcher. In this passage there is no direct narrative of the Savior's resurrection. The evangelist probably tells what, and only what, he had heard from credible and well-known witnesses. There were no such…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Mark 16:1-8The sepulcher. I. SELF-REWARDING LOVE. The women obey the longing to serve, though they know not how. Of love it is said, "All other pleasures are not worth its pains." In lavishing care upon the remains of one beloved,…Joseph S. Exell and contributors