Significance of Ending At Verse 8
Some interpreters have concluded that Mark's intended readers already knew the traditions of Jesus' appearances, and that Mark brings the story to a close here to highlight the resurrection and leave anticipation of the parousia (Second Coming). Some have argued that this announcement of the resurrection and Jesus going to Galilee is the parousia (see also Preterism), but Raymond E. Brown argues that a parousia confined only to Galilee is improbable. Gospel writer Mark gives no description of the resurrected Jesus, perhaps because Mark did not want to try to describe the nature of the divine resurrected Jesus. Brown argues this ending is consistent with Mark's theology, where even miracles, such as the resurrection, do not produce the proper understanding or faith among Jesus' followers. Having the women run away afraid is contrasted in the reader's mind with Jesus' appearances and statements which help confirm the expectation, built up in 8:31, 9:31, 10:34, and Jesus' prediction during the Last Supper of his rising after his death. Richard Burridge argues that, in keeping with Mark's picture of discipleship, the question of whether it all comes right in the end is left open:
| “ | Mark's story of Jesus becomes the story of his followers, and their story becomes the story of the readers. Whether they will follow or desert, believe or misunderstand, see him in Galilee or remain staring blindly into an empty tomb, depends on us. | ” |
Burridge goes on to compare the ending of Mark to its beginning:
| “ | Mark's narrative as we have it now ends as abruptly as it began. There was no introduction or background to Jesus' arrival, and none for his departure. No one knew where he came from; no one knows where he has gone; and not many understood him when he was here. | ” |
On the other hand, if Mark had thought that his fellow Christians' memories of Peter's recollections about Jesus removed the need to make a definitive record of them, he would have had little reason to write his Gospel-account at all. It is understandable that a writer whose main source was Peter would not mention Jesus' birth or other events about which Peter was not likely to have known, but that does not explain why Mark would deliberately decline to describe Jesus' post-resurrection appearances and ascension, which are mentioned by Peter as described in the book of Acts.
Read more about this topic: Mark 16
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