Mark 16:8
And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ταχὺ
quickly
G5035
ταχὺ
quickly
Strong's:
G5035
Word #:
3 of 19
shortly, i.e., without delay, soon, or (by surprise) suddenly, or (by implication, of ease) readily
ἔφυγον
and fled
G5343
ἔφυγον
and fled
Strong's:
G5343
Word #:
4 of 19
to run away (literally or figuratively); by implication, to shun; by analogy, to vanish
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
5 of 19
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μνημείου
the sepulchre
G3419
μνημείου
the sepulchre
Strong's:
G3419
Word #:
7 of 19
a remembrance, i.e., cenotaph (place of interment)
εἶχεν
they trembled
G2192
εἶχεν
they trembled
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
8 of 19
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
αὐτὰς
G846
αὐτὰς
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 19
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔκστασις·
were amazed
G1611
ἔκστασις·
were amazed
Strong's:
G1611
Word #:
13 of 19
a displacement of the mind, i.e., bewilderment, "ecstasy"
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οὐδὲν
any thing
G3762
οὐδὲν
any thing
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
15 of 19
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
οὐδὲν
any thing
G3762
οὐδὲν
any thing
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
16 of 19
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
Historical Context
Textual criticism debates whether Mark intended to end at v.8 or whether the original ending was lost. Verses 9-20 appear in later manuscripts but differ stylistically. Many scholars see v.8 as Mark's deliberate ending—raw, unpolished, leaving readers confronting the resurrection's terrifying joy. Early Christians faced this same fear preaching a crucified and risen Lord.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does genuine encounter with the resurrection produce fear alongside joy?
- How does Mark's abrupt ending challenge comfortable, triumphalistic faith?
- Have you ever been so overwhelmed by God's work that words failed—and what did that teach you?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
They fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed (ἔφυγον ἀπὸ τοῦ μνημείου, εἶχεν γὰρ αὐτὰς τρόμος καὶ ἔκστασις, ephygon apo tou mnēmeiou, eichen gar autas tromos kai ekstasis)—tromos (trembling) and ekstasis (ecstatic astonishment) capture holy terror before the supernatural. Neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid—most ancient manuscripts end Mark here abruptly at φοβοῦντο γάρ ("for they were afraid"), creating interpretive challenges.
This shocking ending fits Mark's theme: following Jesus leads not to triumphalism but to awe, fear, and mystery. The women's silence wasn't disobedience but being overwhelmed—the good news was too great to process immediately. Mark's original readers knew the story didn't end here (the gospel itself proves the news spread!), but the abrupt finale forces reflection on how we respond to resurrection reality.