“And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
This verse stands out to me because it is puzzling. Mark tells us that they [the ladies] were afraid. But he doesn’t tell us why they were afraid. Was it because of the man in white who told them not to be afraid? Was it because the tomb was already open? Was it because Jesus was already risen from the dead? While comparing Mark’s resurrection account with those of Matthew, Luke, and John, I think they were afraid because of the angel and the missing body.
First, here is what Matthew says about the angel: “And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing was white as snow” (Matthew 28:2-3).
Luke describes the angelic encounter this way: “While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.’” (Luke 24:4-7).
Luke’s description matches Mark’s, but Matthew adds this, “And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men” (Matthew 28:4).
If the soldiers were terrified of the angel, it seems reasonable to think the ladies were also frightened by him.
Second, the missing body seems to be alarming to Mary. Here is John’s description:
“So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him’” (John 20:2).
If I understand the chronology correctly, the angel already told her that Jesus had risen. Here is what Matthew said: “But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified’” (Matthew 28:5).
Luke’s account matches Matthew’s chronology. “While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise’” (Luke 24:4-7).
If he had risen from the dead, why would she assume “they” had taken his body anywhere? I’m guessing the trauma of the weekend, plus the early morning encounter with the angel(s), caused her mind and emotions to race.
At the same time, I’m reminded of the 4 times Mark tells us that Jesus told the disciples about his coming death and resurrection. Admittedly, the ladies were not necessarily there for all four, but in Mark’s account, the angel reminds the ladies that Jesus had said these things. This suggests that they would have been aware of the information.
“But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you” (Mark 16:7). So, why were they surprised?
Father, why is it easy for me to expect others to believe what you say, but challenging for me to believe what you say? Please help me to believe and obey all that you have said. Amen.