What does the women's reaction in Mark 16:8 teach about encountering the divine? Setting the Scene The women—Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome—arrive at the tomb expecting to anoint a dead body and instead find it empty, hear the angelic announcement of Jesus’ resurrection, and are thrust into an experience far beyond natural explanation. Reading the Verse “So the women left the tomb and ran away, trembling and bewildered. And in their fear they did not say a word to anyone.” (Mark 16:8) First Impressions: Overwhelmed by Glory • Trembling and bewildered: The resurrection is not merely surprising; it overturns every category of human expectation. • Physical reaction: Their bodies shake—evidence of the tangible impact divine events can have on mortal flesh (cf. Daniel 10:7–8). • Mental disorientation: “Bewildered” shows how the mind struggles to process supernatural reality (cf. Luke 24:4). Holy Fear: A Pattern in Scripture • Moses hid his face at the burning bush (Exodus 3:6). • Isaiah cried, “Woe is me” before God’s throne (Isaiah 6:5). • Peter fell at Jesus’ knees, saying, “I am a sinful man” (Luke 5:8). • John collapsed “as though dead” when he saw the risen Christ (Revelation 1:17). The women’s fear places them in this long line of saints whose first response to divine revelation is reverent dread. Speechless Silence: When Words Fail • “Did not say a word to anyone” underscores that genuine encounters with God can momentarily silence even the most fervent disciples. • Silence is not unbelief; it is the hush that precedes understanding (cf. Habakkuk 2:20). • God often begins transformation in the quiet inward space before testimony goes outward. Flight and Faith: Moving Forward in Uncertainty • They “ran away” yet still obey the angel’s directive by ultimately telling the disciples (Matthew 28:8). • Faith is sometimes expressed in motion before emotion settles. Obedience can occur while feelings lag behind. • The urgency of their movement mirrors the angel’s command: encounter produces mission. From Fear to Witness: What Happens Next • According to parallel accounts (Matthew 28:8–10; Luke 24:9), the women do speak—once initial shock subsides. • The shift from fearful silence to bold proclamation marks a divine pattern: God turns trembling followers into fearless witnesses (Acts 1:8). Lessons for Us Today • Expect awe: Genuine contact with God’s power may unsettle more than it comforts at first. • Revere, don’t rationalize: Holy fear is an appropriate response; it guards against reducing the miraculous to the manageable. • Silence has a place: Allow space for inward processing before outward speaking. • Move in obedience even while emotions swirl; God’s commands do not wait for perfect composure. • Trust the transition: The Lord who meets us in trembling will empower us to testify, just as He did for those first eyewitnesses of the empty tomb. |
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