And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

MARK 16:15KJV
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Mark 16:15 (KJV)

What does Mark 16:15 mean?

Mark 16:15 describes Jesus sending his followers to take the good news beyond their own surroundings. Their task is to announce that message throughout the world, with no group of people excluded from hearing it.

Jesus speaks to the eleven remaining disciples, after rebuking them for not believing reports that he had risen. The phrase “every creature” gives the command a sweeping reach; in this setting, the announcement is addressed to people.

The Greek behind Mark 16:15

  • “preach” — κηρύσσω (kēryssō): The word carries the sense of announcing or proclaiming a message publicly. It pictures the disciples acting as people sent to make an announcement.
  • “gospel” — εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion): The word means “good news.” It identifies what the disciples are to announce, rather than simply telling them to speak.
  • “creature” — κτίσις (ktisis): The word can refer to creation or to what has been created. The KJV’s “every creature” expresses the breadth of the audience in a striking way.

Why Mark 16:15 matters

  • The command reaches beyond the disciples’ immediate community. “All the world” sets a broad horizon for their travels and announcement.
  • The message remains central as the passage continues. Verse 20 says the disciples went out and preached, connecting Jesus’ instruction with their response.
  • The verse belongs to a passage with an important history in surviving copies of Mark. Many early manuscripts end at Mark 16:8, while the KJV includes verses 9–20.

Where else these words appear

“creature” Greek G2937 · used in 19 verses

  • Mark 10:6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.
  • Romans 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
  • Colossians 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

“all” Greek G537 · used in 43 verses

  • Matthew 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
  • Luke 8:37 Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.
  • Acts 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

“preach” Greek G2784 · used in 60 verses

  • Matthew 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
  • Mark 13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
  • Romans 2:21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?

“gospel” Greek G2098 · used in 74 verses

  • Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
  • 1 Corinthians 9:12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
  • Philippians 1:5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;