But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

MARK 16:7KJV
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What does Mark 16:7 mean?

Mark 16:7 tells the women at Jesus’s tomb to go and inform his disciples, especially Peter, that Jesus will go ahead of them to Galilee and they will see him there, just as he had promised. This verse highlights a message of hope and restoration after Jesus’s resurrection.

In this scene, an angel speaks to the women who have come to Jesus’s tomb and finds it empty. The angel instructs them to deliver a specific message to the disciples and singles out Peter by name, which is notable given Peter’s earlier denial of Jesus. The mention of Galilee points back to Jesus’s earlier words and assures the disciples that he will meet them again, fulfilling his promise.

The Greek behind Mark 16:7

  • "ἀπάγετε" (G5217, apagete, "go your way"): This word is a command, urging the women to leave quickly with a purpose, not just to depart but to carry out an important task.
  • "εἴπατε" (G2036, eipate, "tell"): This is another command, emphasizing the urgency and importance of delivering the message to the disciples.
  • "καὶ Πέτρῳ" (G2532, G4074, kai Petrō, "and Peter"): The Greek specifically singles out Peter, highlighting his inclusion and perhaps his need for reassurance after his denial.
  • "προάγει" (G4254, proagei, "goeth before"): This word often means to lead the way or go ahead, painting a picture of Jesus as a leader who is already waiting for them in Galilee.

Why Mark 16:7 matters

  • Mark 16:7 clears up any doubt about Peter’s place among the disciples after his denial, showing that he is still included in Jesus’s plans.
  • The verse emphasizes that Jesus’s resurrection is not the end but a new beginning, as he promises to meet his followers again.
  • Mark 16:7 connects back to Jesus’s earlier predictions and reassures the disciples that his words can be trusted, even after the trauma of the crucifixion.

Where else these words appear

“before” Greek G4254 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
  • Matthew 28:7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
  • Acts 12:6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

“see” Greek G3700 · used in 57 verses

  • Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
  • Luke 24:34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
  • Acts 16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

“Galilee” Greek G1056 · used in 62 verses

  • Matthew 2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
  • Mark 1:39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.
  • Luke 23:55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.

“way” Greek G5217 · used in 77 verses

  • Matthew 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
  • Mark 6:38 He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.
  • John 11:8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?