Mark 16:9 (KJV)

What does Mark 16:9 mean?

Mark 16:9 says that Jesus rose from the dead early on the first day of the week and first appeared to Mary Magdalene, a woman from whom he had previously cast out seven demons. This verse highlights Mary Magdalene as the first person to see the risen Jesus.

Mark 16:9 is describing the moment after Jesus’s resurrection, focusing on who witnessed him alive first. The verse points out Mary Magdalene’s unique role and her past experience of being freed from seven "devils" (meaning evil spirits or demons) by Jesus. This sets the stage for the following verses, which recount the earliest encounters with the risen Jesus.

The Greek behind Mark 16:9

• The word for "risen" is ἀνίστημι (anistēmi), which often means to stand up or rise. Here, it refers to Jesus coming back to life, emphasizing the physical reality of the resurrection.
• The word for "devils" is δαιμόνιον (daimonion), which means evil spirits or demons, not "devils" in the sense of Satan, but rather spiritual beings that troubled people.
• The phrase "first day of the week" uses σαββάτου (sabbatou), which literally means "Sabbath" but is used in Greek to refer to the week, so "the first of the Sabbath" means Sunday.
• The verb "appeared" is φαίνω (phainō), which means to become visible or to show oneself, indicating that Jesus was seen in a real, visible way by Mary Magdalene.

Why Mark 16:9 matters

• Mark 16:9 clears up that Mary Magdalene was the first person to see Jesus after his resurrection, highlighting her important role in the resurrection story.
• The verse emphasizes that Jesus’s resurrection happened on the first day of the week, which is why Christians gather on Sunday.
• By mentioning that Jesus had cast out seven demons from Mary Magdalene, the verse shows her transformation and the depth of her relationship with Jesus, which may explain why she was present at this crucial moment.