And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
What does Mark 16:15 mean?
The evidences of the truth of the gospel are so full, that those who receive it not, may justly be upbraided with their unbelief.
Key themes
Read with
Keep this verse inside Mark 16:14-18 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Mark 16:15
Into all the world - To the Gentiles as well as the Jews. It was contrary to the opinions of the Jews that the Gentiles should be admitted to the privileges of the Messiah's kingdom, or that the partition wall between them should be broken down. See Acts 22:21-22 . It was long before the disciples could be trained to the belief that the gospel was to be preached to all men; and it was only by special revelation, even after this command, that Peter preached to the Gentile centurion, Acts 10 ; Jesus has graciously ordered that the preaching of the gospel shall be stopped by no barriers. Wherever there is man, there it is to be proclaimed.
Key words
- them
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And he said unto them,.
- preach
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And preach the Gospel to every creature; not to inanimate and irrational creatures, as stocks and stones, the beasts of the field, &c.
- creature
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And preach the Gospel to every creature; not to inanimate and irrational creatures, as stocks and stones, the beasts of the field, &c.
Context in Mark 16
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Mark 16 belongs to the closing movement of the book, especially the section often described as passion and resurrection. Mark is the swiftest and starkest Gospel, presenting Jesus as the mighty Son of God whose mission reaches its center in suffering, abandonment, and resurrection. Read this chapter with the wider themes of discipleship, the cross, and secrecy in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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Passages on trusting God, receiving Christ, persevering without sight, and the relation between faith and lived obedience.
Bible verses about suffering and trials
Key passages on grief, endurance, lament, divine mystery, and the Christian claim that suffering is neither final nor meaningless.
Passages on the nature of truth, honesty, deception, the word of God as truth, and Jesus' claim to be the truth.