When he had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. After this he appeared in another form to two of them walking along on their way to the country. They returned and told the others; but they did not believe them either. (But) later, as the eleven were at table, he appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised. He said to them, "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. (Mk 16:9-15)
Mark gives a summary statement of the resurrection appearances. Even though he does not give a summary of all the appearances, yet he gives the important ones. The first witness is always a woman. It is interesting that the person who receives the revelation always goes to the other disciples to communicate. Similarly the two disciples who were on their way, they too rushed back and reported. Those who receive the revelation always reported to the others.
This communication is always received with disbelief. Reports are never accepted. The disciples began to believe only when they themselves have had the revelation. Disbelief seemed have been the trade mark of the disciples. Is this the way of writing to include another revelation? However there were many revelations and every revelation was preceded by a non-belief from the disciples. Jesus obliged them every time but rebuked them always.
The final commandment of Jesus was to go and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Since salvation is to every creature the proclamation of the gospel is also to every creature. What is the gospel that the disciples have to proclaim? In the context it has to be the resurrection of Jesus. The gospel is also the kingdom which is established in Jesus. The gospel is also the forgiveness for those who repent. The basis of all the gospels is the resurrection of Jesus.
