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The story of Jesus' burial certifies the reality of the Crucifixion account: Jesus is dead. Joseph appears here for the first time and is notable for his willingness to associate himself with the crucified Jesus. Did he recognize the centrality of the Cross to the realization of God’s kingdom? Originally the gospel of Mark probably ended with v.8 (see Lane, 601-5). The NIV (like many other English translations) includes 16:9-20, though it notes that “most reliable early manuscripts and other ancient witnesses” do not include these verses. They are only loosely related to the Gospel as a whole and, more interestingly, do not even show how the women of v.8 overcame their fear in order to deliver their message. Instead, these verses seem to borrow material from the appearance and commissioning stories of Matthew, Luke, and John—an attempt by a later scribe to give the Gospel of Mark an ending more in keeping with its companion Gospels.
Nevertheless, even given the more probable conclusion of Mark’s Gospel with 16:8, all of the necessary details are present. According to the story, the women expected no resurrection; they came to anoint a corpse and even wondered among themselves how they might obtain access to the tomb. The young man they encounter (1) announces the Resurrection (“He has risen!”), (2) provides proof of Jesus' absence from the tomb (“See the place where they laid him”), and (3) commissions the women (“Go, tell. . . !”). The fear of the women appears to jeopardize their mission, but the story is written in such a way as to recall Jesus' promise in 14:28 and to anticipate the restoration of the disciples in Galilee. In concluding his story of Jesus so abruptly, Mark calls upon his readers, too, to believe the Gospel and take upon themselves this commission to proclaim God’s good news.