There are many commentaries that look and reflect on the short ending of Mark. I will say that much of the scholarship right now believes this to be the original ending. It’s not a mistake. It’s not negligent. It has a narrative purpose. This ending in particular is supposed to inspire the listener/reader/audience. So how do we lean into the discomfort of this short ending in Mark? Lean into the Discomfort “And they were afraid.” In other Gospels we get additional stories after this. In John we hear about Thomas and his doubts. In Luke we hear about the Road to Emmaus and Jesus walking along side two disciples that don’t recognize him until he breaks bread. In Matthew we hear the Great Commission, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” These Gospels have endings that feel like real endings. Endings that we’re used to and that we’re comfortable with. Like Luke and his Father defeating the emperor in Star Wars and the Rebels are able to destroy the Death Star and we see them gathered together to celebrate. Like Harry vanquishing Voldemort in one final duel and know that our three heroes, Harry, Hermione, and Ron, can finally just live. Like Matilda finally having a place to call home and a mother to love her. Like Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in every Nora Ephron movie finally falling in love at the end.   But Mark’s ending is different. “And they were afraid.” It’s a cliffhanger. Even in Greek, this is an odd final phrase. Technically, this is a complete sentence. So, it’s not exactly like the Sopranos when the series ended in the middle of a sentence. But it is still abrupt and concluding a sentence with γάρ (gar) – which could be translated as “for” or “because” – is certainly uncommon (although not unheard of). And yet, narratively, it’s the perfect ending. The Final Fleeing/Betrayal Throughout Mark’s Passion, Jesus has been left by those who should be the most trusting and faithful. I argue that it starts with Palm Sunday and the crowd (that has been following him throughout the region) leaving him before he arrives at the temple (11:11). Then the disciples flee after his arrest, including the certain disciple who flees naked (14:50-52). Then Peter denies him three times (14:66-72). And now, the final group of women that have been with him through it all and even stayed during the crucifixion and watch, fled because they were afraid (16:8).   We want to ease this tension. And so, we want to say, they fled in great awe or they fled with purpose. But that’s not exactly what’s being set up here by Mark. Mark is trying to inspire the audience (us) with a sense of urgency. The Messianic Secret Reversal Throughout all of Mark, whenever there is a healing or exorcism, Jesus commands the person to not say anything about it. But what does the person do? Immediately go and tell everyone about it! This is the great Messianic Secret. And all of the theological points around it are good. For example, Jesus hadn’t been crucified, so they couldn’t know what being the Messiah really meant. Or Jesus needed more time and couldn’t risk being arrested (like John the Baptist) too early. Or Jesus wanted them to focus on the restoration of community rather than the individual healings themselves. But no matter what Jesus said or how they said it, the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ and his works of healing and love could not be contained. Time and time and time again this happens in the Gospel of Mark. And now here, after the crucifixion, after the resurrection, and with a Divine proclamation to “Go and tell!” the women are silent, and they flee. Willi Marxsen describes this as the Messianic Secret Reversal, and it is for the purpose of evangelism.[1] Markan Context The greatest threat to the Gospel, the Good News, in the Markan context, was fear. Scholars debate whether Mark was written in the late 60s or early 70s, but it feels more likely to me that it is immediately after the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem. There is fear. Everywhere. Christians and Jews are terrified of the Roman Empire and their violence. There is tension and discord between the early Church and Jewish communities. Nero had just persecuted Christians on and off for the last 5-10 years. What is the greatest threat to the proclamation of the Gospel? Fear.