The Meaning of Mark 16:12 Explained

Mark 16:12

KJV: After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.

YLT: And after these things, to two of them, as they are going into a field, walking, he was manifested in another form,

Darby: And after these things he was manifested in another form to two of them as they walked, going into the country;

ASV: And after these things he was manifested in another form unto two of them, as they walked, on their way into the country.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

After  that  he appeared  in  another  form  unto two  of  them,  as they walked,  and went  into  the country. 

What does Mark 16:12 Mean?

Context Summary

Mark 16:1-20 - The Power Of His Resurrection
In the dim light the women brave the dangers of an Eastern city and hasten to the grave. How often we seek Christ in the grave of old experiences or of dead and empty rites; and how often we cherish fears for which there is no occasion! In the grave where Christ had lain a young man was sitting, arrayed in a glistening robe; so out of death comes life. And one result of the Savior's resurrection has been that myriads of noble youths, clothed in garments of purity, have gone forth to shine like the dewdrops of the morning sparkling on the bosom of the earth. God's angels are always young. We who are the children of the Resurrection in the life of eternity will grow always younger, as here our bodies are ever growing older. The ministry of Galilee and Jerusalem is at an end, but the spirit of the Master goes forth to new victories in the Acts of the Apostles. Note the mighty power of faith, the signs that follow its manifestation in simplicity and purity; demons cannot resist it, serpents are rendered harmless, and healing streams flow from contact with it. Let us keep our eyes fixed on the risen Christ sitting at the right hand of God, and believe that he is ever working by our side and confirming our words, Hebrews 2:4 [source]

Chapter Summary: Mark 16

1  An Angel declares the resurrection of Jesus to three women
9  Jesus himself appears to Mary Magdalene;
12  to two going into the country;
14  then to the apostles;
15  whom he sends forth to preach the gospel;
19  and ascends into heaven

Greek Commentary for Mark 16:12

After these things [μετα ταυτα]
Only here in Mark. Luke tells us that it was on the same day (Luke 24:13). [source]
In another form [εν ετεραι μορπηι]
It was not a μεταμορπωσις — metamorphōsis or transfiguration like that described in Mark 9:2. Luke explains that their eyes were holden so that they could not recognize Jesus (Luke 24:16). This matchless story appears in full in Luke 24:13-32. [source]
After these things [μετά ταῦτα]
An expression never used by Mark. [source]
Another form [ἑτέρᾳ μορφῇ]
More correctly, a different form. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Mark 16:12

Matthew 17:2 He was transfigured [μετεμορφώθη]
μετά , denoting change or transfer, and μορφή , form. This latter word denotes the form regarded as the distinctive nature and character of the object, and is distinguished from σχῆμα , the changeable, outward fashion: in a man, for instance, his gestures, clothes, words, acts. The μορφή partakes of the essence of a thing; the σχῆμα is an accident which may change, leaving the form unaffected. Compare Mark 16:12; Christ “appeared in another form ” ( μορφή )and 1 Corinthians 7:31: “the fashion ( σχῆμα ) of the world passeth away.” The distinction passes into the verbs compounded with these two nouns. Thus, Romans 12:2, “Be not conformed to this world,” is μὴ συσχηματίζεσθε ;i.e., be not fashioned according to the fleetingfashion of this world. So Rev.,fashioned. See, also, 2 Corinthians 11:13, 2 Corinthians 11:14, 2 Corinthians 11:15, where the changes described are changes in outward semblance. False apostles appeared in the outward fashion of apostles of Christ; Satan takes on the outward appearance of an angel. All these changes are in the accidents of the life, and do not touch its inner, essential quality. On the other hand, a change in the inner life is described as a change of μορθή , never of σχῆμα . Hence, Romans 12:2, “Be ye transformed ( μεταμορφοῦσθε )the change taking place by the renewing of the mind. Compare Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philemon 3:21; and see, further, on Philemon 2:6, Philemon 2:7. Why, then, it may be asked, is a compound of μορφή employed in this description of the transfigured Saviour, since the change described is a change in his outward appearance? It may be answered, because a compound of σχῆμα , expressing merely a change in the aspect of Christ's person and garments, would not express the deeper truth of the case, which is, that the visible change gets its real character and meaning from that which is essential in our Lord - his divine nature. A fore-shadowing or prophecy of his true form - his distinctive character - comes out in his transfiguration. He passes over into a form identified, so far as revealed, with the divine quality of his being, and prophetic of his revelation “as he is” (1 John 3:2), in the glory which he had with the Father before the world was (John 17:5). In truth, there is a deep and pregnant hint in the use of this word, which easily escapes observation, and which defies accurate definition. The profound and overwhelming impression upon the three disciples was due to something besides the shining of Christ's face and garments, and the presence of Moses and Elijah; and was deeper and subtler than the effect of all these combined. There was a fact and a power in that vision which mere radiance and the appearance of the dead patriarchs could not wholly convey: a revelation of Deity breaking out in that glorified face and form, which appealed to something deeper than sense, and confirmed the words from heaven: This is my beloved Son. The same truth is illustrated in the use of μορφή in Mark 16:12, where it is said that Jesus appeared in a different form ( ἐν ἑτέρᾳ μορφῇ ) after his resurrection. The accidents of figure, face, pierced hands and feet, were the same; but an indefinable change had passed upon him, the characteristic of which was that it prefigured his passing into the condition peculiar and appropriate to his essential spiritual and divine being. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]

Matthew 17:2 He was transfigured before them [μετεμορπωτη εμπροστεν αυτων]
The word is the same as the metamorphoses (cf. Ovid) of pagan mythology. Luke does not use it. The idea is change It really presents the essence of a thing as separate from the σχημα — schēma (fashion), the outward accident. So in Romans 12:2 Paul uses both verbs, συνσχεματιζεστε — sunschematizesthe (be not fashioned) and μεταμορπουστε — metamorphousthe (be ye transformed in your inner life). So in 1 Corinthians 7:31 σχημα — schēma is used for the fashion of the world while in Mark 16:12 μορπη — morphē is used of the form of Jesus after his resurrection. The false apostles are described by μετασχηματισομαι — metaschēmatisomai in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15. In Philemon 2:6 we have εν μορπηι — en morphēi used of the Preincarnate state of Christ and μορπην δουλου — morphēn doulou of the Incarnate state (Philemon 2:7), while σχηματι ως αντρωπος — schēmati hōs anthrōpos emphasizes his being found “in fashion as a man.” But it will not do in Matthew 17:2 to use the English transliteration μεταμορπωσις — metamorphōsis because of its pagan associations. So the Latin transfigured (Vulgate transfiguratus est) is better. “The deeper force of μεταμορπουσται — metamorphousthai is seen in 2 Corinthians 3:18 (with reference to the shining on Moses‘ face), Romans 12:2 ” (McNeile). The word occurs in a second-century papyrus of the pagan gods who are invisible. Matthew guards against the pagan idea by adding and explaining about the face of Christ “as the sun” and his garments “as the light.” [source]
Mark 16:10 Went [πορευθεῖσα]
So in Mark 16:12, Mark 16:15. Went, go. This verb for to go occurs nowhere else in this Gospel except in compounds. [source]
Mark 16:10 Went [πορευτεισα]
First aorist passive participle. Common word for going, but in Mark so far only in Mark 9:30 in the uncompounded form. Here also in Mark 16:12, Mark 16:15.Them that had been with him (τοις μετ αυτου γενομενοις — tois met' autou genomenois). This phrase for the disciples occurs here alone in Mark and the other Gospels if the disciples (ματηται — mathētai) are meant. All these items suggest another hand than Mark for this closing portion.As they mourned and wept Present active participles in dative plural agreeing with τοις γενομενοις — tois ̇̇̇ genomenois and describing the pathos of the disciples in their utter bereavement and woe. [source]
John 21:1 Shewed [ἐφανέρωσεν]
This rendering might easily convey merely the sense of appearing; but its meaning is much deeper. Occurring frequently in the New Testament, it is used most frequently of God and Christ, or of men in their relation to these. Thus, of Christ in person while upon earth (Mark 16:12, Mark 16:14; John 1:31; John 2:11; 1 Peter 1:20; 1 John 1:2). Of the works of Christ (John 2:11; John 9:3; 1 John 3:5). Of Christ in redemption (1 John 3:5). Of Christ in His second coming (1 John 2:28). Of Christ in glory (1 John 3:2; Colossians 3:4). It is used of God. Of His revelation to men of the knowledge of Himself (Romans 1:19). Of His manifestation in Christ (1 Timothy 3:16). Of His righteousness (Romans 3:21). Of His love (1 John 4:9). It is used of men. As epistles manifesting the character and spirit of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:11). In the judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10). In all these cases the appearing is not merely an appeal to sense, but is addressed to spiritual perception, and contemplates a moral and spiritual effect. It is the setting forth of the law or will or character of God; of the person or work of Christ; of the character or deeds of men, with a view to the disclosure of their quality and to the producing of a moral impression. Rev., manifested. [source]

What do the individual words in Mark 16:12 mean?

After now these things to two of them as they are walking He appeared in another form going into [the] country
Μετὰ δὲ ταῦτα δυσὶν ἐξ αὐτῶν περιπατοῦσιν ἐφανερώθη ἐν ἑτέρᾳ μορφῇ πορευομένοις εἰς ἀγρόν

Μετὰ  After 
Parse: Preposition
Root: μετά  
Sense: with, after, behind.
δὲ  now 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
ταῦτα  these  things 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
δυσὶν  to  two 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: δύο 
Sense: the two, the twain.
περιπατοῦσιν  as  they  are  walking 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: περιπατέω  
Sense: to walk.
ἐφανερώθη  He  appeared 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: φανερόω  
Sense: to make manifest or visible or known what has been hidden or unknown, to manifest, whether by words, or deeds, or in any other way.
ἑτέρᾳ  another 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀλλοιόω 
Sense: the other, another, other.
μορφῇ  form 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: μορφή  
Sense: the form by which a person or thing strikes the vision.
πορευομένοις  going 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: πορεύομαι  
Sense: to lead over, carry over, transfer.
εἰς  into 
Parse: Preposition
Root: εἰς  
Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
ἀγρόν  [the]  country 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀγρός  
Sense: land.

What are the major concepts related to Mark 16:12?

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