16:8 afraid. If vv. 9–20 are not original (see below), then the Gospel of Mark ends with this sentence. This would be a surprising conclusion for a document that purports to be a “gospel,” a proclamation of “good news.” An opposing consideration is that the word translated “afraid” also means “reverential fear,” and the same state of mind is produced in the disciples at the sight of Jesus’ Transfiguration (9:6), a type of the future resurrection. But the women’s initial silence was really disobedience (v. 7).