Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
When he had risen early on the first day of the week (anastav prw prwth sabbatou). It is probable that this note of time goes with "risen" (anastav), though it makes good sense with "appeared" (efanh). Jesus is not mentioned by name here, though he is clearly the one meant. Mark uses mia in verse Mark 16:2, but prwth in Mark 14:12 and the plural sabbatwn in verse Mark 16:2, though the singular here.
First (prwton). Definite statement that Jesus
appeared (efanh) to Mary Magdalene first of all. The verb efanh (second aorist passive of fainw) is here alone of the Risen Christ (cf. Eleiav efanh, Luke 9:8), the usual verb being wfqh (Luke 24:34; I Corinthians 15:5 ff.).
From whom (par hv). Only instance of para with the casting out of demons, ek being usual (Mark 1:25-26; Mark 5:8; Mark 7:26, Mark 7:29; Mark 9:25). Ekbeblhkei is past perfect indicative without augment. This description of Mary Magdalene is like that in Luke 8:2 and seems strange in Mark at this point, described as a new character here, though mentioned by Mark three times just before (Mark 15:40, Mark 15:47; Mark 16:1). The appearance to Mary Magdalene is given in full by John 20:11-18.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Mark 16:9:
Matthew 28:8
Mark 16:8
Luke 8:2
John 20:1
Acts 20:7
1 Corinthians 16:2
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