Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 16:9

"Now when he was risen early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons." — Mark 16:9 (ASV)

The break in the continuity of the narrative seems to indicate that vv.9–20 were not originally a part of Mark’s gospel but are rather a summary of postresurrection appearances of Jesus composed independently. The Greek text of this verse has no subject (it is supplied for clarification by NIV), as if Jesus, not Mary, had just been mentioned. Also, since Mary Magdalene is mentioned for the fourth time (cf. 15:40, 47; 16:1), it is strange that the detail “out of whom he had driven seven demons” is for the first time mentioned here.