Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text doesn't just list names; it highlights Joanna by name, the only one Luke mentions elsewhere as having followed Jesus from Galilee. This suggests she might have been a key witness or even the primary informant to the apostles about the resurrection.
Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following their discovery of the empty tomb and angelic pronouncements, these women, including Mary Magdalene and Joanna, rushed to share the astonishing news of Jesus' resurrection with the disciples. Initially, the apostles and their companions found these reports unbelievable, dismissing them as mere fanciful tales. It was only after Peter and John personally investigated the tomb and found it empty that the disciples began to process the incredible events.
Picture this: the most world-shattering news in history—Jesus is alive! Who delivered this message first? Not the eleven disciples, but a group of women.
In a culture where women's testimony often held little legal or social weight, Luke highlights their crucial role as the first heralds of the resurrection.
A Deliberate Choice
Luke specifically names Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. This isn't just a list of names; it's a powerful statement. These women were devoted followers who had ministered to Jesus and were present at the crucifixion and the tomb.
Undeniable Truth
By entrusting this message to women, Luke underscores the undeniable truth of the resurrection. The news came not from those with power or status, but from the most unexpected messengers, ensuring the message's authenticity was rooted in eyewitness testimony, not human authority.
The women rush to tell the disciples the most incredible news, but what was their reaction? You might be surprised.
The immediate reaction of the apostles to the women's report was disbelief. This isn't a sign of the women's untrustworthiness, but rather a testament to the shocking and unprecedented nature of the resurrection.
A Difficult Truth to Grasp
The disciples had witnessed Jesus' death, a profoundly final event. The idea of resurrection was so foreign and overwhelming that even the eyewitness testimony of the women, including those they knew and trusted, was initially dismissed.
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The Power of Seeing
It took further encounters and personal experiences, like Peter running to the tomb and later seeing Jesus himself, for the apostles to fully grasp the reality of the resurrection. This highlights that while testimony is vital, sometimes personal encounter is needed to truly internalize profound spiritual truths.
Understand the original words
apostolois · Greek Noun
The twelve disciples chosen by Jesus to be His primary witnesses, who were sent out with the authority of Christ to proclaim the Gospel and establish the foundation of the early church.
rhēma · Greek Noun
A report, narrative, or proclamation. In a biblical context, it often refers to the spoken message of God or the report of events related to His works.
lēros · Greek Noun
Literally 'nonsense' or 'absurd talk.' It refers to a report that is regarded as lacking truth, seriousness, or credibility.
pisteuō · Greek Verb
A firm conviction or trust in the truth of something. Biblically, it signifies not just intellectual assent but reliance upon God's word and testimony.
This moment highlights the crucial, yet often overlooked, role women played as the first witnesses and messengers of the resurrection, even though their initial testimony was met with disbelief by the male leadership.
c. AD 25-30
Jesus' Ministry and Crucifixion
Jesus' public ministry culminates in his arrest, trial, and crucifixion in Jerusalem during the Passover festival.
First day of the week following crucifixion— this verse
Discovery of the Empty Tomb
Mary Magdalene and other women disciples discover the tomb empty and are told by angels that Jesus has risen.
First day of the week following crucifixion
Women Report Resurrection to Apostles
Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and other women relay the news of the resurrection to the apostles and other disciples.
First day of the week following crucifixion
Apostles Initially Disbelieve
The male disciples, including Peter and the others on the road to Emmaus, initially dismiss the women's account as 'idle tales' or hallucinations.
First day of the week following crucifixion
Jesus Appears to Disciples
Jesus begins to appear to his followers, starting with Mary Magdalene (as per John's Gospel) and later to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, and then to the larger group of apostles, calming their fears and proving his resurrection.
This passage describes the same women leaving the tomb with a mix of fear and joy after encountering angels, mirroring the emotional state and mission of those in Luke 24:10.
Mark 16:9-11Mark focuses on Jesus appearing first to Mary Magdalene, highlighting her primary role as a messenger, and notes the apostles' disbelief when the women reported the resurrection.
John 20:11-18John's account details Mary Magdalene's encounter with Jesus at the tomb, emphasizing her commission to tell the disciples, which supports the idea of her being a key informant as suggested in Luke.
Acts 1:14This verse mentions the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus and his brothers, praying with the apostles, showing their continued presence and fellowship within the early church after the resurrection.
clarkeLuke 24:10: "It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles."
And Joanna - She was the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward. See Luke 8:3 .
bengelLuke 24:10: "It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles."
Luke 24:10 . ἦν — αἱ ) So [a Plural nominative follows after a Singular verb and nominative, the verb Plural being supplied from the Singular verb] Deuteronomy 27:9 , καὶ ἐλάλησε Μωϋσῆς καὶ οἱ ἱερεῖς — λέγοντες . So 1 Corinthians 9:6 .[269] The names are given in this place in particular, as being those of the witnesses to the fact, and n…
The text doesn't just list names; it highlights Joanna by name, the only one Luke mentions elsewhere as having followed Jesus from Galilee. This suggests she might have been a key witness or even the primary informant to the apostles about the resurrection.
Following their discovery of the empty tomb and angelic pronouncements, these women, including Mary Magdalene and Joanna, rushed to share the astonishing news of Jesus' resurrection with the disciples. Initially, the apostles and their companions found these reports unbelievable, dismissing them as mere fanciful tales. It was only after Peter and John personally investigated the tomb and found it empty that the disciples began to process the incredible events.
Following their discovery of the empty tomb and angelic pronouncements, these women, including Mary Magdalene and Joanna, rushed to share the astonishing news of Jesus' resurrection with the disciples. Initially, the apostles and their companions found these reports unbelievable, dismissing them as mere fanciful tales. It was only after Peter and John personally investigated the tomb and found it empty that the disciples began to process the incredible events.
"Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them." — The text doesn't just list names; it highlights Joanna by name, the only one Luke mentions elsewhere as having followed Jesus from Galilee. This suggests she might have been a key witness or even the…
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Last reviewed October 2026