The verse highlights that the women didn't just tell the eleven apostles; they also told "all the rest," indicating the news of the resurrection was shared broadly beyond the immediate leadership. This emphasizes that the early church included a wider community of believers, not just the core group of disciples, all of whom were part of this monumental revelation.
and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 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. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following their hurried departure from the empty tomb, the women rushed to share the astonishing news of Jesus' resurrection. They relayed everything they had seen and heard to the eleven apostles and other believers gathered with them, though their incredible message was initially met with disbelief. This report from the women is the immediate precursor to Jesus himself appearing to them and further solidifying the reality of his resurrection.
Imagine the whirlwind of emotions: fear, awe, joy, confusion. Yet, the first instinct wasn't to hide, but to run.
The women didn't wait. The moment they received the astonishing news of Jesus' resurrection – from angelic messengers and a personal encounter – they immediately set off to tell the disciples.
The news wasn't just for the inner circle. Who else needed to hear this world-changing message?
Luke is clear that the women didn't just tell the apostles (the 'eleven'). They also told 'all the rest.' This broadens the scope of the initial proclamation.
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You'd think the news of resurrection would be instantly believed. But the reality was far more complex.
Despite the urgent and clear message from the women, the response from the disciples was not immediate, widespread belief. They heard, but they struggled to accept.
Understand the original words
mnēmeion · Greek Noun
A place of burial; the site where the physical body of Jesus was placed after the crucifixion, which was found empty on the third day, providing historical evidence of the resurrection.
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.
mnēmeion · Greek Noun
A place of burial; a grave. In the New Testament, it is frequently associated with the resurrection of Christ.
othonion · Greek Noun
Fine cloth used to wrap a body for burial. These are significant in the Gospel accounts as evidence left behind after the resurrection of Jesus.
thaumazō · Greek Verb
To be filled with astonishment, wonder, or perplexity. It describes a state of being profoundly impressed or bewildered by a supernatural or unusual event.
The disciples' initial disbelief highlights the profound shock and grief following Jesus' crucifixion, making the resurrection news seem almost impossible until further confirmation.
c. AD 30
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth is crucified in Jerusalem under the Roman prefect Pontius Pilate, a pivotal event that deeply grieves and scatters his followers.
c. AD 30 (Sunday morning)— this verse
Discovery of the Empty Tomb
Women disciples, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, go to Jesus' tomb early Sunday morning to anoint his body, only to find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty.
c. AD 30 (Sunday morning)
Women Report the Resurrection
The women are met by angels who tell them Jesus has risen, and they then rush to tell the eleven apostles and other disciples the news.
c. AD 30 (Sunday morning)
Disciples Disbelieve the Women
The apostles and other male disciples largely dismiss the women's accounts as fanciful or mistaken, their grief and shock from the crucifixion hindering belief.
c. AD 30 (Sunday morning)
Peter and John Visit the Tomb
Peter and John, hearing the women's report, run to the tomb to see for themselves, finding it empty and the burial cloths neatly folded.
This passage describes the women quickly leaving the tomb with joy and fear, running to tell the disciples the same news about the resurrection, mirroring Luke's account of their urgent reporting.
Mark 16:10This verse shows Mary Magdalene going to tell the disciples after seeing the risen Christ, highlighting the initial disbelief that met the resurrection news, similar to what the women experienced in Luke.
John 20:2John's Gospel records Mary Magdalene running to tell Peter and John specifically, which complements Luke's broader mention of the women telling 'all these things' to the eleven and the wider group.
Acts 1:15This verse mentions about 120 people gathered together, providing context for the 'all the rest' besides the eleven apostles that the women reported the resurrection news to.
cambridgeLuke 24:9: "And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest."
- returned from the sepulchre ] Comp. Matthew 28:8 . From John 20:2 we infer that Mary of Magdala had, in the first instance, run from the sepulchre to tell Peter and John of the removal of the stone, and had therefore not seen the first vision of angels. The apparent contradiction in Mark 16:8 obviously means that they ‘said not one word on the subject to any one’ except the Apostles…
ellicottLuke 24:9: "And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest."
(9-11) To all the rest. —So Matthew 28:8 as to “the disciples,” as a wider term than “Apostles.” We may naturally think of many at least of the Seventy as being among the “rest.”
The verse highlights that the women didn't just tell the eleven apostles; they also told "all the rest," indicating the news of the resurrection was shared broadly beyond the immediate leadership. This emphasizes that the early church included a wider community of believers, not just the core group of disciples, all of whom were part of this monumental revelation.
Following their hurried departure from the empty tomb, the women rushed to share the astonishing news of Jesus' resurrection. They relayed everything they had seen and heard to the eleven apostles and other believers gathered with them, though their incredible message was initially met with disbelief. This report from the women is the immediate precursor to Jesus himself appearing to them and further solidifying the reality of his resurrection.
Following their hurried departure from the empty tomb, the women rushed to share the astonishing news of Jesus' resurrection. They relayed everything they had seen and heard to the eleven apostles and other believers gathered with them, though their incredible message was initially met with disbelief. This report from the women is the immediate precursor to Jesus himself appearing to them and further solidifying the reality of his resurrection.
"and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 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 word…" — The verse highlights that the women didn't just tell the eleven apostles; they also told "all the rest," indicating the news of the resurrection was shared broadly beyond the immediate leadership. Th…
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Last reviewed October 2026
