Mark 16:13
And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Mark 16:13
And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The disciples' disbelief wasn't a simple denial, but a profound struggle to grasp a reality beyond their experience—a resurrected life wasn't just returning from the dead, but an entirely new mode of existence. This hesitancy, even when faced with eyewitness accounts, highlights the sheer shock and the un-precedented nature of Christ's resurrection, which challenged their very understanding of life and death.
After the resurrection appearances to Mary Magdalene and then to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, these latter two hurried back to Jerusalem to share the news with the others. However, the remaining disciples were skeptical, finding it hard to believe that Jesus had truly risen, even when told by those who had just seen Him. This disbelief highlights the unprecedented and astounding nature of the resurrection, which challenged their prior understanding of life and death.
Imagine the shock and awe of seeing Jesus alive! Yet, the very ones who witnessed this miracle struggled to believe it.
It might seem strange that the disciples, after seeing the risen Jesus, would still doubt. But the Scriptures highlight this struggle as a crucial part of the resurrection narrative.
A New Kind of Reality
The resurrection wasn't just Jesus returning to life; it was a transition to a new, transformed existence. This 'new life' manifested in ways that defied their previous understanding of reality. It wasn't like Lazarus, who was raised back to his old life. Jesus' resurrected body had new properties, appearing and disappearing, which naturally caused confusion and hesitation. This strangeness and unprecedented nature of the resurrection made it hard for even those closest to Jesus to fully grasp.
God's Providence in Doubt
Commentators note that this period of disbelief wasn't an accident. It was, in a sense, permitted by God. This allowed for later, more solid faith to be built, confirmed by multiple witnesses and personal encounters. It shows that God's plan wasn't derailed by their doubt; rather, their doubt served to strengthen the eventual certainty for them and for us.
What if their hesitation wasn't a sign of weak faith, but actually a stepping stone to a stronger one?
The Bible doesn't shy away from the disciples' disbelief. Instead, it uses their struggle as a powerful testament to the reality of the resurrection.
The Value of Slow Belief
The Gospels intentionally record the slowness of the Apostles to believe the resurrection accounts. This wasn't to condemn them, but to validate the event itself. If they, who had been with Jesus, found it hard to believe, it underscores how truly astonishing and unprecedented the resurrection was.
Building Faith on Evidence
Their initial disbelief paved the way for a more robust faith. The repeated appearances and interactions Jesus had with them – showing His hands and side, eating with them – were designed to overcome their doubts. This process transformed their fear and uncertainty into a confident proclamation that would change the world. Their journey from doubt to certainty serves as a powerful witness to the truth of Christ's resurrection.
The disciples' initial disbelief, even after hearing from those who had seen the risen Christ, highlights the profound shock and difficulty of accepting such an unprecedented event, underscoring the need for Jesus' direct appearances to solidify their faith.
c. AD 30, Easter Sunday morning
Empty Tomb and Angelic Messengers
Following the Sabbath, women disciples discover Jesus' tomb is empty and are told by an angel that He has risen.
c. AD 30, Easter Sunday morning
Appearance to Mary Magdalene
Jesus first appears to Mary Magdalene, who is then sent to tell the other disciples.
c. AD 30, Easter Sunday afternoon
Journey to Emmaus
Two disciples encounter the resurrected Jesus on the road to Emmaus, but do not recognize Him until He breaks bread with them.
c. AD 30, Easter Sunday evening— this verse
Disciples Disbelieve Emmaus Witnesses
The two disciples return to Jerusalem and tell the other followers about Jesus' appearance, but they are met with disbelief.
This passage describes the disciples' initial disbelief when Mary Magdalene reported seeing the risen Jesus, mirroring the reaction of the rest of the disciples in Mark 16:13.
Luke 24:36-41This shows Jesus appearing to the disciples and gently rebuking them for their doubt and fear, highlighting their struggle to believe in His resurrection even when He was physically present.
John 20:24-25This passage specifically mentions Thomas's doubt, illustrating the pervasive skepticism among the disciples even after the resurrection was reported.
Matthew 28:17This verse notes that when the eleven disciples saw Jesus on the mountain, some doubted, confirming the difficulty they had in accepting the reality of His resurrection.
barnesMark 16:13: "And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them."
The residue - The remainder. Those who remained at Jerusalem.
cambridgeMark 16:13: "And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them."
13 . they went and told it unto the residue ] No sooner did they recognise our Lord in the breaking of the bread ( Luke 24:35 ), and He had vanished out of their sight ( Luke 24:31 ), than they returned in haste to Jerusalem, ascended to the Upper Room, found ten of the Apostles met together ( Luke 24:33 ), and whereas they thought they alone were the bearers of joyful tidings, they were themselves greeted wit…
The disciples' disbelief wasn't a simple denial, but a profound struggle to grasp a reality beyond their experience—a resurrected life wasn't just returning from the dead, but an entirely new mode of existence. This hesitancy, even when faced with eyewitness accounts, highlights the sheer shock and the un-precedented nature of Christ's resurrection, which challenged their very understanding of life and death.
After the resurrection appearances to Mary Magdalene and then to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, these latter two hurried back to Jerusalem to share the news with the others. However, the remaining disciples were skeptical, finding it hard to believe that Jesus had truly risen, even when told by those who had just seen Him. This disbelief highlights the unprecedented and astounding nature of the resurrection, which challenged their prior understanding of life and death.
After the resurrection appearances to Mary Magdalene and then to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, these latter two hurried back to Jerusalem to share the news with the others. However, the remaining disciples were skeptical, finding it hard to believe that Jesus had truly risen, even when told by those who had just seen Him. This disbelief highlights the unprecedented and astounding nature of the resurrection, which challenged their prior understanding of life and death.
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c. AD 30, Easter Sunday evening
Appearance to the Eleven
Jesus appears to the eleven apostles while they are gathered, rebuking them for their unbelief and proving His resurrection.
"And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them." — The disciples' disbelief wasn't a simple denial, but a profound struggle to grasp a reality beyond their experience—a resurrected life wasn't just returning from the dead, but an entirely new mode of…