Luke 24:11

KJV

And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} their {G846} words {G4487} seemed {G5316} to {G1799} them {G846} as {G5616} idle tales {G3026}, and {G2532} they believed {G569} them {G846} not {G569}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But the emissaries didn’t believe them; in fact, they thought that what they said was utter nonsense!

Berean Standard Bible

But their words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women.

American Standard Version

And these words appeared in their sight as idle talk; and they disbelieved them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 24:11 vividly captures the initial, incredulous reaction of Jesus' disciples to the news of His resurrection. Despite Jesus' prior predictions, the women's eyewitness account of the empty tomb and angelic pronouncements seemed to the apostles as utterly nonsensical and unbelievable, highlighting the profound human struggle to comprehend a reality that defied all natural expectation and experience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a pivotal moment in Luke's Gospel, immediately following the discovery of the empty tomb and the angelic announcement of Jesus' resurrection. In [Luke 24:1-3](/luke/24-1-3 "Luke 24:1-3 - The Women at the Empty Tomb"), a group of women, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, arrive at the tomb early on Sunday morning only to find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. While perplexed, they are then confronted by [two men in dazzling clothes](/luke/24-4 "Luke 24:4 - Angels at the Tomb") who declare that Jesus "is not here, but has risen" ([Luke 24:6](/luke/24-6 "Luke 24:6 - He Has Risen!")), reminding them of His prophecies concerning His death and resurrection ([Luke 24:7](/luke/24-7 "Luke 24:7 - Jesus' Prophecy Recalled")). Filled with a mix of awe and fear, the women rush back to inform the eleven apostles and the other disciples gathered with them, setting the stage for the apostles' disbelieving response in [Luke 24:11](/luke/24-11 "Luke 24:11 - Disciples' Disbelief"). This immediate rejection underscores the extraordinary nature of the resurrection event and prepares the reader for Jesus' subsequent appearances to convince His skeptical followers.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the first-century Jewish world, resurrection was a concept understood primarily as a general resurrection at the end of time, not an individual's return to life in the midst of history. While there were accounts of individuals being raised (e.g., Elijah, Elisha, Jesus Himself raising Lazarus), these were typically temporary resuscitations, not a permanent, glorified resurrection. Furthermore, the testimony of women was often not considered legally admissible in Jewish courts, and their accounts might have been easily dismissed or devalued by men. This cultural bias, combined with the sheer unprecedented nature of a bodily resurrection from the dead, contributed significantly to the apostles' skepticism. Their worldview simply did not have a category for what the women were reporting, making it easier to dismiss it as "idle tales."

* **Key Themes:** Luke 24:11 powerfully contributes to several key themes within Luke's narrative and the broader biblical story. Firstly, it highlights **human skepticism in the face of divine revelation**, particularly when that revelation challenges deeply held assumptions or defies natural laws. Despite having spent years with Jesus and hearing His predictions of resurrection ([Luke 9:22](/luke/9-22 "Luke 9:22 - Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection") and [Luke 18:31-33](/luke/18-31-33 "Luke 18:31-33 - Jesus Again Foretells His Death")), the disciples found the actual fulfillment of these prophecies almost impossible to accept. Secondly, the verse underscores the **unprecedented and miraculous nature of the resurrection**, emphasizing that it was an event so extraordinary that even those closest to Jesus struggled to comprehend it. This initial disbelief, ironically, strengthens the historical credibility of the resurrection accounts, as it shows the apostles were not gullible but required compelling evidence. Lastly, the passage subtly touches upon the **role of eyewitness testimony**, particularly that of women, in the foundational events of Christianity. Though initially dismissed, the women's testimony proved to be the first, divinely appointed announcement of the greatest news in history.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **words (Greek, _rhēma'_):** This term refers to an utterance or a saying, often carrying the weight of a spoken declaration or a matter of significance. Here, it denotes the specific message delivered by the women concerning the empty tomb and the angelic pronouncements. Its use emphasizes that what the disciples dismissed was not mere gossip, but a direct report of extraordinary events.
* **seemed (Greek, _phaínō'_):** Derived from a word meaning "to lighten" or "to shine," _phaínō_ here means "to appear" or "to seem." It indicates how the women's words were perceived by the disciples—not as reality, but as a mere appearance or impression, distinctly lacking substance or truth in their minds.
* **idle tales (Greek, _lēros'_):** This is a powerful word, meaning "twaddle," "nonsense," or an "incredible story." It conveys a strong sense of absurdity, foolish talk, or even delirious raving. The disciples considered the women's account to be utterly irrational and unworthy of serious consideration, highlighting the profound depth of their disbelief.
* **believed not (Greek, _apistéō'_):** This verb means "to be unbelieving" or "to disbelieve." It signifies a lack of faith or trust in the veracity of the message. The combination of "seemed as idle tales" and "believed them not" paints a complete picture of absolute rejection and incredulity on the part of the apostles.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And their words seemed to them as idle tales":** This clause describes the apostles' immediate, internal reception of the women's report. The "words" refer to the women's account of the empty tomb and the angels' message about Jesus' resurrection. To the apostles, this astonishing news was perceived as utterly nonsensical, like incoherent babbling or a preposterous fiction. The use of "seemed" indicates a subjective perception, not an objective reality, reflecting their inability or unwillingness to entertain such an extraordinary possibility.
* **"and they believed them not":** This second clause confirms and deepens the first. Their perception of the news as "idle tales" directly led to their complete lack of belief. It wasn't just that they questioned it; they actively disbelieved the women's testimony. This highlights the profound skepticism of the disciples, who, despite having heard Jesus speak of His resurrection, found the actual event too incredible to accept without further, undeniable proof.

#### Literary Devices
Luke employs several literary devices in this verse to underscore the dramatic tension and the profound nature of the resurrection. **Irony** is prominent, as the very individuals who had been closest to Jesus, had witnessed His miracles, and had heard His prophecies of resurrection, are the ones who initially disbelieve the news of His greatest miracle. This stands in stark **contrast** to the women, who, despite their cultural disadvantage, were the first to receive and believe the angelic message. The disciples' profound skepticism serves to validate the historical truth of the resurrection, as it demonstrates that even those with the most to gain from believing required overwhelming evidence. The dismissal of the women's words as "idle tales" also functions as a form of **understatement** of the monumental truth they were hearing, setting the stage for the dramatic reveal of the risen Christ that would shatter their disbelief and transform their lives.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 24:11 serves as a powerful testament to the human condition's struggle with faith, particularly when confronted with the supernatural. It highlights that even those intimately acquainted with divine truth can experience profound skepticism when that truth defies their rational understanding and lived experience. The initial disbelief of the apostles underscores the sheer magnitude of the resurrection—it was not an easily accepted concept, but a radical, world-altering event that demanded undeniable proof. This skepticism, paradoxically, strengthens the historical credibility of the resurrection, demonstrating that the apostles were not prone to credulity but were convinced only by the overwhelming evidence of the risen Christ. Their journey from disbelief to unwavering conviction forms a foundational pillar of Christian faith, emphasizing that the resurrection is not a myth but a historical reality upon which the entire Gospel rests.

* [Mark 16:11](/mark/16-11 "Mark 16:11 - Disbelief of the Disciples")
* [John 20:25](/john/20-25 "John 20:25 - Thomas's Doubt")
* [1 Corinthians 15:14](/1_corinthians/15-14 "1 Corinthians 15:14 - The Centrality of the Resurrection")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The apostles' initial reaction to the resurrection news offers profound insights for believers today. It reminds us that doubt is a natural, albeit challenging, part of the faith journey, even for those closest to God. We are called to cultivate empathy for those who wrestle with skepticism, understanding that genuine faith often emerges not from blind acceptance, but from a wrestling with truth that ultimately yields to conviction. This passage also underscores the importance of listening to and valuing all forms of testimony, even those that might be culturally marginalized or seem improbable at first glance. Just as the women's "idle tales" proved to be the most significant truth ever uttered, we must remain open to God's revelation, however it may come. Ultimately, this verse invites us to consider the transformative power of encountering the risen Christ, for it was not the initial report, but the personal encounter with Jesus that turned the apostles' skepticism into unwavering faith and empowered them to boldly proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does the disciples' initial disbelief teach us about the nature of faith and doubt?**
* **How might our own cultural biases or preconceived notions hinder our reception of God's truth?**
* **In what ways does the apostles' journey from skepticism to conviction strengthen your own faith in the resurrection?**

### FAQ
**Why were the disciples so skeptical despite Jesus having foretold His resurrection multiple times?**

Answer: The disciples' skepticism, as seen in [Luke 24:11](/luke/24-11 "Luke 24:11 - Disciples' Disbelief"), stemmed from a confluence of factors. Firstly, their understanding of the Messiah was largely shaped by prevailing Jewish expectations of a conquering king who would liberate Israel politically, not one who would die and rise again. While Jesus had indeed foretold His death and resurrection on several occasions ([Luke 9:22](/luke/9-22 "Luke 9:22 - Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection"), [Luke 18:31-33](/luke/18-31-33 "Luke 18:31-33 - Jesus Again Foretells His Death")), these prophecies were often veiled or difficult for them to grasp, as their minds were fixed on earthly glory. Secondly, the concept of an individual bodily resurrection *before* the general resurrection at the end of time was unprecedented and outside their theological framework. It defied all natural experience. Thirdly, the testimony came from women, whose legal and social standing in first-century Jewish society meant their witness was often not given the same weight as men's. The combination of deeply ingrained expectations, the extraordinary nature of the event, and the perceived unreliability of the messengers contributed to their profound disbelief, leading them to dismiss the news as "idle tales." Their skepticism, however, ironically strengthens the historical claim of the resurrection, as it demonstrates that even those closest to Jesus required undeniable proof to believe.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 24:11, depicting the apostles' initial disbelief in the resurrection, profoundly highlights the Christ-centered nature of salvation and revelation. Their inability to comprehend the women's "idle tales" underscores that the truth of the resurrection is not merely a historical fact to be believed, but a divine reality that must be revealed and encountered through Christ Himself. It was not the women's words alone, but the subsequent appearances of the risen Christ that transformed their skepticism into unwavering faith. Jesus' personal engagement with His disciples, opening their minds to understand the Scriptures and showing them His hands and feet ([Luke 24:39-45](/luke/24-39-45 "Luke 24:39-45 - Jesus Appears to His Disciples")), became the irrefutable proof. This journey from doubt to conviction mirrors the broader Christian experience: salvation is not achieved through human effort or intellectual assent to abstract concepts, but through a personal encounter with the resurrected Lord. The apostles' transformation from fearful, disbelieving men to bold proclaimers of the Gospel ([Acts 2:22-24](/acts/2-22-24 "Acts 2:22-24 - Peter's Sermon on the Resurrection")) demonstrates that the resurrection of Christ is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes ([Romans 1:16](/romans/1-16 "Romans 1:16 - The Power of the Gospel")), turning the seemingly impossible into the foundational truth upon which all Christian hope is built. The "idle tales" became the glorious truth of the Lamb of God who was slain and is alive forevermore ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Jesus, the Living One")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 16:11

And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.

Psalms 126:1

¶ A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

Genesis 19:14

And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.

Job 9:16

If I had called, and he had answered me; [yet] would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.

2 Kings 7:2

Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, [if] the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see [it] with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.

Acts 12:9

And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

Luke 24:25

Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: