Mark 16:13

KJV

And they went and told [it] unto the residue: neither believed they them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they {G2548} went {G565} and told {G518} it unto the residue {G3062}: neither {G3761} believed they {G4100} them {G1565}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They went and told the others, but they didn't believe them either.

Berean Standard Bible

And they went back and reported it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.

American Standard Version

And they went away and told it unto the rest: neither believed they them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 16:13 recounts the immediate aftermath of Jesus' post-resurrection appearance to two disciples, likely on the road to Emmaus, as they return to Jerusalem and share their astonishing news with the remaining disciples. Despite their earnest testimony, the "residue"—the primary group of apostles and their companions—responded with profound skepticism and outright disbelief, highlighting the initial human struggle to grasp the reality of Christ's triumph over death.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 16:13 is situated within the "Longer Ending of Mark" (Mark 16:9-20), a debated but historically significant section that details Jesus' post-resurrection appearances and final commission to His disciples. This verse immediately follows the account of Jesus appearing "in another form unto two of them" ([Mark 16:12](/mark/16-12 "Mark 16:12 - Jesus Appears to Two Disciples")), which is widely understood to be a concise reference to the Emmaus Road encounter described more fully in [Luke 24:13-35](/luke/24-13-35 "Luke 24:13-35 - The Emmaus Road Account"). The narrative flow in Mark's ending rapidly progresses through a series of rejected testimonies, beginning with Mary Magdalene's report in [Mark 16:9-11](/mark/16-9-11 "Mark 16:9-11 - Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene"), followed by this verse's account of the two disciples, all culminating in Jesus' direct rebuke of the eleven for their unbelief in [Mark 16:14](/mark/16-14 "Mark 16:14 - Jesus Appears to the Eleven"). This sequence emphasizes the profound difficulty even His closest followers had in accepting the resurrection.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period immediately following Jesus' crucifixion was one of immense confusion, grief, and fear for His disciples. Their hopes had been shattered by His death, and their understanding of messianic prophecy was largely shaped by expectations of a conquering king, not a suffering servant who would die and rise again. Resurrection from the dead, while a concept present in some Jewish thought (e.g., the Pharisees believed in a general resurrection at the end of time), was not anticipated for an individual in the middle of history, especially not one who had been executed as a criminal. Thus, the idea of Jesus' bodily resurrection was not only counter-cultural but also deeply counter-intuitive to their current theological framework. Their initial disbelief was a natural human response to an unprecedented and utterly astonishing claim, challenging their deepest assumptions about life, death, and God's plan.

* **Key Themes:** Mark 16:13 contributes significantly to several key themes within the broader book of Mark and the New Testament. Foremost among these is the theme of **initial disbelief and the struggle for faith**. Despite Jesus' clear predictions of His death and resurrection (e.g., [Mark 8:31](/mark/8-31 "Mark 8:31 - Jesus Predicts His Death"), [Mark 9:31](/mark/9-31 "Mark 9:31 - Jesus Predicts His Death Again"), [Mark 10:33-34](/mark/10-33-34 "Mark 10:33-34 - Jesus Predicts His Death a Third Time")), the disciples consistently failed to grasp the full implications until after the resurrection. This verse underscores the human tendency to doubt even profound truths, especially those that defy conventional understanding. It also highlights the **importance of eyewitness testimony** as a foundational element of the Gospel message, even when that testimony is initially rejected. Finally, it subtly introduces the theme of **divine patience and persistence**, as Jesus Himself would later appear to these disbelieving disciples to overcome their skepticism, demonstrating His commitment to bringing them to full faith, as seen in [Mark 16:14](/mark/16-14 "Mark 16:14 - Jesus Appears to the Eleven Disciples").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **told (Greek, _apangéllō'_):** From _apó_ (from) and the base of _ángelos_ (messenger), this verb means "to announce," "to report," or "to bring word." It implies a formal or significant declaration, not just casual conversation. In this context, it emphasizes the intentional act of the two disciples to convey the momentous news of Jesus' appearance to them, underscoring the gravity and importance of their message.
* **residue (Greek, _loipoí'_):** This masculine plural term derives from _leípō_ (to leave, to remain) and literally means "the remaining ones" or "the rest." In Mark 16:13, it specifically refers to the remaining group of disciples, likely the eleven apostles (minus Judas) and perhaps other close followers who were gathered together, as indicated by parallel accounts in the Gospels. It highlights that the message was delivered to the core group who were expected to be the primary recipients and future witnesses.
* **believed (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** From _pístis_ (faith), this verb means "to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing)," "to credit," or "to entrust." The use of this word, negated by _oudé_ ("neither," "not even"), powerfully conveys the absolute lack of faith or conviction on the part of the "residue." It indicates not merely a momentary hesitation, but a fundamental rejection of the truth of the two disciples' testimony regarding Jesus' resurrection.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they went and told [it] unto the residue":** This clause describes the action of the two disciples who had encountered the resurrected Jesus. Having recognized Him on the road to Emmaus and witnessed His disappearance, they immediately returned to Jerusalem, driven by the urgency and joy of their discovery. Their act of "telling" was a direct, earnest attempt to share the life-altering news with their fellow disciples, who were likely still in hiding and mourning. The "residue" refers to the main body of the disciples, indicating that this crucial message was delivered to the core group of Jesus' followers.
* **"neither believed they them.":** This stark and concise statement reveals the immediate, negative reaction of the "residue." Despite the personal, eyewitness testimony of two trusted companions, the main group of disciples remained steeped in disbelief. The strong negative particle "neither" (Greek _oudé_) emphasizes their absolute refusal to credit the report, underscoring the profound skepticism and the formidable barrier of their preconceived notions and grief that prevented them from accepting the unprecedented reality of the resurrection.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 16:13 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. There is a strong sense of **Contrast** between the joyful, urgent testimony of the two disciples and the stubborn, immediate disbelief of the "residue." This juxtaposition highlights the profound human struggle to accept truths that challenge deeply held assumptions, especially after such a traumatic event as the crucifixion. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony**, as those who had spent years with Jesus, heard His prophecies, and were designated to be His future witnesses, are the very ones who initially reject the foundational truth of His resurrection. This irony serves to underscore the extraordinary nature of the resurrection and the necessity of divine intervention to overcome human skepticism. The verse also functions as a **Foreshadowing** of Jesus' subsequent direct appearance and rebuke in [Mark 16:14](/mark/16-14 "Mark 16:14 - Jesus Appears to the Eleven"), demonstrating that human testimony, while crucial, often needs to be supplemented by direct divine revelation to fully establish faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 16:13 profoundly illustrates the initial human struggle with the reality of the resurrection, even among those closest to Jesus. It reveals that faith is not always an immediate or automatic response to evidence, no matter how compelling. The disciples' disbelief underscores the unprecedented nature of the resurrection and the radical shift in understanding it required. Theologically, this verse sets the stage for Jesus' subsequent appearances, emphasizing that His post-resurrection ministry included patiently overcoming the disciples' skepticism, not merely confirming His victory. It teaches us that God meets us in our doubts, providing further revelation and encounter to solidify our faith, rather than abandoning us in our unbelief. This narrative also validates the humanity of the disciples, showing that their journey to full conviction was a process, making their eventual witness all the more powerful and relatable.

* [Mark 16:14](/mark/16-14 "Mark 16:14 - Jesus Rebukes the Eleven's Unbelief")
* [Luke 24:36-43](/luke/24-36-43 "Luke 24:36-43 - Jesus Appears to His Disciples and Eats Fish")
* [John 20:24-29](/john/20-24-29 "John 20:24-29 - Doubting Thomas Encounters the Risen Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 16:13 offers a poignant reminder that doubt is a deeply human experience, even for those who earnestly seek to follow Christ. The initial disbelief of the "residue" of disciples, despite hearing compelling eyewitness accounts, normalizes our own struggles with faith in the face of challenging truths or difficult circumstances. This verse encourages us to approach our own doubts, and those of others, with patience and understanding, rather than condemnation. Just as Jesus did not abandon His disciples in their unbelief but patiently revealed Himself to them, we are called to persevere in seeking truth and to trust that God will meet us in our journey. It also underscores the enduring power of personal testimony; even when initially rejected, the faithful sharing of our encounter with Christ remains a vital part of spreading the Gospel, trusting that the Holy Spirit will ultimately open hearts to believe. Our faith journey is often one of wrestling with truth, receiving evidence, and ultimately, a divine revelation that transforms skepticism into conviction.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the disciples' initial disbelief in Mark 16:13 resonate with your own experiences of doubt or skepticism, either personally or in witnessing others' faith journeys?**
* **What role do eyewitness testimonies play in strengthening your faith, and how might you more effectively share your own "story" of encountering Christ with others?**
* **Considering Jesus' patient response to His disciples' unbelief (as seen in subsequent verses), how can we cultivate greater patience and compassion towards those who struggle with faith today?**

### FAQ

**Why did the disciples not believe the testimony of their own companions?**

Answer: The disciples' disbelief stemmed from several factors. Firstly, the concept of a bodily resurrection in the middle of history was entirely outside their Jewish theological framework, which typically envisioned a general resurrection at the end of time. They were still processing the trauma of Jesus' crucifixion and the shattering of their messianic hopes. Secondly, their minds were likely clouded by grief and fear, making it difficult to accept such an extraordinary claim. Even though Jesus had predicted His resurrection multiple times, they had not fully understood or accepted these prophecies. The news was simply too good, too radical, and too contrary to their current reality to be immediately credited, even from trusted friends. Their disbelief highlights the profound human difficulty in accepting truths that defy all prior experience and expectation, underscoring the miraculous nature of the resurrection itself.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 16:13, with its stark portrayal of the disciples' disbelief, powerfully sets the stage for the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The initial human inability to believe the resurrection testimony underscores the profound spiritual blindness and hardened hearts that only Christ Himself can overcome. Just as the disciples needed Jesus to appear to them directly, opening their minds to understand the Scriptures ([Luke 24:44-45](/luke/24-44-45 "Luke 24:44-45 - Jesus Explains the Scriptures")), so too does humanity require the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit, sent by Christ, to truly apprehend the truth of His victory over sin and death. The very disbelief recorded here highlights the necessity of the resurrected Christ's continued work, not only in overcoming death but also in conquering the skepticism of human hearts. He is the one who transforms doubt into conviction, fear into faith, and despair into hope, ultimately fulfilling the promise of a new covenant where God's law is written on hearts, enabling true belief ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")). The disciples' journey from unbelief to bold proclamation, empowered by the Spirit, becomes a prototype for all who would come to faith in the risen Lord, demonstrating that faith is ultimately a gift and work of Christ Himself ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Grace Through Faith")).

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

John 20:25

The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

Luke 24:33

And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,

Luke 24:35

And they told what things [were done] in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

Luke 16:31

And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

John 20:8

Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.