### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word *lēros* (λῆρος), Strong's number `{{G3026}}`, is a noun typically defined as "twaddle," "nonsense," or an "incredible story." It conveys the idea of something utterly unbelievable, ridiculous, or absurd, often to the point of being dismissed as mere babble or foolish talk. The English translation "idle tale" (KJV) captures this sense of something lacking substance, credibility, and thus unworthy of serious consideration. It implies not merely a falsehood, but a statement so preposterous that it elicits immediate incredulity and a dismissive reaction. As a primary word, its meaning is foundational, pointing to a core concept of emptiness or unreality in speech.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term *lēros* (λῆρος) appears only once in the New Testament, in the Gospel of Luke:
* **[[Luke 24:11]]**: "But their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not."
This singular occurrence is profoundly significant. The context is the immediate aftermath of the resurrection. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and other women return from the empty tomb, having encountered angels who declared that Jesus was alive. They report these astonishing events to the apostles. The apostles' reaction is captured by *lēros*: they dismiss the women's testimony as "idle tales." This reveals the deep-seated skepticism and human difficulty in comprehending such a miraculous and unprecedented event, even among those who had spent years with Jesus and witnessed His power. The word underscores the apostles' initial lack of faith and their perception of the resurrection news as something so outlandish that it could only be nonsensical babble, rather than a credible report. It highlights the profound shift in understanding that would be required for them to embrace the reality of the resurrection.
### Related Words & Concepts
*Lēros* (λῆρος) stands in conceptual proximity to several other Greek words that convey notions of emptiness, foolishness, or unreliability.
* **`{{G2756}}` (*kenos*)**: Meaning "empty" or "vain," often used for empty words or actions.
* **`{{G3152}}` (*mataios*)**: Denoting something "vain," "futile," or "useless," particularly in the context of idolatry or empty pursuits.
* **`{{G3472}}` (*moria*)**: Signifying "foolishness" or "folly," often used in the Pauline epistles to contrast human wisdom with divine wisdom (e.g., [[1 Corinthians 1:18]], [[1 Corinthians 1:23]]).
* **`{{G878}}` (*aphros*)**: Meaning "foolish" or "senseless."
* **`{{G3454}}` (*mythos*)**: "Myth" or "fable," often used in the Pastoral Epistles to describe false teachings or fabricated stories that divert from the truth (e.g., [[1 Timothy 1:4]], [[2 Timothy 4:4]], [[Titus 1:14]]). While *lēros* emphasizes the *absurdity* and *unbelievability* of a story from the perspective of the hearer, *mythos* focuses on the *fictional* or *fabricated* nature of the narrative itself. There is an overlap in that both are dismissed as untrue, but *lēros* carries a stronger connotation of derision due to perceived nonsense.
* **`{{G570}}` (*apisteo*)**: "To disbelieve" or "be faithless," directly related to the apostles' response to the women's report in [[Luke 24:11]].
### Theological Significance
The singular use of *lēros* (λῆρος) in [[Luke 24:11]] is a pivotal moment in the resurrection narrative. It starkly illustrates the profound human resistance to the supernatural and the miraculous, even among those most intimately connected to Jesus. The apostles' dismissal of the resurrection news as "idle tales" underscores the radical, paradigm-shifting nature of the event. It was not a concept easily assimilated or believed, even by those who had witnessed Jesus' power over disease and death.
Theologically, this passage highlights several crucial points:
1. **Human Incredulity vs. Divine Truth**: It sets up a powerful contrast between human perception, which deems the resurrection *lēros* (absurd and unbelievable), and divine truth, which establishes it as the foundational reality of salvation and the Christian faith.
2. **The Necessity of Divine Revelation**: The apostles' initial disbelief demonstrates that the resurrection could not be grasped or accepted merely through human testimony or rational deduction. It required the direct intervention of the resurrected Christ Himself to open their minds and hearts (cf. [[Luke 24:45]]).
3. **The "Foolishness" of God**: This incident prefigures the New Testament theme that what appears as "foolishness" to human wisdom is, in fact, the wisdom and power of God (cf. [[1 Corinthians 1:18-25]]). The "idle tale" of the women becomes the central, most profound truth of the gospel.
4. **Authenticity of the Account**: The inclusion of the apostles' initial skepticism lends historical credibility to the resurrection accounts. Had the apostles fabricated the story, they would likely have presented themselves as immediately believing and understanding, rather than as initially dismissive. Their struggle to believe underscores the overwhelming nature of the resurrection.
### Summary
*Lēros* (λῆρος), meaning "twaddle" or an "idle tale," denotes something utterly incredible, nonsensical, and worthy of dismissal. Its sole biblical occurrence in [[Luke 24:11]] serves as a powerful testament to the apostles' initial profound skepticism regarding the women's report of Jesus' resurrection. This word highlights the radical nature of the resurrection event, which human reason initially perceived as absurd and unbelievable. Theologically, *lēros* underscores the tension between human incredulity and divine truth, revealing how what is dismissed as "idle" by human wisdom is, in fact, the cornerstone of Christian faith and salvation, requiring divine revelation to be fully grasped.
TRV