Mark 16:11

11 When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, 1they refused to believe it.

Mark 16:11 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 16:11

And they, when they had heard that he was alive
That is, the apostles, and those that were with them; when they heard the report of Mary Magdalene, that Christ was raised from the dead, and was certainly alive; or of all the women, for the Syriac version reads, "when they heard them saying that he was alive", not only Mary Magdalene, but Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women; for these all related this to the apostles, and the rest; see ( Luke 24:9 Luke 24:10 ) .

And had been seen of her;
of Mary Magdalene, or "of them"; as the Syriac version reads, and as it is read in one of Beza's copies:

they believed not;
the words of Mary, and the other women, for they seemed as idle tales to them, ( Luke 24:11 ) , imagining they were deceived with the sight of a spectre, or apparition; and fearing the news were too good and great to be true; forgetting the words of their Lord, that he should rise again the third day, and which had been so often repeated to them; and all this through stupidity of mind, occasioned by the trouble and consternation they were in.

Mark 16:11 In-Context

9 [Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons.
10 She went and reported to those who had been with Him, while they were mourning and weeping.
11 When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they refused to believe it.
12 After that, He appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking along on their way to the country.
13 They went away and reported it to the others, but they did not believe them either.

Cross References 1

  • 1. Matthew 28:17; Mark 16:13, 14; Luke 24:11, 41; John 20:25
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