Mark 16 13

Mark 16:13 kjv

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

Mark 16:13 nkjv

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

Mark 16:13 niv

These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.

Mark 16:13 esv

And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

Mark 16:13 nlt

They rushed back to tell the others, but no one believed them.

Mark 16 verses

Mark 16 13 Meaning

Mark 16:13 details the experience of two disciples who had encountered the risen Christ. They subsequently returned and reported their testimony to the other disciples, but those who heard them remained in unbelief. This verse continues a crucial theme in Mark's longer ending: the persistent skepticism of Jesus' closest followers despite multiple eyewitness accounts of His resurrection.

Mark 16 13 Context

Mark 16:13 is situated within the "longer ending" of Mark (verses 9-20), a passage widely recognized as not appearing in the earliest and most reliable Greek manuscripts of the Gospel, yet reflecting authentic early Christian traditions about the resurrection. The preceding verses establish that Mary Magdalene had already reported seeing the risen Jesus to the mourning disciples, but they "did not believe it" (Mark 16:10-11). Mark 16:12 describes Jesus appearing to "two of them," typically identified as the disciples on the road to Emmaus (compare Luke 24:13-35). This verse (Mark 16:13) narrates their return and reporting to "the rest," highlighting the continued theme of disbelief among the eleven (Mark 16:14). This consistent portrayal of initial, stubborn unbelief by Jesus' inner circle serves a crucial purpose: it underscores the dramatic nature of the resurrection appearances and validates the truth of the resurrection, as the eventual belief of the disciples was not based on gullibility or preconceived notions, but on overwhelming, personal evidence that broke through profound skepticism. It serves as an implicit polemic against those who might suggest the resurrection was merely a subjective experience or fabrication, by demonstrating the objective reality required to convince deeply doubting witnesses.

Mark 16 13 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai): A simple conjunction connecting this event to the previous appearance, indicating a continuation of post-resurrection appearances and the subsequent response. It serves to show a sequential progression in the narrative.
• they (ἐκεῖνοι - ekeinoi): Refers specifically to the "two of them" mentioned in Mark 16:12, who had seen Jesus "in another form." These are the Emmaus disciples of Luke's account. The pronoun highlights their specific role as witnesses in this context.
• went (ἀπελθόντες - apelthontes): A participial form meaning "having gone away." It signifies their departure from Emmaus back to Jerusalem, emphasizing their active movement to share the news immediately after their profound encounter with Jesus.
• and told (ἀπήγγειλαν - apēngeilan): Meaning "they reported," "announced," or "brought tidings." This verb stresses the deliberate and official nature of their message; they were eyewitnesses delivering a significant report. This act is central to the spread of the resurrection message.
• it: Implied in the Greek. Refers to the full substance of their encounter with the risen Lord—His appearing to them, His exposition of Scripture, and their recognition of Him in the breaking of bread. It encompasses the entirety of their direct, personal experience of the resurrected Christ.
• to the rest (τοῖς λοιποῖς - tois loipois): Refers to the remaining apostles and other close disciples. In the context of Mark 16:14, this specifically means "the eleven." This phrase designates the core group who were foundational to the early church.
• but (οὐδὲ - oude): A strong negative particle meaning "not even" or "neither," forming a strong contrast. It emphatically underscores the surprising and concerning fact that belief was still absent despite another credible witness. It marks a persistent spiritual barrier.
• they: Implied, referring to "the rest." It highlights the specific recipients of the testimony who failed to believe.
• did not believe (ἐπίστευσαν - episteusan with negative): From pisteuo, meaning "to have faith," "to trust," or "to be persuaded." Coupled with the negative oude, it unequivocally states their failure to accept the truth of the resurrection report. This repeated unbelief emphasizes its profound nature.
• them either (ἐκείνοις - ekeinois with oude): "Them" refers to the two who brought the report. "Either" signifies that this instance of unbelief follows a pattern, specifically paralleling their disbelief of Mary Magdalene's report in Mark 16:11. This emphasizes a continuity of skepticism and hard-heartedness, requiring a direct intervention from Christ Himself to overcome (Mark 16:14).

Words-group analysis:

• "And they went and told it": This phrase highlights the immediate and intentional nature of witness. Those who have encountered the risen Lord are compelled to share their experience. This reflects the foundational Christian call to proclamation.
• "to the rest": Specifies the audience of the testimony: the very disciples who were meant to carry forward Jesus' mission. This emphasizes the critical importance of their belief for the establishment and future of the Christian movement. Their initial unbelief provides an obstacle that only divine intervention could surmount.
• "but they did not believe them either": This final clause profoundly reveals the deep-seated skepticism and spiritual resistance among the disciples. The "either" signifies that this instance of unbelief is not isolated, but part of a persistent pattern (first with Mary Magdalene, then with the two disciples), setting the stage for Jesus' rebuke in Mark 16:14. It underscores the profound psychological and spiritual impact of the crucifixion on the disciples, rendering them incredibly resistant to the joy of resurrection.

Mark 16 13 Bonus section

The consistent theme of initial unbelief in Mark's ending (16:9-14) is particularly robust, suggesting that the resurrection was not readily embraced by an eager group of followers. This resistance makes their subsequent transformation and fearless preaching of the resurrection even more profound and compelling. Their later unshakeable conviction despite persecution becomes an even stronger testament to the objective reality of what they had experienced. It highlights that true faith is not always an immediate, unthinking acceptance, but often a hard-won conviction forged through personal encounter with divine truth. This narrative also provides a practical lesson: the spreading of the Gospel is often met with resistance, and overcoming such resistance requires persistence in witness and the direct intervention of the Holy Spirit (as implied in the subsequent command to preach and the accompanying signs).

Mark 16 13 Commentary

Mark 16:13 continues Mark's striking and intense emphasis on the disciples' persistent unbelief following the resurrection reports. Despite Mary Magdalene's testimony (Mark 16:10-11) and now the firsthand account of two disciples, arguably from Emmaus, the main group, particularly the Eleven, remain stubbornly unconvinced. This repeated and stubborn disbelief, portrayed more strongly in Mark than in other Gospels, serves several critical theological and literary functions.

First, it validates the historical reality of the resurrection. If those closest to Jesus were so difficult to convince, refusing to believe even multiple credible eyewitnesses, then their eventual conversion to belief points not to their gullibility, but to the overwhelming and objective power of Christ's resurrection appearances themselves (Mark 16:14). This profound skepticism among the earliest witnesses strengthens the authenticity of their later bold proclamation.

Second, it highlights the human tendency towards spiritual hardness of heart, even among those who have walked closely with the divine. Grief, dashed hopes, and deeply ingrained expectations of a different kind of Messiah rendered the disciples incapable of grasping such a revolutionary truth without divine aid. Their experience is a mirror for all who struggle with belief or resist God's clear revelation due to their own preconceived notions or current circumstances.

Finally, this verse sets the stage for Jesus' direct appearance and rebuke in Mark 16:14. It underscores that overcoming such deep-seated unbelief requires not just human testimony, but the direct, personal revelation of the risen Christ. This provides a foundational lesson that while human witness is crucial, it is ultimately God's self-revelation that brings forth true faith. The journey from doubt to unwavering conviction became a core aspect of the apostles' identity, equipping them to testify powerfully to others who would also need to transcend skepticism.