Mark 16 14

Mark 16:14 kjv

Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

Mark 16:14 nkjv

Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.

Mark 16:14 niv

Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

Mark 16:14 esv

Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.

Mark 16:14 nlt

Still later he appeared to the eleven disciples as they were eating together. He rebuked them for their stubborn unbelief because they refused to believe those who had seen him after he had been raised from the dead.

Mark 16 verses

Mark 16 14 Meaning

Mark 16:14 describes a pivotal post-resurrection appearance of Jesus to the remaining eleven apostles. During this encounter, Jesus directly and severely rebuked them for their persistent lack of faith and spiritual stubbornness. Their offense was specifically their failure to believe the credible eyewitness accounts of His resurrection that they had already received. This rebuke underscores the critical importance of receiving and trusting divine testimony, particularly concerning the foundational truth of Christ's triumph over death.

Mark 16 14 Context

Mark 16:14 appears in the "Longer Ending of Mark" (verses 9-20), a passage widely accepted as inspired Scripture by the early Church and found in numerous ancient manuscripts, providing a complete account of the post-resurrection period and the commissioning of the disciples. The immediate context of verse 14 is the disciples' repeated and documented unbelief following Jesus' resurrection. Prior to this verse, Jesus had appeared to Mary Magdalene (Mk 16:9-11) and then to two other disciples on the road (Mk 16:12-13), both of whom subsequently reported their experiences to the other apostles. In both instances, the Eleven refused to believe these credible eyewitness testimonies. Therefore, when Jesus appears to them directly in verse 14, His rebuke is specifically targeted at this deep-seated resistance to truth, preparing them for the profound mission ahead (Mk 16:15-18). Historically and culturally, first-century Judaism generally accepted the concept of resurrection (as seen in the Pharisees), making the particular resurrection of an individual more startling than the concept itself. The disciples' difficulty stemmed not from outright rejection of resurrection per se, but from their pre-conceived notions of the Messiah and their spiritual dullness, which prevented them from embracing the divine reality presented before them.

Mark 16 14 Word analysis

• Later: The Greek word is husteron (ὕστερον). This temporal adverb emphasizes that this appearance occurred at a subsequent time after the earlier reported appearances, highlighting the persistent nature of the disciples' unbelief despite various opportunities to hear and reflect.
• Jesus appeared: The Greek word is ephanerothe (ἐφανερώθη), derived from phaneroō (φανερόω), meaning "to make manifest," "to show oneself," "to reveal." This signifies a tangible, undeniable manifestation, not a ghost or hallucination, reinforcing the reality of His physical resurrection.
• to the Eleven: Greek tois hendeka (τοῖς ἕνδεκα). This precise number explicitly excludes Judas Iscariot, who had died (Mt 27:3-5; Acts 1:18), focusing the appearance and rebuke specifically on the remaining core apostles who would soon bear the torch of the Gospel. It underscores their unique position and responsibility.
• themselves: Greek autois (αὐτοῖς). Emphasizes that He appeared directly to them, not just that they heard about Him, leaving no room for excuses based on indirect testimony.
• as they were reclining at table: Greek anakeimenois (ἀνακειμένοις). This describes a common posture for eating meals, indicating a time of communal fellowship, perhaps a final or important meal before the Ascension. The setting is intimate, yet it becomes the scene for a severe rebuke, signifying that even in familiar, communal moments, spiritual realities must be addressed.
• and He upbraided them: The Greek verb oneidisen (ὠνείδισεν), from oneidizō (ὀνειδίζω), is a strong word meaning "to reproach," "to revile," "to censure sharply," or "to cast in their teeth." It conveys a harsh, authoritative, and direct condemnation, highlighting the gravity of their spiritual state and Jesus’ displeasure.
• for their unbelief: The Greek noun apistian (ἀπιστίαν) denotes "lack of faith," "faithlessness," or "distrust." It implies a volitional refusal to accept what is true, despite adequate evidence. This wasn't merely intellectual doubt but a spiritual disposition contrary to trust in God's word.
• and hardness of heart: The Greek noun sklerokardian (σκληροκαρδίαν), literally "hard-heartedness." This is a profoundly biblical term (e.g., Deut 9:7, Ps 95:8, Mk 3:5), indicating spiritual obtuseness, insensitivity, and an obstinate resistance to divine truth or spiritual revelation. It's not just failing to understand, but actively resisting God's workings.
• because they had not believed: Greek hoti ouk episteusan (ὅτι οὐκ ἐπίστευσαν). This provides the direct cause or reason for the upbraiding. Their unbelief and hardness of heart were concretely manifested in their failure to accept the clear testimonies they had received.
• those who had seen Him after He had risen: This refers specifically to Mary Magdalene (Mk 16:9-11) and the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Mk 16:12-13; also Lk 24:13-35). This phrase underscores the reliability and credibility of the eyewitness testimonies, making the apostles' refusal to believe all the more reprehensible. The resurrection (egeirō, to be raised) is the foundational event of Christian faith.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "unbelief and hardness of heart": These two concepts are presented as deeply intertwined. "Unbelief" (apistia) describes the condition of lacking faith or being unwilling to believe, while "hardness of heart" (sklerokardia) describes the inner disposition of stubbornness, spiritual insensitivity, and obstinate resistance that produces or characterizes such unbelief. It implies a spiritual condition that is deeper than mere intellectual doubt; it is a resistant will.
• "had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen": This phrase highlights the specific object of their unbelief: the irrefutable, attested, eyewitness accounts of Jesus' bodily resurrection. It stresses that their lack of faith was not due to an absence of evidence but to their rejection of available, verifiable testimony. Their unbelief was not based on ignorance but on stubborn resistance to well-substantiated truth.

Mark 16 14 Bonus section

This forceful confrontation with their unbelief serves a crucial pedagogical purpose: it discredits any idea that the apostles were easily swayed or credulous. Their initial skepticism strengthens the credibility of their later, resolute witness, demonstrating that their faith was forged in the fire of direct, irrefutable encounter rather than naive acceptance. Furthermore, the event immediately precedes the Great Commission, showcasing a direct transition from a state of reproved unbelief to being commissioned agents of the Kingdom, demonstrating Jesus’ restorative grace even after strong condemnation. The passage implies that genuine faith often arises through an initial wrestling with disbelief and calls for an open heart to divine revelation and the testimony of others.

Mark 16 14 Commentary

Mark 16:14 presents a stark image of Jesus' divine authority and His loving, yet firm, commitment to truth and faith. His post-resurrection appearance to the core apostles, while they were gathered, culminates not in gentle encouragement but in a powerful rebuke. The severity of "upbraided them" (Greek oneidizō) underlines that their "unbelief" and "hardness of heart" were not minor failings but serious deficiencies impeding their readiness for the mission He would immediately give them. Their rejection of credible eyewitness testimony – a cornerstone of Jewish legal and cultural acceptance – revealed a deep spiritual dullness. This stubbornness, inherited from the human tendency seen in Old Testament Israel, kept them from grasping the magnitude of God's redemptive work. However, this rebuke was ultimately a merciful act, a necessary spiritual shock to dismantle their preconceived notions and open their hearts. It paved the way for them to embrace the reality of the resurrected Christ, receive the Great Commission (Mk 16:15), and be empowered for global witness (Acts 1:8). The scene reveals that even those closest to the Lord can struggle profoundly with faith, yet God’s grace is sufficient to confront and transform.