Luke 24:11

Analysis & Commentary

And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. The apostles' response reveals natural human skepticism toward resurrection. The phrase seemed to them as idle tales (ephainonto enōpion autōn hōsei lēros, ἐφαίνοντο ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν ὡσεὶ λῆρος) is devastating—lēros (λῆρος) means nonsense, delusion, old wives' tales. This rare word (used only here in the New Testament) expresses utter dismissal. The imperfect tense "seemed" (ephainonto, ἐφαίνοντο) indicates their continuing disbelief as the women testified.

The stark statement and they believed them not (kai ēpistoun autais, καὶ ἠπίστουν αὐταῖς) uses the imperfect tense for ongoing disbelief. Despite Jesus' multiple passion predictions, despite the women's consistent testimony, despite multiple witnesses, the apostles refused to believe. Their skepticism wasn't noble caution but culpable unbelief—Jesus had told them this would happen (Luke 9:22, 18:31-33), yet they dismissed clear evidence.

This verse actually strengthens the resurrection's credibility. Had disciples fabricated the story, they wouldn't record their own foolish unbelief or the women's superior faithfulness. The historical honesty is striking. More importantly, it shows that resurrection faith doesn't come naturally—it requires divine revelation and Spirit-given illumination. Even proximity to Jesus, hearing His predictions, and receiving eyewitness testimony proved insufficient without God opening minds to believe (verse 45).

Historical Context

First-century attitudes toward women's testimony contributed to the apostles' skepticism. Jewish law generally didn't accept women as witnesses in court. Josephus wrote, "Let not the testimony of women be admitted, on account of the levity and boldness of their sex." This cultural bias, combined with the inherent incredibility of resurrection, led to dismissal of the women's report.

Yet this skepticism actually serves apologetic purposes. The apostles weren't credulous fools predisposed to believe wild claims. They were hardened skeptics who required overwhelming evidence. Their transformation from scoffing unbelief (verse 11) to bold proclamation (Acts 2:14-40) demands explanation. The only sufficient cause is the risen Christ appearing to them repeatedly (Luke 24:34, 36-43, Acts 1:3, 1 Corinthians 15:5-8).

Questions for Reflection

• What does the apostles' initial unbelief teach about the human heart's natural resistance to supernatural truth?
• How does their skepticism actually strengthen the historical case for resurrection rather than weakening it?
• Why does Scripture honestly record the disciples' failures and foolishness rather than editing them out?