Mark 16:13
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Mark 16:13
13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.
Chapter Context
Mark 16 is a action-oriented gospel chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of discipleship, fellowship, wisdom. Written during the mid first century CE (c. 65-70 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Composed during or just after Nero's persecution when eyewitnesses were disappearing.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it provides guidance for worship and spiritual devotion. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Mark and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Mark 16:13
13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.
Analysis
They went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them (κἀκεῖνοι ἀπελθόντες ἀπήγγειλαν τοῖς λοιποῖς· οὐδὲ ἐκείνοις ἐπίστευσαν, kakeinoi apelthontes apēngeilan tois loipois; oude ekeinois episteusan)—the residue (τοῖς λοιποῖς, "the remaining ones") means the rest of the disciples. The emphatic double negative οὐδὲ ἐκείνοις ("not even those") stresses stubborn unbelief even after multiple witnesses.
This repeated disbelief (cf. v.11) isn't mentioned to praise skepticism but to show human hardness requiring divine intervention. Even multiplied testimony couldn't penetrate their despair and doubt. Only Jesus' personal appearance and rebuke (v.14) broke through. The pattern continues: head-knowledge about resurrection differs vastly from heart-transforming encounter with the Risen Lord.
Historical Context
The early church preserved these embarrassing details about apostolic unbelief, arguing for honest historical transmission. If fabricating the story, why portray the apostles as stubborn skeptics? This matches Luke 24:36-43 where Jesus had to eat fish to prove He wasn't a ghost. First-century readers facing persecution needed to know even the apostles struggled to believe.
Reflection
- Why does God permit repeated testimony to be disbelieved before granting direct encounter?
- How does others' unbelief affect your own faith testimony—do you accommodate doubt or proclaim truth?
- What "residue" of unbelief lingers in your heart despite abundant evidence of Christ's work?
Word Studies
- Believe: πιστεύω (Pisteuo) G4100 - To believe, trust, have faith
Cross-References
- Faith: John 20:8, 20:25
- Parallel theme: Luke 16:31