And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.
believed.
Mark 16:13,14 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them…
Mark 9:19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.
Exodus 6:9 And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.
and she had seen Him
The "she" in this context is Mary Magdalene, who is mentioned earlier in the chapter as the first to witness the risen Christ. Her role is significant, as women were not considered reliable witnesses in first-century Jewish culture. This detail emphasizes the authenticity of the Gospel accounts, as such a testimony would not be fabricated if the story were invented. Mary's encounter with Jesus is a personal and transformative experience, reflecting the intimate nature of Christ's post-resurrection appearances (John 20:11-18).
they did not believe it
The disciples' disbelief is a recurring theme in the resurrection narratives (Luke 24:11, John 20:25). This skepticism serves to strengthen the credibility of the resurrection accounts, as it shows that even Jesus' closest followers were not predisposed to believe without evidence. Their eventual belief, following personal encounters with the risen Christ, underscores the transformative power of witnessing the resurrection firsthand. This disbelief also highlights the necessity of faith, a key component of Christian doctrine, as seen in Hebrews 11:1.
• The first audience for Mary Magdalene’s report is the band of disciples still huddled in fear (John 20:19).
• These men already possessed Jesus’ repeated prophecies about His resurrection (Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:34).
• Their hearing, then, is not casual; it confronts them with promises they once affirmed but have let slip under the weight of grief.
• Compare Acts 2:22-24, where Peter later proclaims what he once struggled to receive: “God raised Him up, releasing Him from the agony of death.”
• Mary’s news centers on the core of the gospel: a living Savior (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
• The statement affirms bodily resurrection, fulfilling Psalm 16:10 and Isaiah 53:11.
• Life triumphing over death verifies every claim Jesus made about His divine authority (John 11:25-26).
• Because He lives, believers are promised the same victory (Romans 6:9).
• Mary offers personal, eyewitness testimony: “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18).
• Scripture elevates eyewitnesses as credible proof (1 John 1:1-2; 2 Peter 1:16).
• The Lord chooses a once-demon-possessed woman (Luke 8:2) to be the first herald, underscoring grace and the reversal of human expectations (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).
• Multiple appearances will soon follow—two on the Emmaus road (Luke 24:13-35), ten apostles that evening (John 20:19-20), and more than five hundred at once (1 Corinthians 15:6).
• Despite hearing, the disciples remain locked in unbelief—an honest snapshot of human frailty (Luke 24:11).
• Their doubt magnifies God’s initiative: faith ultimately comes through divine revelation (John 20:29; Romans 10:17).
• The disciples’ transformation from skepticism to bold proclamation (Acts 4:13, 20) authenticates the resurrection; something happened that overcame this initial hardness.
• Their resistance also fulfills Jesus’ warning in Mark 14:27 that they would stumble, yet He would regather them in Galilee (Mark 16:7).
Mark 16:11 records the disciples’ first encounter with resurrection news: they hear, yet refuse to believe. The verse highlights the reliability of eyewitness testimony, the centrality of Christ’s bodily resurrection, and the weakness of human hearts that God graciously overcomes. The same risen Lord who met unbelieving disciples now calls every reader to trust His victory over death and live in its power.
Verse 11. - And they, when they heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, disbelieved (ἠπίστησαν). They refused to believe on the bare statement of Mary Magdalene, although M. Renan says, "Sa grande affirmation de femme, 'Il est res-suscitei' a ete la base de la foi de l'humanite." They did not believe her until the risen Lord stood before them. (See 'Speaker's Commentary' (St. Mark), p. 297.)