And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.

MARK 16:11KJV
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Mark 16:11 (KJV)

What does Mark 16:11 mean?

Mark 16:11 says that when the disciples heard Mary Magdalene’s report that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe her. The verse highlights the disciples’ initial disbelief in Jesus’ resurrection, even when told by someone they knew.

Mary Magdalene had just seen the risen Jesus and told his followers, but they could not accept her testimony. This moment comes right after the resurrection, showing that even Jesus’ closest friends struggled to grasp or trust the news, setting the stage for later appearances where Jesus addresses their doubts directly.

The Greek behind Mark 16:11

  • "alive" (ζάω, zaō): This word means to be living or to have life. In this context, it emphasizes that Jesus was not just missing or taken, but truly alive again after death.
  • "seen" (θεάομαι, theaomai): This word means to look at or behold, often with the sense of seeing something remarkable. Here, it stresses that Mary’s report was based on firsthand experience, not hearsay.
  • "not" (οὐ, ou): This is a strong negative in Greek, showing that the disciples’ disbelief was definite and complete—they simply did not accept what they were told.

Why Mark 16:11 matters

  • Mark 16:11 clears up the idea that the disciples were expecting Jesus to rise; instead, it shows their real surprise and doubt, making their later belief more striking.
  • The verse emphasizes the importance of eyewitness testimony in the resurrection story, especially coming from Mary Magdalene, whose account was initially dismissed.
  • This moment connects to the wider theme in Mark 16 of Jesus’ followers moving from fear and disbelief to faith, highlighting the human struggle to accept something extraordinary.

Where else these words appear

“not” Greek G569 · used in 7 verses

  • Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
  • Luke 24:41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
  • Romans 3:3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

“they” Greek G2548 · used in 23 verses

  • Matthew 15:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
  • Luke 11:42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
  • John 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

“seen” Greek G2300 · used in 24 verses

  • Matthew 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
  • Luke 23:55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.
  • Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

“alive” Greek G2198 · used in 127 verses

  • Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
  • Romans 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
  • 1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.