And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.

MARK 16:13KJV
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Mark 16:13 (KJV)

What does Mark 16:13 mean?

Mark 16:13 says that when some followers of Jesus went and told the rest of the disciples that they had seen Him alive, the others did not believe them. This verse highlights the ongoing doubt and disbelief among Jesus’ closest followers after His resurrection.

The setting is after Jesus’ resurrection, when two disciples (often understood as those who met Jesus on the road to Emmaus) reported their experience to the remaining group of disciples. Despite hearing firsthand accounts from trusted friends, the group still struggled to accept that Jesus had truly risen from the dead. This moment shows the real human difficulty in believing something so unexpected, even from reliable witnesses.

The Greek behind Mark 16:13

  • "residue" (οἱ λοιποί, hoi loipoi; transliteration: loipoi): This word refers to "the rest" or "the remaining ones," meaning the other disciples who had not yet seen Jesus themselves. It emphasizes that the message was brought to the whole group, not just a few.
  • "neither" (οὐδὲ, oude; transliteration: oude): This word means "not even" or "neither," showing that just as with earlier reports, these disciples also did not believe. It stresses the repeated disbelief, not just a one-time reaction.
  • "they believed" (ἐπίστευσαν, episteusan; transliteration: episteusan): This is the verb for "to believe" or "to trust." Here, it is used in the negative, underlining that the disciples did not accept the testimony, even from people they knew.

Why Mark 16:13 matters

  • Mark 16:13 clears up the idea that Jesus’ disciples were easily convinced about the resurrection; instead, it shows their honest skepticism and need for personal experience.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by building tension—multiple reports of Jesus’ resurrection are met with disbelief, setting up Jesus’ later appearance and rebuke for their lack of faith.
  • This verse helps readers see that faith in the resurrection was not automatic, even for those closest to Jesus, making their eventual belief more significant.