Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

MARK 16:14KJV
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Mark 16:14 (KJV)

What does Mark 16:14 mean?

Mark 16:14 describes Jesus appearing to the eleven remaining disciples as they were eating, and strongly criticizing them for not believing the reports from those who had seen him alive after his resurrection. The verse highlights the disciples’ initial doubt and stubbornness even after hearing eyewitness accounts.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking directly to his closest followers after his resurrection. The eleven refers to the disciples minus Judas Iscariot. The verse shows that Jesus did not ignore their disbelief; instead, he confronted their “unbelief and hardness of heart,” pointing out that they had refused to accept the testimony of others who had already seen him risen. This moment sets the stage for Jesus to commission his followers, emphasizing the importance of faith in the resurrection.

The Greek behind Mark 16:14

  • “Upbraided” (ὠνείδισεν, ōneidisen): This Greek word means to rebuke or reproach sharply. The use of this word shows that Jesus did not gently correct the disciples, but rather spoke to them sternly about their lack of faith.
  • “Unbelief” (ἀπιστία, apistia): This word means a refusal or failure to believe. Here, it points to more than just doubt—it suggests a stubborn resistance to accepting the truth of the resurrection.
  • “Hardness of heart” (σκληροκαρδία, sklērokardia): This phrase refers to being stubborn or unresponsive, especially toward spiritual truth. It highlights that the disciples’ problem was not just intellectual doubt, but a deeper unwillingness to accept what had happened.

Why Mark 16:14 matters

  • Mark 16:14 clarifies that even Jesus’ closest followers struggled to believe in his resurrection at first, which can help readers understand the human side of the disciples.
  • The verse emphasizes that eyewitness testimony about Jesus’ resurrection was not automatically accepted, underlining the significance of faith and trust.
  • This confrontation prepares the disciples for their future role as witnesses, showing that their faith was not immediate but grew through direct encounters with the risen Jesus.

Where else these words appear

“heart” Greek G4641 · used in 3 verses

  • Matthew 19:8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
  • Mark 10:5 And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.

“eleven” Greek G1733 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 28:16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
  • Luke 24:9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.
  • Acts 1:26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

“upbraided” Greek G3679 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
  • Mark 15:32 Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.
  • 1 Timothy 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

“Afterward” Greek G5305 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
  • Matthew 21:37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
  • Luke 4:2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.