Mark 16:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.

NIV: Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

NASB: Later He appeared to the eleven disciples themselves as they were reclining at the table; and He reprimanded them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen from the dead.

CSB: Later he appeared to the Eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table. He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who saw him after he had risen.

NLT: Still later he appeared to the eleven disciples as they were eating together. He rebuked them for their stubborn unbelief because they refused to believe those who had seen him after he had been raised from the dead.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.

Readers of Mark would be excused for never questioning that this verse is original to the text. Though this verse was a later addition to Mark's Gospel, the content seems to fit with earlier parts of Mark. As recorded by Mark, Jesus has spent three years fighting the hard hearts of Pharisees, scribes, Herodians, and chief priests, but also, and perhaps most frustratingly, His disciples. The Twelve liked the perks of following an avant-garde rabbi (Mark 2:18, 23; 4:10, 34; 6:7–13; 7:1–2) and had no problem letting their insider position go to their heads (Mark 9:33–37, 38–41; 10:13–16, 35–45). But time and again they proved that Jesus' message didn't get into their hearts (Mark 8:14–21, 31–33).

However, this verse is not original to Mark. It is a summary of Luke 24:36–44 and John 20:19–29. Most likely, this was added in the form of a footnote, or addendum, which was mistakenly absorbed into the text itself by a later scribe.

Jesus appears to the disciples and other followers who are so startled and frightened at His appearance they think He is a spirit. He shows them the nail holes in His hands and feet and invites them to touch Him to see that He has flesh and bones. "They still disbelieved for joy and were marveling" (Luke 24:41; John 20:20). Jesus requested food and they gave Him some broiled fish to eat. It seems this is when the disciples began to understand. Jesus then "opened their minds to understand the Scriptures" about Messiah (Luke 24:44–49).

All of us have experienced hardships and difficulties that we know God has allowed but hasn't explained. Once we are through, we see the reason, whether for blessings or to prepare us for a greater work. The disciples have undergone the same thing. On the third time Jesus told the disciples of His coming death, Luke explains, "But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said" (Luke 18:34). Now, as Jesus explains what the Jewish Scriptures really say about the Messiah, "he open[s] their minds to understand the Scriptures" (Luke 24:45).

Clearly the disciples could not understand what was hidden from them, but they, like we, should have been faithful to what they were taught. We need to adopt Paul's charge to Timothy, "continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it" (2 Timothy 3:14). If we accept and act on what little we understand of God's plan, He will reveal more to us (Matthew 25:21).

Mark 16:14–20 is not part of the oldest, most trusted manuscripts of the Bible. Most of what this passage contains is covered in Matthew 28:16–20, Luke 24:36–43, and John 20:19–29. However, there are points on which these verses are unsubstantiated. The disciples finally realize Jesus will not overthrow the Romans, and they will not rule from twelve thrones, at least not yet (Matthew 19:28). First, they have work: spreading the message that Jesus has died for the sins of the world and is risen. In this mission, they will be able to perform miracles and endure dangers that would normally kill them.

After the mandatory time of rest, several of Jesus' female followers approach His tomb intending to anoint the body. Their primary concern is who will open the tomb for them so they can honor Jesus' remains. They arrive to find the tomb open, empty, and watched over by angels. After hearing from these beings (Luke 24:4–7), the women leave in fear, speaking only to the disciples. This ends the original, God-inspired text of the Gospel of Mark. Verses 9–20 are mostly corroborated by other Scripture, but were not part of the initial writing.

Leading up to chapter 16, Jesus has been unfairly tried and executed by crucifixion. Starting in this passage, Jesus' women followers find an empty tomb, but don't know what it means. Jesus' work for our salvation is done, but explaining that to His disciples will take another forty days (Acts 1:3). And telling the world is a work that will continue until His return. The resurrection and events after are also covered in Matthew 28, Luke 24, John 20—21, and Acts 1:1–11. The most reliable copies of the Gospel of Mark leave the disciples where they have spent much of the story: confused and afraid. Jesus is risen, but they haven't yet accepted that. Everything after verse 9 is most likely a later scribal addition.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.