What Old Testament prophecies relate to the resurrection disbelief in Mark 16:11? Setting the Scene BSB, Mark 16:11 — “And when they heard that Jesus was alive and she had seen Him, they did not believe it.” The women proclaim the resurrection, yet even the Lord’s closest followers refuse to accept the report. That very response had been foreseen centuries earlier. Prophecies Foretelling Unbelief toward the Messiah and His Rising “Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?” – Isaiah predicts widespread refusal to accept the Servant’s saving work, including His victory over death (vv. 10–12). “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” – Rejection of the Coming One—by those who should have welcomed Him—sets the stage for disbelief in His resurrection. “Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.” – The scattering of the disciples, prophesied here, naturally leads to their later doubt when the Shepherd rises. “All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads: ‘He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD deliver him…’ ” – Mockers assume God will not rescue the righteous sufferer; their attitude anticipates disbelief in resurrection deliverance. Prophecies Affirming the Resurrection Itself (which unbelief must confront) “For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.” “After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live before Him.” “Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust!” Though these verses plainly foretell rising from the dead, the prophecy of unbelief explains why the disciples initially resist believing the women’s testimony. Connecting the Dots • The OT repeatedly announces both a victorious resurrection and the tragic response of skepticism. • Mark 16:11 reveals the unbelief Isaiah lamented—“Who has believed our message?”—even among Jesus’ own followers. • Their doubt fulfills prophecies of rejection (Psalm 118), scattering (Zechariah 13), and mocking incredulity (Psalm 22). • By showcasing human hardness foretold long ago, Scripture magnifies the faithfulness of God, who raised His Son exactly as promised (Psalm 16; Hosea 6), whether people believed it at first or not. Takeaway The disciples’ disbelief in Mark 16:11 was no surprise to God; it was written into the prophetic script of redemption. Their eventual faith—and ours—stands as further proof that every word God has spoken is true. |
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