Why did the disciples initially "did not believe" the testimony of the two? The Setting: Two Witnesses Return from Emmaus • Mark 16:12-13: “Afterward, Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them as they walked along in the country. And they went back and reported it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.” • Luke 24:33-35 confirms the same scene: the two rush back to Jerusalem at night, find the Eleven, and excitedly testify, “The Lord has indeed risen!” Why Their Testimony Fell on Deaf Ears • Grief-clouded hearts – Luke 24:17 says the disciples stood “downcast.” Raw sorrow over the crucifixion dulled their spiritual perception. • Shock at the manner of Jesus’ death – Deuteronomy 21:23 teaches that a man hanged on a tree is “cursed.” Watching their Master die that way jarred their expectations of Messiah’s glory (cf. Luke 24:19-21). • Preconceived messianic expectations – Acts 1:6 shows they still dreamed of political deliverance. A suffering, risen Messiah wasn’t on their radar, so eyewitness news sounded implausible. • Fear of deception – Matthew 27:62-64 records the priests’ claim that disciples might “steal the body.” The Eleven knew that rumor was circulating; they were wary of being tricked. • Hardened unbelief noted by Jesus Himself – Mark 16:14 (next verse) states He “rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart.” Doubt, not lack of evidence, was the core issue. • Absence of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling – John 20:22 shows the Spirit breathed on them later. Before that, they lacked the inward witness that would confirm resurrection truth (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:12-14). Scripture That Anticipated Their Struggle • Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 foretold a suffering Messiah, yet first-century Jews focused on royal passages (e.g., Psalm 2). • Jesus predicted His death and resurrection repeatedly (Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:34), but the sayings “were hidden from them” (Luke 18:34). God’s Purpose in Recording Their Doubt • Underscores the bodily resurrection’s reality—these men were not predisposed to believe; their later conviction grew from incontrovertible proof (Acts 1:3). • Highlights divine grace—Christ meets doubters with evidence and peace (Luke 24:36-40). • Encourages modern readers—if such hand-picked apostles wrestled with unbelief, God understands our struggles and supplies faith through His Word (Romans 10:17). Takeaways for Today’s Disciple • Scripture is always trustworthy, even when circumstances jar our expectations. • Emotional pain can fog spiritual sight; bring grief to Christ rather than letting it harden the heart. • The risen Lord patiently confronts doubt with truth—through His Word, His Spirit, and credible witnesses. |
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