King James Version

What Does Mark 16:14 Mean?

Mark 16:14 in the King James Version says “Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart,... — study this verse from Mark chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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. at meat: or, together

Mark 16:14 · KJV


Context

12

After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.

13

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

14

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. at meat: or, together

15

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

16

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
After resurrection, Jesus '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' (ἐφανερώθη τοῖς ἕνδεκα ἀνακειμένοις, καὶ ὠνείδισεν τὴν ἀπιστίαν αὐτῶν καὶ σκληροκαρδίαν, ὅτι τοῖς θεασαμένοις αὐτὸν ἐγηγερμένον οὐκ ἐπίστευσαν). Jesus rebuked the eleven (Judas dead, replaced later by Matthias) for 'unbelief and hardness of heart' (apistian... sklērokardian, ἀπιστίαν... σκληροκαρδίαν). Despite multiple witnesses to resurrection, they disbelieved. 'Hardness of heart' echoes Jesus' earlier use (Mark 10:5) describing stubborn resistance to truth. Even disciples struggled with resurrection belief—this wasn't gullible acceptance of myth but reluctant conviction overcome by evidence. Thomas famously doubted until seeing Jesus (John 20:24-29). Jesus' rebuke shows that unbelief, even among disciples, deserves correction. Yet He didn't abandon them but commissioned them (vv. 15-18). Grace persists despite weakness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The disciples' initial unbelief despite women's testimony (Mark 16:10-11) and other witnesses shows resurrection wasn't expected or easily believed. First-century Jews believed in general resurrection at history's end (Daniel 12:2; Martha's confession, John 11:24) but not individual resurrection in history's middle. Greek philosophy rejected bodily resurrection as crude (Acts 17:32). Jesus appeared multiple times—to Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9; John 20:11-18), other women (Matthew 28:9-10), two disciples (Luke 24:13-35), Peter (Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5), the eleven (Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-23), Thomas (John 20:24-29), seven at Galilee (John 21), 500 at once (1 Corinthians 15:6), James (1 Corinthians 15:7), and at ascension (Acts 1:3-9). This multiple attestation convinced initially skeptical disciples, whose transformed lives (martyrdom for resurrection proclamation) authenticates their testimony.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the disciples' initial unbelief despite multiple witnesses strengthen rather than weaken resurrection credibility?
  2. What does Jesus' rebuke followed by commissioning teach about how He relates to weak, doubting disciples?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 20 words
Ὕστερον1 of 20

Afterward

G5305

more lately, i.e., eventually

ἀνακειμένοις2 of 20

sat at meat

G345

to recline (as a corpse or at a meal)

αὐτὸν3 of 20

as they

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

τοῖς4 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἕνδεκα5 of 20

unto the eleven

G1733

one and ten, i.e., eleven

ἐφανερώθη6 of 20

he appeared

G5319

to render apparent (literally or figuratively)

καὶ7 of 20

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὠνείδισεν8 of 20

upbraided

G3679

to defame, i.e., rail at, chide, taunt

τὴν9 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀπιστίαν10 of 20

unbelief

G570

faithlessness, i.e., (negatively) disbelief (lack of christian faith), or (positively) unfaithfulness (disobedience)

αὐτὸν11 of 20

as they

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ12 of 20

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

σκληροκαρδίαν13 of 20

hardness of heart

G4641

hard-heartedness, i.e., (specially), destitution of (spiritual) perception

ὅτι14 of 20

because

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

τοῖς15 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεασαμένοις16 of 20

them which had seen

G2300

to look closely at, i.e., (by implication) perceive (literally or figuratively); by extension to visit

αὐτὸν17 of 20

as they

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐγηγερμένον18 of 20

after he was risen

G1453

to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from

οὐκ19 of 20

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἐπίστευσαν20 of 20

they believed

G4100

to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 16:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 16:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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