Mark 16:11

11 But they, when they were told that He was alive and that she had seen Him, could not believe it.

Mark 16:11 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 16:11

And they, when they had heard that he was alive
That is, the apostles, and those that were with them; when they heard the report of Mary Magdalene, that Christ was raised from the dead, and was certainly alive; or of all the women, for the Syriac version reads, "when they heard them saying that he was alive", not only Mary Magdalene, but Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women; for these all related this to the apostles, and the rest; see ( Luke 24:9 Luke 24:10 ) .

And had been seen of her;
of Mary Magdalene, or "of them"; as the Syriac version reads, and as it is read in one of Beza's copies:

they believed not;
the words of Mary, and the other women, for they seemed as idle tales to them, ( Luke 24:11 ) , imagining they were deceived with the sight of a spectre, or apparition; and fearing the news were too good and great to be true; forgetting the words of their Lord, that he should rise again the third day, and which had been so often repeated to them; and all this through stupidity of mind, occasioned by the trouble and consternation they were in.

Mark 16:11 In-Context

9 [But He rose to life early on the first day of the week, and appeared first to Mary of Magdala from whom He had expelled seven demons.

10 She went and brought the tidings to those who had been with Him, as they were mourning and weeping.

11 But they, when they were told that He was alive and that she had seen Him, could not believe it.

12 Afterwards He showed Himself in another form to two of them as they were walking, on their way into the country.

13 These, again, went and told the news to the rest; but not even them did they believe.