New Testament · Gospel

Luke 24:11

The Road to Emmaus

But their words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women. Luke 24:11 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Luke 24:11, in plain English

But the apostles thought the women were talking nonsense and didn't believe a word of it.

Why it's here

Even the people closest to Jesus struggled to believe at first. If you've ever had doubts, you're in good company.

Who's speaking

Luke honestly records the disciples' disbelief.

Where it sits in the story

The very people who walked with Jesus for three years couldn't believe it. Faith doesn't always come easily — sometimes it takes time to catch up with truth.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

The apostles dismissed the women's testimony as lēros (Greek: 'idle talk, nonsense, delirium') and refused to believe them.

Language and setting

The term lēros was used in medical literature for the delirious babbling of the sick. The disciples' skepticism actually strengthens the historical case — they were not gullible believers.

Voice

The narrator describes the apostles' dismissive reaction to the women's report.

Significance

The initial unbelief of the apostles underscores that faith in the resurrection did not arise from wishful thinking but required overcoming deep skepticism.

In context

Luke 24:9–13

9And when they returned from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the others.

10It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles.

11But their words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women.

12Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. And after bending down and seeing only the linen cloths, he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

13That same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.

Read all of Luke 24 — Two disciples walking home in despair meet a stranger who opens the Scriptures. Their hearts burn. And then they recognize Him.

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