Devine Scripture

Luke 24:11

What does Luke 24:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 24:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 24:11 means

Despite clear testimony, the apostles regard the women’s words as idle talk and do not believe them. This honest admission strengthens the credibility of the account: the first witnesses to the resurrection were not gullible or predisposed. Their skepticism reflects the depth of their grief and the sheer unexpectedness of resurrection. Yet unbelief does not negate truth; it merely delays joy. God will patiently supply confirming evidence. The apostles’ struggle also sets a baseline for faith: it must rest not on rumor but on repeated, reliable testimony and the Lord’s own appearance, which will soon follow.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And these words appeared in their sight as idle talk; and they disbelieved them.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And these words appeared in their sight as idle talk; and they disbelieved them.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But these words seemed foolish to them, and they had no belief in them.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and their sayings appeared before them as idle talk, and they were not believing them.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And these words seemed to them as idle tales: and they did not believe them.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And their words appeared in their eyes as an idle tale, and they disbelieved them.

Context

Following the named witness of verse 10, verse 11 records the apostles’ initial unbelief. This contrast heightens the drama and underscores the need for further verification. Peter will act on what he has heard (v. 12), and later Jesus Himself will appear to disciples on the road and to the gathered group. The flow shows progressive confirmation: report, investigation, Scripture explanation, and bodily appearances. Luke wants readers to know that Christian faith arose from stubborn facts and divine revelation, not credulity. The next verse initiates that investigative response through Peter’s sprint to the tomb.

v.10Now they were Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James: and the other women with them told these things unto the apostles.

v.11This passage

v.12But Peter arose, and ran unto the tomb; and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths by themselves; and he departed to his home, wondering at that which was come to pass.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 12:9

    And he went out, and followed; and he knew not that it was true which was done by the angel, but thought he saw a vision.

  • Luke 24:25

    And he said unto them, O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!

  • Psalms 126:1

    When Jehovah brought back those that returned to Zion, We were like unto them that dream.

  • 2 Kings 7:2

    Then the captain on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if Jehovah should make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.

  • Job 9:16

    If I had called, and he had answered me, Yet would I not believe that he hearkened unto my voice.

  • Genesis 19:14

    And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons-in-law, who married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for Jehovah will destroy the city. But he seemed unto his sons-in-law as one that mocked.

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