Topical Bible: The Resurrection of Christ: The Apostles: Reproved for Their Unbelief of

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The resurrection of Jesus Christ stands as a cornerstone of Christian faith, signifying victory over sin and death. However, the initial response of the apostles to the news of the resurrection was marked by skepticism and disbelief. This reaction is documented in the Gospels, where Jesus reproves His disciples for their lack of faith and understanding.

Scriptural Accounts

1. Mark 16:9-14: In the Gospel of Mark, the risen Christ first appears to Mary Magdalene, who then informs the disciples. Despite her testimony, they remain incredulous. "When they heard that Jesus was alive and she had seen Him, they did not believe it" (Mark 16:11). Later, Jesus appears to two disciples walking in the country, who also report back to the others, yet their account is met with disbelief. Finally, Jesus appears to the Eleven as they were eating and "rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen" (Mark 16:14).

2. Luke 24:9-11, 36-43: Luke's Gospel similarly records the initial skepticism of the apostles. When the women return from the empty tomb and relay the angelic message of Jesus' resurrection, "their words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women" (Luke 24:11). Later, Jesus Himself appears to the disciples, offering them peace and showing His hands and feet to dispel their doubts. Despite their joy, they still struggle to believe, prompting Jesus to eat in their presence to prove His physical resurrection.

3. John 20:24-29: The account of Thomas, often called "Doubting Thomas," further illustrates the apostles' struggle with belief. Thomas was not present when Jesus first appeared to the other disciples, and he famously declares, "Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe" (John 20:25). When Jesus later appears to Thomas, He invites him to touch His wounds, leading Thomas to proclaim, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28). Jesus gently reproves him, saying, "Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29).

Theological Implications

The apostles' initial unbelief underscores the extraordinary nature of the resurrection. Despite having witnessed Jesus' miracles and heard His predictions of His death and resurrection, the reality of His rising from the dead was beyond their comprehension. Their doubt serves to highlight the transformative power of the resurrection, as these same apostles would later become bold proclaimers of the risen Christ, even unto martyrdom.

The reproval of the apostles for their unbelief also serves as a reminder of the necessity of faith. Jesus' gentle correction points to the blessedness of those who believe without seeing, emphasizing faith as a central tenet of Christian life. The apostles' journey from doubt to faith mirrors the journey of many believers, illustrating the grace and patience of Christ in leading His followers to a deeper understanding and conviction of His resurrection and lordship.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Mark 16:14
Afterward he appeared to 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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

A Work of Reform.
... commandment extends past the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension ... employed against
Christ and His apostles,""Why do ... that the coming of Christ should be ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /26 a work of reform.htm

A Work of Reform
... commandment extends past the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension ... employed against
Christ and His apostles: "Why do ... God that the coming of Christ should be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 26 a work of.htm

Index of Subjects.
... Dress, sumptuousness of female, reproved, [313]166; simplicity ... 230; went before the
Apostles, [430]340 ... Mary, probably died before Christ's Resurrection, [523]20 ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/index of subjects.htm

Index of Subjects.
... 894]69; envious disposition of, [895]43; reproved by Heathens ... how to be judged by
the apostles, [913]392 ... punished, [920]457; madness of, against Christ, [921]477 ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/index of subjects.htm

Of Christ's Subsequent Manifestations of Himself to the Disciples ...
... it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer ... to each other about the Lord's
resurrection and about ... in bodily fashion which the Lord gave to the apostles. ...
/.../the harmony of the gospels/chapter xxv of christs subsequent manifestations.htm

The Thessalonian Letters
... we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ ... glory in the life, death,
and resurrection of Christ ... laboring with untiring zeal in the cause of Christ. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 25 the thessalonian letters.htm

Homilies on the Gospel of John.
... deformity of, [72]92; with servants, reproved, [73]93 ... Apostles, the, mission of,
[80]42; did not ... returned to their trade after Christ's Resurrection, [801]328 ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homilies on the gospel of.htm

The Critical Reconstruction of the History of the Apostolic Age.
... expiatory death of Christ and his resurrection were needless ... the Gentile converts
as brethren in Christ, but was ... allude to each other as fellow apostles, Comp. ...
/.../section 22 the critical reconstruction.htm

According to which principle or hypothesis all the objections ...
... or sayings of Christ and the apostles, and that it ... concerning the birth, life, miracles,
sufferings, resurrection, and ascension of Christ; so we do ...
/.../proposition vi according to which.htm

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... Earth, the, discourseth of a resurrection, [516]354. ... due to Christ's body, [552]141;
unworthy partakers waste Christ's blood, [553]161; Apostles patterns of ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm