Explore the various reasons that made it difficult for the disciples to believe in the resurrection of Jesus, considering their experiences, expectations, and cultural influences.

Questions

Why was it difficult for the disciples to believe that Jesus had resurrected?
List and explain the reasons for their disbelief.

Answers

It was challenging for the disciples to accept the resurrection of Jesus due to several factors, which included their direct experiences during and after Jesus’ crucifixion. They had personally witnessed His death and burial, which created a firm mental image of finality that made it hard to reconcile with the idea of resurrection.
The detailed reasons for their disbelief are as follows:
- Witnessed His Death and Burial: The disciples were present during the crucifixion and saw Jesus die. They also witnessed His burial, which contributed to their certainty that He was dead and thus, resurrection seemed implausible.
- Report from Women: The news of Jesus’ resurrection was first brought to them by women. In that cultural context, women were often not taken seriously, and their testimony was undervalued, leading to skepticism regarding the resurrection claim.
- Lack of Faith: The disciples exhibited a lack of faith, which was a significant barrier to accepting the resurrection. Their struggles during Jesus’ passion and subsequent fear likely clouded their ability to believe in miraculous events.
- Expectations of a Political Messiah: The disciples had anticipated that Jesus would be a political Messiah who would triumph over Roman oppression. The idea of a suffering and dying Messiah was contrary to their expectations, making it difficult to accept His resurrection.
- Conflicting Information: There were various accounts and claims about Jesus’ resurrection, which created confusion and doubt among the disciples. The presence of differing narratives made it harder for them to come to a consensus on what had occurred.
- Guarded Tomb: The fact that the tomb was guarded by Roman soldiers added to their disbelief. They may have thought that if the tomb were truly empty, the guards would have prevented any tampering or theft of the body.
- Historical Background on Resurrection: The disciples’ historical and cultural backgrounds influenced their understanding of resurrection. Many Jews believed in a general resurrection at the end of times rather than an individual resurrection occurring in the middle of history, which created additional barriers to belief.
- Ignorance of Jesus’ Divine Nature: The disciples were still grappling with the full understanding of Jesus’ divine nature. Their limited comprehension of who Jesus was made it difficult to accept the idea that He could rise from the dead.