What does Luke 24:11 mean?

The first humans to share that Jesus has risen from the dead are not believed.

The women saw Him on their way to tell the male disciples about an angel. The angel told them Jesus had risen. Jesus interrupts their path. They "took hold of his feet and worshiped him." Then He tells them to tell the men to meet Him in Galilee (Matthew 28:1–10).

A little later, Mary Magdalene meets Him. She thinks He's the gardener, at first, and asks where He's placed Jesus' body. Jesus says her name and she really looks. "Rabboni!" she says. Then she grasps Him so tightly that He needs to tell her to loosen up. Jesus tells her to tell the men He is risen and will ascend to the Father. Mary goes to the disciples and says, "I have seen the Lord" (John 20:11–18).

But the men don't believe. They think the women are telling them a fever dream. It's not because the first witnesses are women, it's because of their lack of faith in Jesus. Even after the confirmation of Jesus' appearance to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and to Peter (Luke 24:13–34), when Jesus comes into the room where the disciples are hiding, they are frightened, thinking He's a ghost. Jesus tells them "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see" (Luke 24:37–39).

This doubt will continue. Thomas isn't present when Jesus arrives; he doesn't believe until he sees Him eight days later (John 20:24–28). When Peter and John tell the Sanhedrin that Jesus has risen, they don't believe, either (Acts 4:1–22). But many do believe—thousands (Acts 2:41; 5:14). Even some of the priests (Acts 6:7).

The women, the men, and the church understand that our responsibility is to share the gospel—Jesus is risen! We can't make anyone believe. But, as Paul says, "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?" (Romans 10:14).