But some doubted...

by Bart Denny

“The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but some doubted.”
—Matthew 28:16–17 (CSB)

I try to be faithful to Scripture when I write or preach. I want to draw out lessons and apply them to daily life without saying more than the text itself says. My goal is to dig deep into God’s Word and share what I find—without putting words in God’s mouth.

But I can’t help wondering—have you ever heard someone really focus on that last phrase in Matthew 28:17?

“But some doubted.”

In the very presence of the risen Christ—after seeing Him crucified, buried, and now alive—the disciples worshiped. And yet… some doubted.

That moment has always fascinated me.

We often say, “seeing is believing.” But here were disciples looking at Jesus with their own eyes, and still, something inside them wavered. Was it too good to be true? Could it really be Him? After everything they’d seen—the horror of the cross, the despair of His death—how could this be real?

But it was. Jesus stood before them. Alive. Speaking. Receiving worship. About to commission them to go into all the world.

And still… some doubted.

Doubt in the Midst of Worship

If we’re honest, many of us know exactly what that feels like. We sing on Sunday mornings. We lift our hands in worship. We declare that Jesus is Lord. And yet, somewhere deep inside, there’s a flicker of uncertainty.

We’re not supposed to talk about it—not in church, not in small groups, certainly not from the pulpit. But it’s there.

Sometimes, I have my doubts.

Now, if I said that out loud, I imagine a few well-meaning friends might quote James 1:5–7 at me:

“But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind…”

And yes, James has a point. But let’s not forget—James himself was once a doubter. The Gospels tell us Jesus’ own siblings, including James, didn’t believe in Him during His earthly ministry. They’d grown up with Him. Played together. Worked alongside Him. It must have seemed impossible that their big brother was the promised Messiah.

Doubters Who Became Bold

And what about Thomas? He gets a bad rap, but Thomas only asked for what the others had already received—a firsthand encounter with the risen Christ. Once he saw the scars, Thomas declared, “My Lord and my God.” According to tradition, he went on to bring the Gospel to India and perhaps beyond.

All of them—Thomas, James, the disciples on that Galilean mountain—were transformed. But it didn’t happen instantly. It took time. Encounter. Grace.

And they saw Jesus with their own eyes.

We haven’t.

Where My Doubts Creep In

Here’s the strange thing about my own doubts: I don’t struggle to believe that Jesus rose from the dead. I accept the resurrection as fact. I believe in miracles. I believe God can do anything—raise the dead, part seas, walk on water.

My doubts aren’t about God’s power. They’re about people.

More specifically, I wrestle with doubt when I look at Christians—including myself—and wonder:

Why aren’t we better?

I get it—none of us is perfect. Sanctification is a process. The Spirit works in us over time. Grace, not legalism.

But still... if the Gospel really changes lives, shouldn’t we see more change?

Why does the Church so often mirror the world?
Why is the divorce rate among Christians no better?
Why do politics bring out the worst in us?
Why so many scandals among Christian leaders?
Why so much exclusion in a place that should embody welcome?
Why do so many churches seem like performance halls instead of places of prayer?
Why do some pastors live in luxury while their neighbors live in poverty?

And why—if we believe the greatest news in the universe—does it sometimes feel like we’re just going through the motions?

A Moment of Honesty

Sometimes, right there in worship—like the Eleven on that Galilean hill—I’ve doubted.

Not because Jesus failed me. Not because I don’t believe the tomb is empty. But because I look around and wonder if we’ve missed the point. I wonder if we’ve traded the power of the Gospel for something shallow, something safe, something cultural.

But then I remember: even in the presence of the risen Christ, some doubted.

And yet Jesus still gave them the Great Commission.

He still used them.

He still sent them.

Doubt didn’t disqualify them—it became part of their story. A real, human struggle that gave way to bold, Spirit-filled mission.

So if you’ve ever sat in a pew and wondered, “What’s wrong with us?”
If you’ve ever looked around and thought, “Shouldn’t we be more like Jesus by now?”
If you’ve ever worshiped with your lips while questioning in your heart—

You’re not alone.

You’re in good company.

And you’re still invited into the mission of God.

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About the author:

Bart Denny is a retired U.S. naval officer and a pastor with a heart for church revitalization. He holds a Ph.D. in Christian Leadership, with dissertation research focused on revitalizing small churches. Bart has served as a lead pastor, seminary instructor, and mentor to emerging leaders, helping local churches reclaim their mission through prayer, preaching, and Christ-centered leadership.