John20

Mary Magdalene discovers Jesus' empty tomb and later encounters the resurrected Lord, who sends her to inform the disciples of His impending ascension. That evening, Jesus appears to His disciples in a locked room, showing His wounds and bestowing the Holy Ghost upon them. Eight days later, Jesus appears again to Thomas, who had doubted, leading him to confess, "My Lord and my God." The chapter concludes by stating these events are written that readers might believe Jesus is the Christ and have life through His name.
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The Empty Tomb Discovered

1
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. ​
2
So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,” she said, “and we do not know where they have put Him!” ​
3
Then Peter and the other disciple set out for the tomb.
4
The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
5
He bent down and looked in at the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.
6
Simon Peter arrived just after him. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there.
7
The cloth that had been around Jesus’ head was rolled up, lying separate from the linen cloths. ​
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Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in. And he saw and believed. ​
9
For they still did not understand from the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead. ​
10
Then the disciples returned to their homes.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

11
But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent down to look into the tomb,
12
and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and the other at the feet. ​
13
“Woman, why are you weeping?” they asked. “Because they have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I do not know where they have put Him.”
14
When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there; but she did not recognize that it was Jesus. ​
15
“Woman, why are you weeping?” Jesus asked. “Whom are you seeking?” Thinking He was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried Him off, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.” ​
16
Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). ​
17
“Do not cling to Me,” Jesus said, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and tell My brothers, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’” ​
18
Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what He had said to her.

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

19
It was the first day of the week, and that very evening, while the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you!” He said to them. ​
20
After He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
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Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.” ​
22
When He had said this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ​
23
If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.” ​

Thomas Demands Proof

24
Now Thomas called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. ​
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So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails have been, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.” ​
26
Eight days later, His disciples were once again inside with the doors locked, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
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Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.” ​
28
Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!” ​
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Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” ​

The Purpose of John's Gospel

30
Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book. ​
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But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name. ​

Study Notes for John 20

Verse 1

The 'first day of the week' establishes Sunday as the day of resurrection. Mary Magdalene is the first witness, highlighting the early church's recognition of women in significant roles.

Verse 2

Mary’s initial assumption is that the body was stolen, reflecting confusion and lack of understanding regarding Jesus's repeated predictions of his resurrection.

Verse 7

The careful arrangement of the linen clothes (shroud) and the separate head napkin suggests that the body was not hastily stolen, which would have left the wrappings in disarray. This detail provides physical evidence against the body-snatching theory.

Verse 8

The Beloved Disciple 'saw, and believed.' His belief was based on the visual evidence of the orderly, empty tomb, moving beyond Mary's initial theft assumption.

Verse 9

This editorial comment explains why the disciples were initially surprised. Despite hearing Jesus teach from the Scriptures (e.g., Psalm 16:10), they did not yet fully comprehend the necessity of the resurrection.

Verse 12

Angels often appear in biblical accounts at moments of divine intervention or revelation, underscoring the supernatural significance of the resurrection event.

Verse 14

Mary’s inability to recognize Jesus immediately is a common feature in resurrection accounts. This emphasizes that the resurrection body possessed a mysterious, yet recognizable, quality.

Verse 15

Her mistake in assuming Jesus was the gardener highlights her grief and singular focus on the missing body. Jesus’s question forces her to articulate her deepest desire: finding the Lord.

Verse 16

Recognition comes only when Jesus speaks her name, illustrating that discipleship is based on hearing and recognizing the voice of the Shepherd (John 10:3). 'Rabboni' is a highly reverent form of 'Rabbi' (Teacher).

Verse 17

The command 'Touch me not' (Noli me tangere) likely means 'Do not cling to me.' Jesus is transitioning from his earthly ministry to his heavenly exaltation; he identifies his disciples as 'my brethren,' signifying the new family relationship established by the resurrection.

Verse 19

This appearance takes place on Resurrection Sunday evening. The closed doors affirm that Jesus’s resurrected body is not bound by physical limitations, yet he retains tangible, physical features.

Verse 21

This provides the Great Commission in John's Gospel, emphasizing that the disciples are sent into the world just as the Father sent the Son—as representatives of divine love and truth.

Verse 22

Jesus 'breathed on them,' mirroring the act of God breathing life into Adam (Gen. 2:7). This act symbolizes the impartation of the Spirit, equipping them for the new creation and their mission.

Verse 23

This authority relates to the proclamation of the Gospel. By declaring the terms of forgiveness (repentance and faith) and exercising church discipline, the disciples announce God’s judgment regarding who is forgiven or retained.

Verse 24

Thomas, whose name means Didymus (Twin), is singled out here. His absence from the first gathering sets the stage for a crucial lesson on the nature of faith.

Verse 25

Thomas demands empirical proof, refusing to rely on the collective testimony of the believing community. His insistence on touching the wounds highlights the depth of his doubt.

Verse 27

Jesus meets Thomas’s specific demands, demonstrating his omniscience and his patience. He offers the physical evidence not to satisfy curiosity, but to conquer doubt and establish belief.

Verse 28

Thomas’s confession is the climax of John’s Gospel, offering the highest Christological title: 'My Lord and my God.' This declaration affirms Jesus’s full deity, fulfilling the opening statement of the Gospel (John 1:1).

Verse 29

This verse pivots the focus from those who witnessed the historical resurrection to future generations. The truly blessed are those who believe based on testimony and the Spirit, not physical sight.

Verse 30

This verse indicates that the Gospel writer was selective in his material, choosing only those 'signs' that best served his overall purpose.

Verse 31

This verse serves as the original conclusion to John’s Gospel (before Chapter 21). The explicit purpose of the entire book is evangelistic and theological: to lead readers to faith in Jesus as the Christ, the divine Son, and thereby obtain eternal life.

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