John 20:20

And when he had so said, he shewed unto them [his] hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

And {G2532} when he had {G2036} so {G5124} said {G2036}, he shewed {G1166} unto them {G846} his hands {G5495} and {G2532} his {G846} side {G4125}. Then {G3767} were {G5463} the disciples {G3101} glad {G5463}, when they saw {G1492} the Lord {G2962}.

Having greeted them, he showed them his hands and his side. The talmidim were overjoyed to see the Lord.

After He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

And when he had said this, he showed unto them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord.

Commentary

Context

John 20:20 immediately follows Jesus' first post-resurrection appearance to His disciples, who were gathered in a room with locked doors for fear of the Jewish authorities (John 20:19). Having greeted them with "Peace be unto you," Jesus then provides undeniable physical proof of His identity and resurrection. This moment is crucial for transitioning the disciples from fear and sorrow to faith and understanding, setting the stage for their future commission.

Key Themes

  • Verification of the Resurrection: The act of showing His hands and side directly addresses any potential doubt, confirming that He was indeed the same Jesus who had been crucified. These visible wounds were the irrefutable evidence that His death was real and His resurrection was physical, not merely spiritual. This proof was particularly significant, as seen later with Thomas's need for similar tangible evidence.
  • The Joy of the Disciples: Upon seeing the Lord alive and bearing the marks of His passion, the disciples' fear and despair transformed into profound "gladness." This profound emotional shift underscores the immense impact of Christ's victory over death and the realization of His promises. This gladness is a recurring theme in the Gospels whenever the disciples truly grasp Jesus' identity and mission (compare Luke 24:41).
  • Authenticity of Christ's Body: By displaying His wounds, Jesus demonstrated that His resurrected body was not a ghost or illusion, but a real, tangible body, albeit glorified. This emphasis on the physical reality of His resurrection is foundational to Christian doctrine.
  • The Enduring Significance of His Sacrifice: The hands and side, bearing the marks of the nails and the spear (John 19:34), served as perpetual reminders of His atoning work on the cross. Even in His resurrected glory, Jesus carried the evidence of His love and sacrifice for humanity.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "shewed" (edeixen, ἔδειξεν) implies a clear, undeniable demonstration. It wasn't a casual gesture but a purposeful unveiling designed to remove all doubt. The word for "glad" (echarēsan, ἐχάρησαν) signifies a deep, overflowing joy, a stark contrast to the fear and sorrow that had gripped the disciples just moments before. This joy is a direct result of seeing the Lord, signifying not just relief, but profound spiritual delight.

Significance and Application

John 20:20 provides foundational assurance for believers today. The physical evidence of Jesus' resurrection validates His claims and the entire Christian message. His wounds, though symbols of suffering, become eternal emblems of His victory and the depth of His love for humanity, reminding us of the immense cost of our redemption. For us, this verse teaches that:

  • Faith is Grounded in Reality: Our faith is not based on wishful thinking but on the historical, verifiable resurrection of Jesus Christ.
  • His Presence Brings Peace and Joy: Like the disciples, when we encounter the reality of Christ, fear and uncertainty are replaced by His promised peace and overwhelming joy.
  • The Sacrifice is Ever Present: The wounds of Christ remind us of His enduring sacrifice and the power of His atoning work, which remains effective for all who believe.

This verse is a powerful testament to the triumph of life over death and the unwavering faithfulness of God.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 16:22

    And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

  • John 16:20

    Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

  • John 20:27

    Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust [it] into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

  • 1 John 1:1

    ¶ That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

  • Luke 24:39

    Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

  • Luke 24:41

    And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?

  • John 19:34

    But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
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