John 20:9

For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

For {G1063} as yet {G3764} they knew {G1492} not {G3764} the scripture {G1124}, that {G3754} he {G846} must {G1163} rise again {G450} from {G1537} the dead {G3498}.

(They had not yet come to understand that the Tanakh teaches that the Messiah has to rise from the dead.)

For they still did not understand from the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.

For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

Commentary

John 20:9 provides a crucial insight into the disciples' state of mind immediately after discovering the empty tomb. It explains their initial bewilderment and lack of understanding, setting the stage for Jesus' subsequent appearances and the eventual revelation of His resurrection's full meaning.

Context

This verse follows the dramatic scene where Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John visit the tomb and find it empty (John 20:1-8). While they observed the grave clothes neatly folded, they did not immediately grasp the profound implications. Their sorrow and confusion over Jesus' crucifixion had overshadowed their remembrance or understanding of His own prophecies concerning His death and resurrection. This verse highlights their human limitation in comprehending God's divine plan without spiritual revelation.

Key Themes

  • Initial Blindness and Limited Understanding: Even those closest to Jesus, who had heard His teachings firsthand, did not fully comprehend the necessity and manner of His resurrection. This underscores the need for spiritual insight to grasp divine truths.
  • The Centrality of the Resurrection: The verse implicitly emphasizes that Jesus' resurrection was not an unexpected event but a divinely ordained necessity, foretold in the Scriptures. It is the cornerstone of Christian faith and hope (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This verse points to the accuracy and reliability of God's Word. The Old Testament contained numerous prophecies regarding the Messiah's suffering and ultimate triumph over death, which the disciples had not yet connected to Jesus' experience (Luke 24:25-27).

Linguistic Insights

The term "scripture" (Greek: graphฤ“) refers specifically to the Old Testament writings. It signifies the authoritative, inspired Word of God that the disciples should have known. The phrase "must rise again" (Greek: dei anastฤ“nai) conveys a sense of divine necessity and preordained purpose, indicating that Christ's resurrection was not accidental but an essential part of God's redemptive plan.

Practical Application

John 20:9 offers several lessons for believers today:

  • Diligence in Scripture Study: Just as the disciples needed to understand the Scriptures, we are called to diligently study God's Word to grasp His truths and purposes.
  • Reliance on Spiritual Revelation: True understanding of biblical truth often requires the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit, beyond mere intellectual apprehension.
  • The Foundation of Our Hope: The resurrection of Jesus is not just a historical event but the living hope for believers, assuring us of victory over sin and death and the promise of eternal life.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 16:10

    For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

  • Isaiah 25:8

    He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken [it].

  • Isaiah 53:10

    ยถ Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put [him] to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong [his] days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

  • Isaiah 53:12

    Therefore will I divide him [a portion] with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

  • Isaiah 26:19

    Thy dead [men] shall live, [together with] my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew [is as] the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

  • Luke 24:44

    And he said unto them, These [are] the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and [in] the prophets, and [in] the psalms, concerning me.

  • Luke 24:46

    And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
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