John 20:9

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 20:9 offers a profound insight into the initial bewilderment of Jesus' disciples upon discovering the empty tomb. It reveals that despite their close association with Jesus and His teachings, they had not yet grasped the scriptural necessity of His resurrection from the dead. This verse underscores the human limitation in comprehending divine truth without spiritual illumination, setting the stage for Jesus' subsequent appearances and the Holy Spirit's work in opening their understanding to the full implications of His victory over death.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the dramatic scene in which Mary Magdalene, Simon Peter, and the "other disciple" (John) investigate the empty tomb. Mary Magdalene first reports the stone removed and the body gone in [John 20:1](/john/20-1 "John 20:1 - Mary Magdalene Discovers the Empty Tomb"). Peter and John then race to the tomb, with John arriving first and seeing the linen cloths lying there, and Peter entering to observe the neatly folded burial cloth for Jesus' head. While they saw the physical evidence of the empty tomb and the orderly grave clothes, [John 20:8](/john/20-8 "John 20:8 - The Other Disciple Sees and Believes") notes that the "other disciple" saw and believed, but the nature of this belief is clarified by verse 9 as not yet a full comprehension of the resurrection itself. Their initial reaction was one of confusion and perhaps even despair, rather than immediate recognition of fulfilled prophecy.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Judaism held diverse beliefs regarding resurrection, primarily influenced by the Pharisees' belief in a general resurrection at the end of time. However, the concept of a Messiah who would die a shameful death on a cross and then rise again was profoundly counter-cultural and scandalous to both Jews and Gentiles ([1 Corinthians 1:23](/1_corinthians/1-23 "1 Corinthians 1:23 - Christ Crucified, a Stumbling Block")). Jewish messianic expectations largely centered on a conquering king who would liberate Israel from Roman rule, not a suffering servant who would be executed and then resurrected. Even Jesus' own disciples, deeply steeped in these cultural expectations, struggled to reconcile His teachings about His impending death and resurrection with their preconceived notions, leading to their lack of understanding even after witnessing the empty tomb.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within John's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **Initial Blindness and Limited Understanding**, demonstrating that even those closest to Jesus, who had heard His explicit prophecies about His death and resurrection (e.g., [John 2:19-22](/john/2-19-22 "John 2:19-22 - Jesus Foretells His Resurrection")), did not fully grasp their implications until after the event and subsequent divine illumination. This underscores the **Centrality of the Resurrection** as the cornerstone of Christian faith; it was not an unexpected anomaly but a divinely ordained necessity, foretold in the Scriptures. Furthermore, [John 20:9](/john/20-9 "John 20:9 - Disciples' Lack of Understanding") reinforces the theme of **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, emphasizing the accuracy and reliability of God's Word. The Old Testament contained numerous prophecies regarding the Messiah's suffering, death, and ultimate triumph over death, which the disciples had not yet connected to Jesus' experience, necessitating His post-resurrection explanations as seen in [Luke 24:44-45](/luke/24-44-45 "Luke 24:44-45 - Jesus Explains the Scriptures").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **knew (Greek, _eídō'_):** From G1492. This verb, primarily meaning "to see" (literally or figuratively), is used in its perfect tense here to imply "to know." The disciples had *seen* the empty tomb, but they had not yet *known* or understood the profound theological truth that the Scriptures foretold regarding Jesus' resurrection. It denotes a lack of comprehensive, spiritual apprehension rather than a mere lack of information.
* **scripture (Greek, _graphḗ'_):** From G1124. This term refers to "holy Writ," specifically the Old Testament writings. It signifies the authoritative, inspired Word of God. The disciples were familiar with the Scriptures, but their understanding of how these texts pointed to the Messiah's death and resurrection was incomplete or obscured by their expectations. The problem was not a lack of access to the text, but a lack of illuminated insight into its meaning concerning Jesus.
* **must rise again (Greek, _deî anístēmi'_):** Composed of G1163 (_deî_), meaning "it is necessary" or "it ought," conveying a sense of divine obligation or preordained purpose, and G450 (_anístēmi_), meaning "to stand up," "arise," or "raise up." This phrase powerfully conveys that Christ's resurrection was not accidental or merely a possibility, but an essential, divinely mandated component of God's redemptive plan, foretold in the sacred texts. It was a theological necessity for the Messiah to conquer death.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For as yet they knew not the scripture":** This clause provides the explanatory reason for the disciples' initial confusion and lack of immediate belief in the resurrection. Despite having spent years with Jesus and having heard His own predictions of His death and resurrection, their understanding of the Old Testament prophecies concerning these events was incomplete. "As yet" (G3764 _oudépō_) emphasizes that their comprehension was still developing, awaiting further revelation. They possessed the text of Scripture but lacked the spiritual insight to connect it directly to the unfolding events of Jesus' passion and triumph.
* **"that he must rise again from the dead":** This second clause specifies the particular truth from Scripture that they had not yet grasped. The phrase "must rise again" (G1163 _deî_ G450 _anístēmi_) highlights the divine necessity and preordained nature of the resurrection. It was not an optional or incidental event, but a fundamental requirement of God's redemptive plan, foreshadowed throughout the Old Testament. Their failure to understand this meant they could not fully comprehend the significance of the empty tomb or Jesus' identity as the prophesied Messiah who would conquer death.

#### Literary Devices
John 20:9 employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Irony** is prominent, as the disciples, who had been eyewitnesses to Jesus' miracles and teachings, and who possessed the very Scriptures that foretold these events, still failed to grasp the most crucial truth of all: the Messiah's resurrection. This highlights the human tendency to overlook or misinterpret divine truth even when it is plainly presented. The verse also functions as a form of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the greater revelation and understanding that would come later, particularly through Jesus' post-resurrection appearances and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which would "open their minds to understand the Scriptures" ([Luke 24:45](/luke/24-45 "Luke 24:45 - Jesus Opens Their Minds")). Furthermore, there is a clear **Contrast** between the disciples' limited human understanding and the divine, preordained necessity of Christ's resurrection, emphasizing God's sovereign plan unfolding despite human comprehension.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 20:9 is a pivotal verse, underscoring that the resurrection of Jesus was not a surprise event but the culmination of God's eternal plan, meticulously prophesied in the Old Testament. The disciples' initial ignorance highlights the need for divine illumination to truly comprehend God's Word. It teaches us that while the Scriptures contain truth, a deeper, spiritual understanding is often required, which the Holy Spirit provides. The resurrection is presented as a divine "must," signifying its absolute necessity for the fulfillment of God's redemptive purposes and for securing salvation for humanity. This truth forms the very bedrock of Christian faith, transforming despair into hope and validating Jesus' claims as the Messiah.

* [Luke 24:25-27](/luke/24-25-27 "Luke 24:25-27 - Jesus Explains the Scriptures to the Disciples on the Emmaus Road")
* [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel Message: Christ Died and Rose Again")
* [Acts 17:2-3](/acts/17-2-3 "Acts 17:2-3 - Paul Reasons from the Scriptures about Christ's Suffering and Resurrection")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The disciples' initial struggle to understand the resurrection, even after witnessing the empty tomb, serves as a powerful reminder for believers today. It teaches us that intellectual knowledge of Scripture, while vital, is insufficient without spiritual illumination. We, like the disciples, must diligently engage with God's Word, praying for the Holy Spirit to open our minds to its deeper truths and connections, especially concerning the centrality of Christ's death and resurrection. This verse encourages humility in our understanding, acknowledging that God's plans often transcend our immediate comprehension or expectations. Ultimately, John 20:9 calls us to anchor our faith not merely in historical events, but in the divinely ordained necessity and power of the resurrection, which assures us of victory over sin and death, and the promise of eternal life in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your faith or understanding of Scripture do you feel you are "as yet" lacking full comprehension, and how might you seek deeper insight?**
* **How does the "must" of Christ's resurrection impact your understanding of God's sovereign plan and the certainty of His promises?**
* **What practical steps can you take to allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate Scripture for you, moving beyond mere intellectual assent to spiritual understanding?**
* **How does the resurrection of Jesus serve as the foundation of your hope and assurance in the face of life's challenges or uncertainties?**

### FAQ

**Why didn't the disciples understand the Scriptures about the resurrection, even after Jesus had told them?**

Answer: The disciples' lack of understanding stemmed from a combination of factors. First, their deeply ingrained Jewish messianic expectations focused on a conquering king, making the concept of a suffering and dying Messiah difficult to reconcile, let alone one who would rise from the dead after such a shameful execution. Second, grief and fear following Jesus' crucifixion likely clouded their judgment and memory. Third, and most crucially, they lacked the full illumination of the Holy Spirit, who Jesus promised would guide them into all truth ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth Will Guide You")). It was only after Jesus' post-resurrection appearances and the subsequent outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost that their minds were truly opened to comprehend these truths ([Luke 24:45](/luke/24-45 "Luke 24:45 - Jesus Opens Their Minds")).

**Which Old Testament Scriptures are implied by John 20:9 regarding Jesus' resurrection?**

Answer: While John 20:9 doesn't specify particular verses, the Old Testament contains numerous prophecies that, in retrospect, point to the Messiah's suffering, death, and resurrection. These include passages like [Psalm 16:10](/psalms/16-10 "Psalm 16:10 - You Will Not Abandon My Soul to Sheol"), which speaks of not letting God's Holy One see corruption; [Isaiah 53:10-12](/isaiah/53-10-12 "Isaiah 53:10-12 - The Suffering Servant's Triumph"), which describes the suffering servant seeing his offspring and prolonging his days after making an offering for sin; and [Hosea 6:2](/hosea/6-2 "Hosea 6:2 - After Two Days He Will Revive Us"). Jesus Himself alluded to the sign of Jonah ([Matthew 12:39-40](/matthew/12-39-40 "Matthew 12:39-40 - The Sign of Jonah")) as a prophecy of His three days and three nights in the earth. The disciples, after the Spirit's illumination, would later preach extensively from these and other Old Testament texts to demonstrate Christ's resurrection ([Acts 2:25-32](/acts/2-25-32 "Acts 2:25-32 - Peter Preaches from Psalm 16")).

**How did the disciples eventually come to understand this truth, and what was the significance of their understanding?**

Answer: The disciples' understanding came primarily through two means: Jesus' post-resurrection appearances and teachings, and the empowering work of the Holy Spirit. During the forty days after His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples multiple times, explaining to them "what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself" ([Luke 24:27](/luke/24-27 "Luke 24:27 - Jesus Explains the Scriptures")). He "opened their minds to understand the Scriptures" ([Luke 24:45](/luke/24-45 "Luke 24:45 - Jesus Opens Their Minds")). This process culminated with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost ([Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1-4 "Acts 2:1-4 - The Coming of the Holy Spirit")), which gave them spiritual insight, boldness, and the ability to proclaim the resurrection with power and conviction. Their understanding transformed them from fearful, confused individuals into bold apostles, ready to preach the Gospel to the world, recognizing the resurrection as the cornerstone of God's redemptive plan and the validation of Jesus' identity as the Son of God ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Declared Son of God by Resurrection")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 20:9, by highlighting the disciples' initial ignorance of the scriptural necessity of Jesus' resurrection, powerfully underscores the Christ-centered nature of all Scripture and the pivotal role of the resurrection in God's redemptive plan. The Old Testament, though containing numerous prophecies of the Messiah, remained a partially sealed book to the disciples until the actual event of the resurrection and the subsequent illumination by the risen Christ and the Holy Spirit. Jesus, in His post-resurrection appearances, specifically "opened their minds to understand the Scriptures" ([Luke 24:45](/luke/24-45 "Luke 24:45 - Jesus Opens Their Minds")), revealing how "everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled" ([Luke 24:44](/luke/24-44 "Luke 24:44 - Jesus Explains the Scriptures")). The resurrection thus serves as the definitive key that unlocks the Old Testament, demonstrating that all its types, shadows, and prophecies ultimately point to Christ. It is through His triumph over death that the promises made to Abraham, the Davidic covenant, and the prophecies of a new covenant are fulfilled, establishing Jesus as the promised Messiah, the Lord, and the giver of new life ([Acts 2:36](/acts/2-36 "God Has Made Him Both Lord and Christ")). The resurrection is not merely a historical event, but the ultimate validation of Jesus' divine identity and His finished work on the cross, making Him the central figure and fulfillment of all God's redemptive purposes, providing the foundation for our faith and the hope of our own resurrection ([1 Corinthians 15:20-22](/1_corinthians/15-20-22 "Christ, the Firstfruits of Resurrection")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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

¶ 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: