Peter, who typically dominates scenes with bold declarations, remains notably silent throughout this resurrection account while the beloved disciple takes the lead in both running and believing.
John 20
The Empty Tomb
1Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went early, while it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.
2Therefore she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have laid him!”
3Therefore Peter and the other disciple went out, and they went toward the tomb.
4They both ran together. The other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first.
5Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he didn’t enter in.
6Then Simon Peter came, following him, and entered into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying,
7and the cloth that had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself.
8So then the other disciple who came first to the tomb also entered in, and he saw and believed.
9For as yet they didn’t know the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
10So the disciples went away again to their own homes.
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
11But Mary was standing outside at the tomb weeping. So as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb,
12and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13They asked her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have laid him.”
14When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, and didn’t know that it was Jesus.
15Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?” She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”
16Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him, “Rabboni!” which is to say, “Teacher!”
17Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold me, for I haven’t yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
18Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her.
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
19When therefore it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the middle and said to them, “Peace be to you.”
20When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad when they saw the Lord.
21Jesus therefore said to them again, “Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.”
22When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit!
23If you forgive anyone’s sins, they have been forgiven them. If you retain anyone’s sins, they have been retained.”
Jesus and Thomas
24But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, wasn’t with them when Jesus came.
25The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
26After eight days, again his disciples were inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being locked, and stood in the middle, and said, “Peace be to you.”
27Then he said to Thomas, “Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.”
28Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
29Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
The Purpose of This Gospel
30Therefore Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book;
31but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
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Theme
John 20 presents the climactic resurrection accounts, beginning with Mary Magdalene's discovery of the empty tomb and her report to Peter and John. The chapter unfolds through Jesus's appearances to Mary, then to the gathered disciples (minus Thomas), and finally to Thomas himself, each encounter revealing different aspects of resurrection faith. John concludes by stating his Gospel's purpose: that readers might believe Jesus is the Christ and have eternal life through his name.
Context
This chapter serves as the climactic fulfillment of Jesus's promises throughout John's Gospel, transitioning from his death in chapter 19 to the post-resurrection commissioning that will continue in chapter 21.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-10 The Empty Tomb Discovered Mary Magdalene finds the tomb empty and reports to Peter and John, who investigate and begin to believe.
- 11-18 Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene Jesus reveals himself to the grieving Mary, commissioning her as the first witness to his resurrection.
- 19-23 Jesus Appears to the Disciples Jesus appears to the gathered disciples, bringing peace and commissioning them with the Holy Spirit.
- 24-29 Jesus and Doubting Thomas Thomas's doubt is transformed to faith when Jesus appears and invites him to touch his wounds.
- 30-31 The Purpose of John's Gospel John explains that these signs were recorded so readers might believe and have eternal life.
The Empty Tomb
20:1–20:10 gospel narration urgent
Mary Magdalene discovers the empty tomb and alerts Peter and the beloved disciple, who run to see the grave clothes left behind. The beloved disciple sees and believes, though they don't yet understand the Scripture about resurrection.
person_contrast
Peter, who typically dominates scenes with bold declarations, remains notably silent throughout this resurrection account while the beloved disciple takes the lead in both running and believing.
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
20:11–20:18 gospel narration joyful
Mary Magdalene encounters the risen Jesus at the tomb and becomes the first witness to proclaim his resurrection. Jesus commissions her to tell the disciples of his impending ascension to the Father.
person_contrast
Mary Magdalene's transformation from weeping mourner to commissioned apostle occurs through Jesus's single utterance of her name, making her the first "apostle to the apostles.
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
20:19–20:23 gospel narration joyful
Jesus appears to his disciples, granting them peace and commissioning them with authority to forgive sins through the Holy Spirit. The disciples rejoice upon seeing the risen Lord.
person_contrast
Jesus uniquely combines divine authority with the power to forgive sins, appearing only here and in Matthew 9:6 with both themes simultaneously.
Jesus and Thomas
20:24–20:29 gospel narration contemplative
Thomas doubts the resurrection until Jesus appears and invites him to touch his wounds, leading to Thomas's confession of faith. Jesus blesses those who believe without seeing.
person_contrast
Thomas, who typically appears in contexts of calling and discipleship, uniquely encounters resurrection blessing here, making this his only appearance linked to post-resurrection faith and divine benediction.
The Purpose of This Gospel
20:30–20:31 gospel instruction contemplative
The author explains the purpose of recording Jesus's signs: to inspire belief that Jesus is the Christ and Son of God, leading to eternal life. This serves as the theological conclusion to the Gospel's main narrative.
person_contrast
John uniquely pairs "signs" (σημεῖα) with "believe" (πιστεύω) seven times, more than all other Gospels combined, culminating in this programmatic statement about faith's relationship to miraculous evidence.
Insights
Mary Magdalene's transformation from weeping mourner to commissioned apostle occurs through Jesus's single utterance of her name, making her the first "apostle to the apostles.
Jesus uniquely combines divine authority with the power to forgive sins, appearing only here and in Matthew 9:6 with both themes simultaneously.
Thomas, who typically appears in contexts of calling and discipleship, uniquely encounters resurrection blessing here, making this his only appearance linked to post-resurrection faith and divine benediction.
John uniquely pairs "signs" (σημεῖα) with "believe" (πιστεύω) seven times, more than all other Gospels combined, culminating in this programmatic statement about faith's relationship to miraculous evidence.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
John 20:1 5 references
Lexicals 4
Matthew 28:1 Lexical
Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see t…
Revelation 18:21 Lexical
A mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying, “Thus with violence will Babylon…
Mark 16:2 Lexical
Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.
Mark 16:1 Lexical
When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come…
John 20:2 5 references
Lexicals 5
John 21:17 Lexical
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?” Peter was grieved because he asked h…
John 21:15 Lexical
So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?…
Mark 6:29 Lexical
When his disciples heard this, they came and took up his corpse and laid it in a tomb.
John 21:2 Lexical
Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his discipl…
John 18:15 Lexical
Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered in with…
John 20:3 3 references
Lexicals 3
John 18:16 Lexical
but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke…
John 21:2 Lexical
Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his discipl…
John 18:15 Lexical
Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered in with…
John 20:4 5 references
Lexicals 5
John 21:2 Lexical
Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his discipl…
Luke 24:12 Lexical
But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. Stooping and looking in, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he de…
Matthew 28:8 Lexical
They departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word.
Acts 9:38 Lexical
As Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in…
John 18:15 Lexical
Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered in with…
John 20:5 1 reference
John 20:6 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 24:12 Lexical
But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. Stooping and looking in, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he de…
John 13:36 Lexical
Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you can’t follow now, but you w…
John 1:40 Lexical
One of the two who heard John and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
John 18:15 Lexical
Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered in with…
Acts 1:13 Lexical
When they had come in, they went up into the upper room where they were staying, that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Phi…
John 20:7 1 reference
John 20:8 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 16:5 Lexical
Entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed.
Matthew 12:29 Lexical
Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man and plunder his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? Then h…
Mark 3:27 Lexical
But no one can enter into the house of the strong man to plunder unless he first binds the strong man; then he will plun…
Matthew 12:45 Lexical
Then he goes and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The las…
John 12:16 Lexical
His disciples didn’t understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these thi…
John 20:9 2 references
John 20:11 2 references
John 20:12 2 references
John 20:13 2 references
John 20:15 1 reference
John 20:19 5 references
Lexicals 5
John 19:31 Lexical
Therefore the Jews, because it was the Preparation Day, so that the bodies wouldn’t remain on the cross on the Sabbath (…
Acts 5:23 Lexical
“We found the prison shut and locked, and the guards standing before the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one…
Luke 24:36 Lexical
As they said these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be to you.”
Mark 4:35 Lexical
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let’s go over to the other side.”
John 18:16 Lexical
but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke…
John 20:20 1 reference
John 20:21 2 references
John 20:24 2 references
John 20:25 2 references
John 20:26 4 references
Lexicals 4
Acts 5:23 Lexical
“We found the prison shut and locked, and the guards standing before the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one…
Luke 24:36 Lexical
As they said these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be to you.”
John 18:16 Lexical
but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke…
John 1:35 Lexical
Again, the next day, John was standing with two of his disciples,
John 20:27 1 reference
John 20:29 1 reference
John 20:30 5 references
Lexicals 5
Revelation 20:12 Lexical
I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and they opened books. Another book was opened, whi…
John 21:25 Lexical
There are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they would all be written, I suppose that even the world itse…
Revelation 8:3 Lexical
Another angel came and stood over the altar, having a golden censer. Much incense was given to him, that he should add i…
John 10:41 Lexical
Many came to him. They said, “John indeed did no sign, but everything that John said about this man is true.”
John 7:12 Lexical
There was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others said, “Not so, but h…
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