# Overview John Chapter 20 is a powerful testament to the resurrection of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] and the transformative encounters that follow this pivotal event. It begins with #MaryMagdalene visiting the tomb of Jesus early on the first day of the week, only to find the stone rolled away. Distressed, she runs to inform #Peter and the beloved disciple, likely #John, who both rush to the tomb. Upon arrival, they find the linen cloths lying there, but do not fully understand the significance of the empty tomb. It is Mary Magdalene who first encounters the risen Jesus, mistaking Him initially for the gardener, until He calls her by name. Her recognition of Jesus marks the first of several post-resurrection appearances, underscoring the personal and intimate nature of Jesus' ministry and His deep connection with His followers. Later, Jesus appears to His disciples, who are gathered behind locked doors out of fear of the #Jews. He breathes on them, imparting the #HolySpirit and commissioning them for ministry, saying, "As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." This moment signifies the empowerment of the disciples to continue Jesus' mission on earth. The chapter also famously recounts the story of #Thomas, who doubts the resurrection until Jesus invites him to touch His wounds. Thomas' subsequent declaration, "My Lord and my God," is a profound confession of faith, emphasizing the divine identity of Jesus. John concludes by stating the purpose of his gospel: that readers may believe that Jesus is the #Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing, they may have life in His name. ## Theological Insights John 20 presents profound theological insights centered on the resurrection of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], a cornerstone of #Christian faith. The chapter begins with Mary Magdalene discovering the empty tomb, marking the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy about His resurrection, which confirms His divine nature and the truth of His teachings. The empty tomb is a testament to Jesus' victory over death, affirming the promise of eternal life for believers (John 20:1-18). The appearance of Jesus to #MaryMagdalene highlights the personal nature of the resurrection. Her encounter with the risen Christ signifies the transformative power of the resurrection, turning sorrow into joy and doubt into faith. Jesus' instruction to Mary to announce His resurrection to the disciples underscores the role of believers in spreading the #Gospel (John 20:11-18). Jesus' subsequent appearances to the disciples further reinforce His triumph over death and His identity as the #SonOfGod. His greeting of "Peace be with you" (John 20:19, 21) reflects the peace that comes from reconciliation with God through Christ. The impartation of the Holy Spirit (John 20:22) empowers the disciples for the mission of spreading the Gospel, fulfilling Jesus' promise of the Comforter in [[John/John Chapter 14]]. The encounter with #Thomas, often called "Doubting Thomas," illustrates the importance of faith. Thomas' initial skepticism and subsequent declaration, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28), upon witnessing the risen Christ emphasizes the necessity of belief without seeing, a theme that resonates with the call to faith throughout the #NewTestament. This episode underscores the blessedness of those who believe without physical evidence, as Jesus states, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29). John 20 concludes with a purpose statement for the entire Gospel: "These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (John 20:31). This declaration encapsulates the evangelistic nature of the Gospel, inviting readers to faith in Jesus Christ as the source of eternal life. The chapter serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative and life-giving power of the resurrection, central to the Christian message of hope and redemption. ## Thematic Connections ### Resurrection and New Creation The theme of #resurrection is central in [[John/John Chapter 20]], as it presents the story of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] rising from the dead. This event is a fulfillment of #prophecy and echoes the promise of new life found throughout the #OldTestament, such as the vision of dry bones coming to life in [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 37]]. The resurrection also marks a new creation, paralleling the original creation narrative in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 1]], where God brings life from chaos and darkness. ### Faith and Belief The chapter emphasizes the importance of faith and belief, particularly in the accounts of #Thomas and the other disciples. Thomas's initial doubt and subsequent belief upon seeing the risen Jesus highlight the theme of believing without seeing, which is echoed in Jesus' blessing for those who have not seen and yet have believed. This theme is consistent with teachings found in [[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 11]], where faith is described as belief in the unseen promises of God. ### Peace and Commissioning Upon appearing to the disciples, Jesus offers them peace and commissions them with the Holy Spirit, paralleling God breathing life into Adam in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 2]]. This theme of peace and sending is echoed in the #GreatCommission found in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 28]], where Jesus commands his followers to spread the Gospel. The impartation of the #HolySpirit is also a fulfillment of Jesus' promises in [[John/John Chapter 14]] and [[John/John Chapter 16]], where He spoke of the coming Comforter. ### The Role of Witnesses The role of witnesses is a significant theme, as Mary Magdalene, the first to see the risen Christ, is tasked with telling the disciples. This theme is echoed in the broader biblical narrative, where witnesses are called to testify to God's work, as seen in [[Acts/Acts Chapter 1]], where the apostles are called to be witnesses in Jerusalem and beyond. The idea of bearing witness is also reflected in the #prophetic tradition, such as in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 43]], where Israel is called to be God's witness. ### Forgiveness and Restoration Jesus' granting of the authority to forgive sins to his disciples highlights the theme of forgiveness and restoration, echoing the reconciliation themes found in [[2 Corinthians/2 Corinthians Chapter 5]]. This authority reflects the new covenant relationship established by Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection, aligning with the promise of a new heart and spirit found in [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 31]]. ### The Continuation of Jesus' Mission The chapter concludes with the purpose statement of the Gospel, which is to lead readers to believe that Jesus is the #Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing they may have life in his name. This theme connects with the broader mission of Jesus, as articulated in [[John/John Chapter 3]], to bring everlasting life to all who believe. The continuation of Jesus' mission through the disciples and the church is a central theme in the #NewTestament. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Resurrection of the Messiah The resurrection of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] in John 20 fulfills the prophecy found in [[Psalm/Psalm Chapter 16|Psalm 16:10]], where it is stated that God would not abandon His Holy One to decay. This prophecy is echoed in [[Acts/Acts Chapter 2|Acts 2:27-31]] and [[Acts/Acts Chapter 13|Acts 13:35-37]], where the early apostles interpret this Psalm as a foretelling of Jesus’ resurrection. The empty tomb and Jesus' appearances to His disciples confirm Him as the #Messiah who overcomes death, fulfilling the scriptures that anticipate a risen Savior. ### The Peace and Empowerment from the Messiah In John 20, when Jesus appears to His disciples and says, "Peace be with you," He fulfills the prophecy of the coming #MessianicAge, characterized by peace and the outpouring of the Spirit. This resonates with [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 9|Isaiah 9:6-7]], which speaks of the coming Prince of Peace, and [[Joel/Joel Chapter 2|Joel 2:28-29]], which anticipates the Spirit being poured out on all flesh. Jesus breathing on His disciples and imparting the Holy Spirit in John 20:22 echoes these promises, showing the fulfillment of God’s plan to establish a new covenant relationship with His people through the indwelling Spirit. ### The Recognition of Jesus as Lord and God Thomas’ declaration in John 20:28, "My Lord and my God," fulfills the deeper understanding of the #Messiah's divine identity as prophesied in the Hebrew Scriptures. The recognition of Jesus as God aligns with prophecies such as [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 7|Isaiah 7:14]], which anticipates Immanuel, "God with us," and [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 9|Isaiah 9:6]], which describes the coming child as "Mighty God, Everlasting Father." This confession affirms Jesus’ divine nature and mission, fulfilling the prophetic expectation of a divine Messiah who brings salvation to His people. ### The Blessing of Belief Without Seeing Jesus’ blessing in John 20:29, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed," fulfills the broader biblical theme of faith and trust in God’s promises. This aligns with scriptures like [[Habakkuk/Habakkuk Chapter 2|Habakkuk 2:4]], which states, "The righteous will live by his faith," and [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 15|Genesis 15:6]], which describes Abraham's belief in God as credited to him as righteousness. Jesus’ words here emphasize the prophetic call to faith, inviting believers into a blessed relationship with God through trust in His revealed Word. ### The Continuation of the Apostolic Mission The commissioning of the disciples in John 20:21, "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you," is a realization of the prophetic mission of God's people to be a light to the nations, as outlined in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 42|Isaiah 42:6]] and [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 49|Isaiah 49:6]]. Through their testimony and empowered by the Holy Spirit, the disciples fulfill the call to spread the #Gospel to all nations, continuing the work of the servant of the Lord prophesied in the Scriptures. This mission aligns with the Great Commission found in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 28|Matthew 28:18-20]], further fulfilling the scriptural mandate to make disciples of all nations. ## Verses - **John 20:1** - "Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance." - Note: See also [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 28]], [[Mark/Mark Chapter 16]], [[Luke/Luke Chapter 24]] for parallel accounts of the resurrection morning. - **John 20:2** - "She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, 'They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!'" - Note: The "disciple whom Jesus loved" is traditionally understood to be #John. - **John 20:3** - "Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb." - **John 20:4** - "They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first." - **John 20:5** - "He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in." - **John 20:6** - "Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there," - **John 20:7** - "while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings." - **John 20:8** - "Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed—" - **John 20:9** - "for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead." - Note: See [[Psalm/Psalm Chapter 16]], [[Acts/Acts Chapter 2]] for scriptural references to the resurrection. - **John 20:10** - "Then they went home." - **John 20:11** - "Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in." - **John 20:12** - "She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying." - **John 20:13** - "'Dear woman, why are you crying?' the angels asked her. 'Because they have taken away my Lord,' she replied, 'and I don’t know where they have put him.'" - **John 20:14** - "She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him." - **John 20:15** - "'Dear woman, why are you crying?' Jesus asked her. 'Who are you looking for?' She thought he was the gardener. 'Sir,' she said, 'if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.'" - **John 20:16** - "'Mary!' Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out, 'Rabboni!' (which is Hebrew for 'Teacher')." - Note: Compare with [[Luke/Luke Chapter 24]] where Jesus reveals himself to the disciples. - **John 20:17** - "'Don’t cling to me,' Jesus said, 'for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them that I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" - **John 20:18** - "Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, 'I have seen the Lord!' Then she gave them his message." - **John 20:19** - "That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! 'Peace be with you,' he said." - **John 20:20** - "As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord!" - **John 20:21** - "Again he said, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.'" - Note: See [[John/John Chapter 17]] where Jesus prays for the disciples' mission. - **John 20:22** - "Then he breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'" - **John 20:23** - "'If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.'" - **John 20:24** - "One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came." - **John 20:25** - "They told him, 'We have seen the Lord!' But he replied, 'I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.'" - **John 20:26** - "Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. 'Peace be with you,' he said." - **John 20:27** - "Then he said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!'" - **John 20:28** - "'My Lord and my God!' Thomas exclaimed." - Note: This is a direct acknowledgment of Jesus' divinity. - **John 20:29** - "Then Jesus told him, 'You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.'" - Note: This principle of faith is echoed in [[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 11]]. - **John 20:30** - "The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book." - **John 20:31** - "But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name."