John 20 - NIV Quest Study Bible

All of the Gospel writers reported on the empty tomb (Mt 28:1 – 8; Mk 16:1 – 8; Lk 24:1 – 12).While we cannot know for certain this disciple’s identity, most believe John was making another anonymous reference to himself (13:23).We can cautiously venture two possibilities. First, the view commonly held by the Jews was that Jesus’ body was stolen during the night (Mt 28:11 – 15). But no one would have stolen Jesus’ body and left behind the expensive linen. Second, when Lazarus was raised from the dead, he had to have someone take off his grave clothes (Jn 11:44). But when Jesus rose, he passed right through his grave clothes, just as he later passed through locked doors (20:19,26).Perhaps Jesus wanted Mary to understand the significance of his resurrection. His spiritual presence, in the person of the Holy Spirit, would now be more important than his physical presence. It’s also possible he wanted her to stop clinging to him because he was not leaving just yet; she would have the opportunity to see him again. In the meantime, he wanted her to share the message of his resurrection with the disciples.Jesus was giving his disciples the Holy Spirit as a means of preparing them to go into the world as witnesses (v. 21). Without God’s divine power and presence, there was no hope of them succeeding in their mission (15:5).Perhaps. In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit came on believers temporarily for specific tasks, which may be the case here. These same disciples were baptized in the Holy Spirit 50 days later on the day of Pentecost. The new ministry of the Spirit was not intended to begin until Jesus’ work on Earth was fully completed and he ascended into heaven.In a sense, yes. By his mercy, Jesus continues his ministry through his body, the church. Thus the Lord works through his people to bring forgiveness. He is the ultimate cause; we are the mediate cause. If we focus on the ultimate cause, we say, “Only God can forgive sins” (Mk 2:7). But if we focus on the mediate cause, we say, “Whatever [we] bind on earth will be bound in heaven” (Mt 18:18).