John 20 - King James Version Bible Commentary

Jn 20:1. On Sunday, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb with spices to anoint the body of Christ (Mk 16:1; Lk 24:1). Seeth the stone taken away. Mary would have had trouble removing the stone; now her problem is worse. The body is missing.

Jn 20:2. Mary runs to tell startling news to Peter and John (the other disciple, whom Jesus loved). These two were considered to be the leading disciples and were a part of Christ’s inner circle (Lk 9:27-29).

Jn 20:3-4. Peter and John immediately made their way to the tomb, first walking together, and then running together. Perhaps John was younger than Peter, since he arrived there first.

Jn 20:5. John, stooping down, looks in, and observes the linen clothes lying there. However, the resurrection does not explain this phenomenon in the disciple’s mind (Jn 20:9).

Jn 20:6-7. Impulsive Peter does not stop outside the tomb, but goes inside. What Peter saw was strange. Everything was neat and orderly in the tomb, except that the body of the Lord was no longer there. The headband was folded and lying in a separate place from the rest of the grave clothes. It was now obvious that the body had not been stolen.

Jn 20:8-9. John entered the tomb, and saw and believed. The teaching of Christ’s resurrection now began to dawn on them, and their sight now turned to faith as they realized that Christ had risen again from the dead.

Jn 20:10. Overwhelmed with their observations and the faith it produced, they returned home.

Jn 20:11. It is logical to assume that Mary returned to the tomb after Peter and John have returned home. She has no knowledge of the Lord’s resurrection. She too stoops down and looks into the tomb.

Jn 20:12. Two angels. No explanation is given for the appearance of the angels to Mary and not to the two disciples. It is interesting to note that heaven is interested in the resurrection.

Jn 20:13-15. Why weepest thou? This is a time of joy and triumph; therefore, the angels want to know why Mary is weeping. Mary wants to know where the Lord’s body is lying so that she can complete the embalming process. Mary is so overcome with sorrow and grief that she does not even recognize Jesus. He asks the same question that the angels asked, and He receives the same answer.

Jn 20:16. Mary. She now recognizes the person to whom she is speaking and calls him. Rabboni (Master).

Jn 20:17. Touch me not (Gr haptomai, to cling to or to take hold of). Christ told Mary to stop (Greek prohibition with present tense) clinging to Him because, by doing so, she could not keep the Lord there with her. His destination was to go to the Father. Note the warm and close terminology used: my brethren, your Father, your God. This is the new relationship between the disciples, the Son, and the Father.

Jn 20:18. The command given to Mary is the command given to all Christians: go and tell that Jesus is risen.

Jn 20:19. First day of the week. The Sabbath commemorates the creation of the world, but Sunday, the first day of the week, commemorates the redemption of the world. Fearful and confused, the disciples meet in secret. Christ appears to them apparently by coming through the wall. Peace. To the troubled disciples, Christ brings a message of peace.

Jn 20:20. Several important concepts emerge from this action: Jesus had a real body; His body had been resurrected (not just His spirit), and the nail prints proved that He was Jesus and not someone else.

Jn 20:21. The resurrection had certain implications for the disciples. It gave them Peace, and it implied a commission: So send I you.

Jn 20:22-23. He breathed. This gift of the Holy Spirit is connected with the action of forgiving or retaining sins. It was not the work of the disciples to forgive sins, but the work of the Holy Spirit through the disciples as they fulfilled the Great Commission (Mt 28:18-20). Christ gave the disciples authority to state that forgiveness of sins was possible.

Jn 20:24-25. No explanation is given for Thomas’ not being with the other disciples. Perhaps he was alone mourning the death of his Master. When the other disciples tried to comfrot him with the news of the resurrection, he refused to accept it until he had actually touched the hands, feet, and side of the Saviour.

Jn 20:26. One week later, Christ appears again to the disciples (including Thomas), and gives the same message of Peace.

Jn 20:27. Compare this verse with verse Jn 20:25. Christ answers all of Thomas’ requests. Christ commands him to do what he said was necessary for him to believe.

Jn 20:28-29. My Lord and my God. Thomas now recognizes both the resurrection and the deity of Christ. Thomas based his faith on sight. Christ promises a blessing for those who believe upon hearing instead of upon seeing.

Jn 20:30. Many other signs. The greatest sign found in the writings of John is the sign of the resurrection (For a detailed description of the importance of this event see Josh McDowell’s Evidence that Demands a Verdict.)

Jn 20:31. A detailed analysis of this verse is given in the Introduction to this Commentary.