John 20 - NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible

20:1 first day of the week. Sunday. All four Gospels say this (Matt 28:1; Mark 16:2; Luke 24:1) rather than “the third day” (1 Cor 15:3–4), despite Jesus’ predictions (see 2:19–22 and note; Matt 12:40; 16:21; 17:23; 20:19; 27:63–64). The reason may be to present Jesus’ resurrection as the beginning of something new. Mary Magdalene. She knows where to go because she saw where Jesus was laid (Mark 15:47).

20:1–10 The Empty Tomb. Some of Jesus’ followers discover that the tomb is empty (see photo).

20:1–31 The Resurrection of Jesus. John recounts several of Jesus’ resurrection appearances and concisely states his Gospel’s purpose. The resurrection is another of Jesus’ signs (see “many other signs” in v. 30; see also Introduction: Purpose and Addressees).

20:2 the one Jesus loved. Probably John (see note on 13:23). taken the Lord out of the tomb. Grave robbery was not uncommon. Mary assumes that Jesus is still dead.

20:6–7 strips of linen lying there . . . cloth . . . in its place. Evidence that no one simply moved the body. It is unlikely that thieves would have taken the time to remove the cloth, leave behind the expensive linen and even more expensive spices, or leave the cloth in an orderly arrangement.

20:7 Contrasts with Lazarus in 11:44. Lazarus was raised to a mortal, “natural body”; Jesus was raised to an immortal, “spiritual body” (1 Cor 15:44).

20:8 saw and believed. With sudden intuition he perceives that the only explanation is that Jesus has risen from the dead. This theme of seeing and believing climaxes in v. 29.

20:9 still did not understand. The disciples did not perceive from OT prophecy “that Jesus had to rise from the dead,” so they certainly did not make up a resurrection story to fit a preconceived understanding of OT prophecy. See 2:19–22 and note; Luke 24:25–27,32, 44–46. Scripture. Either a specific OT text (e.g., Ps 16:10; Isa 53:10–12; Hos 6:2) or the entire OT.

20:11 crying. Mary still does not understand the empty tomb’s significance (see note on v. 2).

20:11–18 Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene. Mary Magdalene is the first eyewitness to see (and hear and touch) the resurrected Jesus. Jews would not have fabricated this story because a woman could not even testify in court.

20:12 two angels. See note on Matt 28:2–3. The empty tomb cannot be explained by appealing to grave robbers; God himself has been at work.

20:13 Woman. See NIV text note on 19:26; see also notes on vv. 2,11.

20:14 did not realize that it was Jesus. Perhaps it is not fully light (v. 1), Mary’s tears obscure her vision, and/or she turns and sees someone there but then turns immediately back toward the tomb as she speaks (she again turns toward Jesus when she addresses him in v. 16). Cf. 21:4; Luke 24:16.

20:15 Woman. See NIV text note on 19:26. gardener. The tomb was in a garden (19:41).

20:16 See 10:3–4. Astonishment and delight instantly swallow up Mary’s anguish and despair.

20:17 Do not hold on to me. Or “Stop clinging to me.” Mary probably fell to her face and was grasping Jesus by the feet (Matt 28:9). not yet ascended. Jesus’ ascension is still some time off (Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9–11), so Mary does not have to hang on to him as if he is about to disappear permanently. my brothers. Jesus’ disciples (v. 18). ascending. In the process of ascending. my Father and your Father. God is the Father of both Jesus and believers but in different senses (1:12,14,18; cf. Rom 8:15–16; Heb 2:11–12). See “Sonship.”

20:19 disciples. Probably the Twelve minus Judas and Thomas (v. 24). locked. Implies that Jesus miraculously appears among them. Peace be with you! See 14:27; 16:33; see also “Shalom.”

20:19–20 See Luke 24:36–41.

20:19–23 Jesus Appears to His Disciples. Although Peter and John have come to terms with the empty tomb (vv. 1–10), now Jesus actually appears to the apostolic band.

20:20 hands and side. Parts of his body with scars. overjoyed. Jesus turns their grief to joy, just as he promised (see 14:18; 16:20–22 and notes).

20:21 Peace be with you! See note on v. 19. As the Father has sent me, I am sending you. See note on 17:18. Central to Jesus’ mission was what he accomplished through his death and resurrection (see note on 3:17; see also Introduction: Characteristics and Themes, 3). Jesus’ complete obedience to and dependence upon his Father (4:34; 8:29; 14:31; 15:10) is the model for his disciples.

20:22 with that. Ties the commission in v. 21 to Jesus’ giving the Spirit. Receive the Holy Spirit. Probably symbolizes that the long-promised gift of the Spirit (7:39; 14:17) is now imminent, anticipating what happens 50 days later on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2).

20:23 are forgiven . . . are not forgiven. The passive voice implies that God is the one who forgives (or does not forgive) people’s sins. God does not grant or withhold forgiveness because the apostles (or we) do so. But through the Holy Spirit (v. 22) the apostles and all believers participate in Jesus’ saving mission by declaring that God will forgive all those who repent and believe in Jesus and that God will not forgive those who do not repent and believe (see “The Gospel”). Cf. Matt 16:19; 18:18–19 and notes.

20:24 Thomas. See 11:16; 14:5 and notes. Didymus. See NIV text note. when Jesus came. See vv. 19–23.

20:24–29 Jesus Appears to Thomas. Jesus appears again to his disciples, and Thomas believes.

20:26 locked. See note on v. 19. Peace be with you! See note on v. 19.

20:27 The text does not say whether Thomas touches Jesus; it gives the impression that the sight itself proves sufficient and overcomes Thomas with awe and reverence (v. 28).

20:28 my God. Thomas exclaims and confesses that Jesus is God (see note on 1:1).

20:29 you . . . those. The contrast is not that Thomas’s faith is inferior to that of other believers, as if faith that is not based in signs is superior (vv. 30–31). Rather, the contrast is between the first generation of believers, like Thomas, who were witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection, and all later generations. not seen and yet have believed. See 1 Pet 1:8; cf. 2 Cor 5:7.

20:30–31 The Purpose of John’s Gospel. This is the climax of the book, encapsulating several of the important themes John has developed. See Introduction: Purpose and Addressees.