John 20 - NIV God’s Justice Bible

20:1–3, 10–18 An Unlikely Witness In a historical period where the testimony of a woman is invalid, Mary Magdalene is the star witness. She is the first to report the situation. Later she is the first to whom Jesus appears and the one commissioned to pass the news to the others. The resurrected Lord gives honor to a woman while society denies it.

20:21–23 Mission Jesus’ Way The disciples are commissioned to carry on Jesus’ mission. The continuity has two dimensions: the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit (see 1:32–33) and the forgiveness of sins (see 3:16–18).