John 20 - ESV Gospel Transformation Study Bible

20:1–10 How appropriate that Mary Magdalene was the first follower of Jesus to arrive at his tomb on resurrection morning. The Light of the World (8:12) had driven the darkness of seven demons from her soul (Luke 8:2); and now she came, while it was still dark, to witness the dawning of the new creation era. “Light and life to all he brings,” says the hymn, “risen with healing in his wings.” In the culmination of a principle that courses through all of Scripture, we see the supreme instance of the truth that through death comes life, and through darkness shines light.

Peter and John’s slowness to accept the reality and significance of Jesus’ resurrection shouldn’t surprise us. Like them, we too need the Holy Spirit to help us understand what the Scriptures (the whole Bible) reveal about the person and work of Jesus.

After John “saw and believed” (John 20:8), he and Peter went back to their homes to share the good news with their families. At Jesus’ dedication as an infant, Simeon told Mary, Jesus’ mother, that a sword would pierce her soul (Luke 2:35). Now, after Christ’s resurrection, John got to tell her that Jesus had pierced death’s soul and destroyed it (cf. 1 Cor. 15:26; Rev. 20:14).

20:11–18 Mary Magdalene returned to the tomb, and lingered in her grief. At first she thought Jesus was a gardener, and indeed, he is; for where the first Adam failed his work in the garden, the last Adam has wondrously succeeded. The grain of gospel wheat died, and was planted in a garden tomb, and now the grand harvest begins (cf. 12:24–25).

It wasn’t until Jesus spoke her name that Mary recognized him. The Good Shepherd had laid down his life and taken it up again. Now he called one of his sheep by name and she recognized his life-giving voice (10:4). The gospel is no mere invitation; it is a summons to glory. Each of us must move from the general of John 3:16 (God’s love for the world generally) to the personal of Galatians 2:20 (God’s love for me specifically).

20:19–31 Jesus’ encounter with the fearful, guilt-ridden disciples is a model of what should happen every time we gather together in Jesus’ name to worship God. Jesus comes into our midst and speaks to us by his Word, and then applies the gospel of peace to our souls and breathes his Spirit upon us, commissioning us to go forth as servants of the gospel.

The authority Jesus gave the apostles to pronounce the forgiveness of sins is extended through the church by the preaching of the gospel. Where can we go, with certainty, for the assurance of pardon? Not to the works of our hands, nor to the idols of our hearts. Only by believing the gospel of God’s grace can we expect to hear Jesus say to us, “Peace be with you.”

20:30–31 John wrote his Gospel, choosing from a large body of material from the life of Jesus. This editorial note should remind us that the Bible is not an exhaustive account of all things, but a sufficient account of necessary things—the things that reveal Jesus to be the Son of God, the Savior of all who trust him.