John 20

John 20 records the climax of the Gospel narrative, detailing the resurrection of Jesus Christ, his appearances to his disciples, and the foundational purpose of the apostolic witness. It marks the transition from the disciples' sorrow and fear to a definitive, faith-based recognition of Jesus as the Risen Lord.

• The empty tomb is discovered on the first day of the week, leading to the initial confusion of the disciples.
• The Beloved Disciple and Peter investigate the tomb, moving from physical observation to preliminary belief.
• Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, transforming her grief into an apostolic mission to the brethren.
• Jesus appears to the gathered disciples, bestowing peace and the Holy Spirit, commissioning them for ministry.
• Thomas, having doubted, receives physical proof and makes the climactic confession of faith: 'My Lord and my God.'
• The chapter concludes with the stated purpose of the Gospel: that readers might believe and have life.

• The first day of the week (the day of resurrection)
• The linen cloths lying in the tomb
• The absence of the body
• The locked doors of the disciples' meeting place
• The print of the nails and the side of Jesus
• The confession: 'My Lord and my God'

This passage establishes the historical reality of the resurrection, which is the cornerstone of Christian faith and the objective basis for the forgiveness of sins.

Faith in the Risen Lord is not a product of human invention or mere desire, but a response to the objective revelation of Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God.

The text moves from darkness and confusion at the tomb (v1-18) to the light of understanding in the gathered community (v19-29), demonstrating the transformative power of Jesus's presence.

• Believing ye might have life through his name (John 20:31)

• Go to my brethren (John 20:17)
• Peace be unto you (John 20:19, 21, 26)
• Receive ye the Holy Ghost (John 20:22)
• Be not faithless, but believing (John 20:27)

• Be not faithless (John 20:27)

• The 'first day of the week' (σάββατον, G4521) signifies the shift from the seventh-day Sabbath to the 'Lord's Day,' marking the beginning of the new creation.
• The mention of 'the Jews' in v19 reflects the intense pressure and threat faced by the early disciples following the crucifixion.

• Tombs (μνημεῖον, G3419) were typically stone chambers; the fact that the linen cloths (ὀθόνιον, G3608) were found inside, rather than discarded outside, suggests an orderly exit rather than a grave robbery.
• The title 'Rabboni' (v16) signifies a high level of respect, emphasizing the personal nature of the teacher-disciple relationship.

• This chapter functions as the primary conclusion to the Gospel of John, with chapter 21 serving as an epilogue.
• The progression from individual witness (Mary) to community witness (the disciples) to individual skepticism (Thomas) provides a comprehensive apologetic for the resurrection.

• The author notes the disciples did not yet understand the Scripture concerning the resurrection (v9), an explicit reference to the Old Testament expectation of the Messiah's victory over death (e.g., Psalm 16:10).
• Matthew Henry observes that the disciples' lack of understanding of the Scriptures initially hindered their faith, emphasizing the necessity of the Holy Spirit to illuminate the text.

• The phrase 'Receive ye the Holy Ghost' (v22) echoes the creation narrative in Genesis 2:7, where God breathed into man the breath of life, here signifying the start of a new spiritual life.

• σάββατον (sábbaton) [G4521]: Used to demarcate the 'first day,' establishing the timing of the resurrection.
• μνημεῖον (mnēmeîon) [G3419]: The tomb, the physical site of the burial now rendered empty.
• βλέπω (blépō) [G991]: Used to denote the physical act of seeing, which in this context serves as the precursor to spiritual belief.
• πιστεύω (pisteúō - implied): The concept of belief is central (v8, v29, v31), denoting an active, trusting conviction.
• ἀναβαίνω (anabaínō - implied in v17 'ascend'): Jesus's ascension is presented as a movement to his 'Father' and 'God,' emphasizing his dual nature.

• The distinct reaction of the disciples: they were not expecting the resurrection, as shown by their sorrow and locked doors.
• The precision of the details regarding the grave clothes suggests an eyewitness account.
• Thomas's confession is the only time in the Gospel that Jesus is directly called 'God' (Theos), serving as a bookend to the opening 'the Word was God' in John 1:1.

• The authority to 'remit' or 'retain' sins (v23) is a point of historic debate. The Reformed position, as reflected in Matthew Henry's commentary, interprets this as the declarative power of the Apostles to pronounce forgiveness based on the Gospel message (the 'keys of the kingdom'), whereas other traditions (such as Roman Catholicism) interpret this as sacramental authority given to the priesthood to grant absolution. The text itself presents the power as derived from the Holy Spirit and inextricably linked to the message of the Gospel.