Introduction

John 20 announces the earth-shaking news: Jesus is risen. Mary Magdalene finds the empty tomb and becomes the first to see the risen Lord. Jesus appears to His disciples, giving them peace, the Spirit, and mission. Thomas's doubt is met with patient invitation, producing history's greatest confession: "My Lord and my God!" John concludes by stating his purpose: that readers may believe Jesus is the Christ and have life in His name.

The Empty Tomb (20:1-10)

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb early, while it's still dark, and sees the stone has been taken away. She runs to Simon Peter and the other disciple (the one Jesus loved) and says, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." Peter and the other disciple run to the tomb. The other disciple outruns Peter but doesn't enter. Peter arrives, enters, and sees the linen cloths lying there and the face cloth folded separately. Then the other disciple enters, sees, and believes. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that Jesus must rise from the dead. The disciples return home.

• First Day: Sunday becomes the day of resurrection—the Lord's Day that Christians celebrate.
• "They Have Taken": Mary's first thought is theft, not resurrection. The disciples hadn't expected this.
• Linen Cloths: The arrangement suggests Jesus passed through the grave clothes, not that someone unwrapped a body.
• Face Cloth Folded: Careful detail. No hurried theft would fold the cloth.
• "Saw and Believed": The beloved disciple believed upon seeing the evidence. Faith began to dawn.
• Scripture Not Yet Understood: Full understanding of the resurrection would come later. They were still processing.

Jesus Appears to Mary (20:11-18)

Mary stands weeping outside the tomb. Looking in, she sees two angels in white where Jesus' body had lain. They ask why she's weeping. She says, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." She turns and sees Jesus standing but doesn't recognize Him. He asks why she weeps and whom she seeks. Thinking He's the gardener, she asks if he has carried the body away. Jesus says, "Mary." She turns and says, "Rabboni!" (Teacher). Jesus says, "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary goes and announces to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and tells them what He said.

• Weeping Mary: Her grief blinds her to the reality before her. Sorrow can prevent recognition.
• Angels: They appear matter-of-factly, asking about her tears. Heaven knows there's no need for weeping.
• "Mary": Jesus speaks her name, and she recognizes Him. The Good Shepherd calls His sheep by name (John 10:3).
• "Rabboni": An intimate term for Teacher. Recognition produces response.
• "Do Not Cling": The relationship is changing. Jesus will be present differently after ascension—through the Spirit.
• "My Brothers": Despite their failures, Jesus calls disciples "brothers." Grace, not condemnation.
• First Witness: A woman becomes the first to proclaim resurrection. The gospel breaks social conventions.

Jesus Appears to the Disciples (20:19-23)

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the disciples are behind locked doors for fear of the Jews. Jesus comes and stands among them: "Peace be with you." He shows them His hands and side. The disciples are glad when they see the Lord. Jesus says again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." He breathes on them and says, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld."

• Locked Doors: Fear drove them to hide. The resurrection body passes through barriers.
• "Peace Be With You": His first word is peace, not rebuke for their abandonment. Grace defines His approach.
• Hands and Side: The wounds identify Him. The risen Christ bears the marks of crucifixion.
• Gladness: Joy replaces fear when they see the Lord. His presence transforms emotions.
• Sent as the Father Sent: The disciples receive Jesus' mission. Continuity between His sending and theirs.
• Breathed on Them: Echoing Genesis 2:7, Jesus imparts new creation life through the Spirit.
• Forgiveness of Sins: The church's proclamation of the gospel either releases or retains sins based on response.

Thomas Believes (20:24-29)

Thomas (called the Twin), one of the twelve, wasn't with them when Jesus came. Other disciples tell him, "We have seen the Lord." Thomas says, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe." Eight days later, disciples are inside again, Thomas with them. Doors are locked. Jesus comes and stands among them: "Peace be with you." He says to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands; and put out your hand and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." Thomas answers, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus says, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

• Thomas Absent: He missed the first appearance. We don't know why, but it cost him a week of doubt.
• Demanding Proof: Thomas sets high conditions for belief—physical touch of the wounds.
• Jesus Meets Him: Jesus doesn't reject Thomas's demands but meets them with patient grace.
• "My Lord and My God": The climactic confession of John's Gospel. Thomas recognizes Jesus as divine Lord.
• "Blessed Are Those Who Believe Without Seeing": Jesus speaks across time to all future believers. Faith without sight is blessed.

The Purpose of This Book (20:30-31)

Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

• Many Other Signs: John selected from abundant material. The Gospel is curated, not exhaustive.
• Purpose Statement: John writes for faith—that readers believe Jesus is Christ and Son of God.
• Life in His Name: The result of believing is life. This is John's goal for every reader.

Key Takeaways

• Jesus Is Risen: The tomb is empty; the Lord is alive. This is Christianity's foundation.
• Jesus Meets Doubt With Grace: Thomas's demands were met. Jesus invites examination.
• Believing Brings Life: John writes so we may believe and have life. This is the book's purpose.

Reflection Questions

• Mary recognized Jesus when He spoke her name. How does Jesus personally call you? How do you recognize His voice?
• Thomas doubted until he saw. What evidence has convinced you that Jesus rose? What doubts remain?
• "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." How does it feel to be included in this blessing?