John 20
BSB1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,” she said, “and we do not know where they have put Him!" 3 Then Peter and the other disciple set out for the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent down and looked in at the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Simon Peter arrived just after him. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. 7 The cloth that had been around Jesus’ head was rolled up, lying separate from the linen cloths. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in. And he saw and believed. 9 For they still did not understand from the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to their homes. 11 But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent down to look into the tomb, 12 and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 “Woman, why are you weeping?” they asked. “Because they have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I do not know where they have put Him." 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there; but she did not recognize that it was Jesus. 15 “Woman, why are you weeping?” Jesus asked. “Whom are you seeking?” Thinking He was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried Him off, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him." 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). 17 “Do not cling to Me,” Jesus said, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and tell My brothers, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’" 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what He had said to her. 19 It was the first day of the week, and that very evening, while the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you!” He said to them. 20 After He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you." 22 When He had said this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld." 24 Now Thomas called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails have been, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe." 26 Eight days later, His disciples were once again inside with the doors locked, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you." 27 Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe." 28 Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." 30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book. 31 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.
Study Notes — John 20
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from John 20
- Themes from John 20
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on John 20
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
The chapter begins with the discovery of the empty tomb by Mary Magdalene, who reports her findings to Peter and John (John 20:1-10). Jesus then appears to Mary Magdalene, and later to the disciples, excluding Thomas (John 20:11-23). When Thomas expresses his doubts, Jesus appears to him and provides evidence of His resurrection (John 20:24-29). The chapter concludes with a statement of the purpose of the gospel, which is to lead people to believe in Jesus and have life in His name (John 20:30-31). Throughout the chapter, Jesus demonstrates His power and authority, and provides hope and salvation to all who believe in Him.
Context for the Chapter
This chapter is part of the larger narrative of the Gospel of John, which presents Jesus as the Son of God, who has come to provide salvation to all people. The chapter is also part of the larger biblical narrative, which presents God as a God of love, who has provided salvation to all people through Jesus Christ. The chapter is a reminder of the importance of faith in Jesus, and the promise of eternal life that comes with it.
Heart Application
The chapter provides several applications for the reader, including the importance of faith in Jesus, and the promise of eternal life that comes with it. The chapter also emphasizes the importance of spreading the gospel, and providing hope and salvation to all who believe in Jesus. The reader is encouraged to reflect on their own faith, and to consider the impact that Jesus has had on their life.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
This chapter describes the events surrounding the resurrection of Jesus Christ, including the empty tomb, the appearance of Jesus to the disciples, and the commissioning of the disciples to spread the gospel. The chapter emphasizes the importance of faith in Jesus, and the promise of eternal life that comes with it. The reader is encouraged to reflect on their own faith, and to consider the impact that Jesus has had on their life. For example, in John 20:31, Jesus says that He has come to provide life in His name, and that those who believe in Him will have eternal life.
Voices from the Church
“The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith, and provides evidence of His power and authority. The resurrection is a reminder that Jesus has triumphed over death and sin, and has provided hope and salvation to all who believe in Him.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The appearances of Jesus to the disciples, and to Thomas, provide evidence of His resurrection, and demonstrate His power and authority. The appearances of Jesus also emphasize the importance of faith in Him, and the promise of eternal life that comes with it.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- The Empty Tomb (John 20:1-10) — The chapter begins with the discovery of the empty tomb by Mary Magdalene, who reports her findings to Peter and John. The empty tomb is a symbol of Jesus' resurrection, and provides evidence of His power and authority.
- The Appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18) — Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, and provides evidence of His resurrection. The appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene emphasizes the importance of faith in Him, and the promise of eternal life that comes with it.
- The Appearance of Jesus to the Disciples (John 20:19-23) — Jesus appears to the disciples, and provides evidence of His resurrection. The appearance of Jesus to the disciples emphasizes the importance of faith in Him, and the promise of eternal life that comes with it.
- The Appearance of Jesus to Thomas (John 20:24-29) — Jesus appears to Thomas, and provides evidence of His resurrection. The appearance of Jesus to Thomas emphasizes the importance of faith in Him, and the promise of eternal life that comes with it.
- The Purpose of the Gospel (John 20:30-31) — The chapter concludes with a statement of the purpose of the gospel, which is to lead people to believe in Jesus and have life in His name. The purpose of the gospel is to provide hope and salvation to all who believe in Jesus.
Core Doctrines
- The Resurrection of Jesus
- The chapter teaches that Jesus was raised from the dead, and that His resurrection provides evidence of His power and authority. The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith, and provides hope and salvation to all who believe in Him.
- The Importance of Faith
- The chapter emphasizes the importance of faith in Jesus, and the promise of eternal life that comes with it. Faith is the means by which people come to believe in Jesus, and have life in His name.
- The Authority of Jesus
- The chapter teaches that Jesus has authority over all things, including death and sin. The authority of Jesus is demonstrated through His resurrection, and provides evidence of His power and authority.
- The Promise of Eternal Life
- The chapter teaches that those who believe in Jesus will have eternal life. The promise of eternal life is a reminder of the importance of faith in Jesus, and the impact that He has had on our lives.
Lessons from John 20
- The Importance of Faith — The chapter teaches that faith is the means by which people come to believe in Jesus, and have life in His name. The importance of faith is emphasized through the examples of Mary Magdalene, and the disciples.
- The Authority of Jesus — The chapter teaches that Jesus has authority over all things, including death and sin. The authority of Jesus is demonstrated through His resurrection, and provides evidence of His power and authority.
- The Promise of Eternal Life — The chapter teaches that those who believe in Jesus will have eternal life. The promise of eternal life is a reminder of the importance of faith in Jesus, and the impact that He has had on our lives.
- The Resurrection of Jesus — The chapter teaches that Jesus was raised from the dead, and that His resurrection provides evidence of His power and authority. The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith, and provides hope and salvation to all who believe in Him.
- The Purpose of the Gospel — The chapter concludes with a statement of the purpose of the gospel, which is to lead people to believe in Jesus and have life in His name. The purpose of the gospel is to provide hope and salvation to all who believe in Jesus.
Themes from John 20
- The Resurrection of Jesus — The chapter teaches that Jesus was raised from the dead, and that His resurrection provides evidence of His power and authority. The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith, and provides hope and salvation to all who believe in Him.
- The Importance of Faith — The chapter emphasizes the importance of faith in Jesus, and the promise of eternal life that comes with it. Faith is the means by which people come to believe in Jesus, and have life in His name.
- The Authority of Jesus — The chapter teaches that Jesus has authority over all things, including death and sin. The authority of Jesus is demonstrated through His resurrection, and provides evidence of His power and authority.
- The Promise of Eternal Life — The chapter teaches that those who believe in Jesus will have eternal life. The promise of eternal life is a reminder of the importance of faith in Jesus, and the impact that He has had on our lives.
- The Purpose of the Gospel — The chapter concludes with a statement of the purpose of the gospel, which is to lead people to believe in Jesus and have life in His name. The purpose of the gospel is to provide hope and salvation to all who believe in Jesus.
Questions for Meditation
- What is the significance of the empty tomb in John 20:1-10?
- How does the appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene in John 20:11-18 emphasize the importance of faith in Him?
- What is the purpose of the gospel, according to John 20:30-31?
- How does the resurrection of Jesus provide evidence of His power and authority?
- What is the importance of faith in Jesus, according to John 20:31?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. The Empty Tomb (John 20:1-10)
| John 20:1 | The chapter begins with the discovery of the empty tomb by Mary Magdalene, who reports her findings to Peter and John. |
| John 20:2 | Mary Magdalene reports her findings to Peter and John, who then go to the tomb to investigate. |
| John 20:3 | Peter and John find the tomb empty, and the grave clothes are lying on the ground. |
| John 20:4 | Peter and John believe that Jesus has been raised from the dead, and they return to the disciples to report their findings. |
| John 20:5 | Mary Magdalene remains at the tomb, weeping and grieving for Jesus. |
| John 20:6 | Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, and provides evidence of His resurrection. |
| John 20:7 | Mary Magdalene reports her findings to the disciples, who are overjoyed at the news. |
| John 20:8 | The disciples believe that Jesus has been raised from the dead, and they begin to spread the news. |
| John 20:9 | The disciples are filled with joy and wonder at the news of Jesus' resurrection. |
| John 20:10 | The chapter concludes with a statement of the importance of faith in Jesus, and the promise of eternal life that comes with it. |
2. The Appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18)
| John 20:11 | Mary Magdalene is weeping and grieving for Jesus, when He appears to her. |
| John 20:12 | Jesus provides evidence of His resurrection, and Mary Magdalene believes that He has been raised from the dead. |
| John 20:13 | Mary Magdalene reports her findings to the disciples, who are overjoyed at the news. |
| John 20:14 | The disciples believe that Jesus has been raised from the dead, and they begin to spread the news. |
| John 20:15 | Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene again, and provides further evidence of His resurrection. |
| John 20:16 | Mary Magdalene believes that Jesus has been raised from the dead, and she begins to spread the news. |
| John 20:17 | Jesus commissions Mary Magdalene to spread the news of His resurrection to the disciples. |
| John 20:18 | Mary Magdalene reports her findings to the disciples, who are overjoyed at the news. |
3. The Appearance of Jesus to the Disciples (John 20:19-23)
| John 20:19 | Jesus appears to the disciples, and provides evidence of His resurrection. |
| John 20:20 | The disciples believe that Jesus has been raised from the dead, and they begin to spread the news. |
| John 20:21 | Jesus commissions the disciples to spread the news of His resurrection to all people. |
| John 20:22 | The disciples believe that Jesus has been raised from the dead, and they begin to spread the news. |
| John 20:23 | The chapter concludes with a statement of the importance of faith in Jesus, and the promise of eternal life that comes with it. |
4. The Appearance of Jesus to Thomas (John 20:24-29)
| John 20:24 | Thomas expresses his doubts about Jesus' resurrection, and Jesus appears to him to provide evidence. |
| John 20:25 | Jesus provides evidence of His resurrection, and Thomas believes that He has been raised from the dead. |
| John 20:26 | Thomas reports his findings to the disciples, who are overjoyed at the news. |
| John 20:27 | The disciples believe that Jesus has been raised from the dead, and they begin to spread the news. |
| John 20:28 | Thomas believes that Jesus has been raised from the dead, and he begins to spread the news. |
| John 20:29 | The chapter concludes with a statement of the importance of faith in Jesus, and the promise of eternal life that comes with it. |
5. The Purpose of the Gospel (John 20:30-31)
| John 20:30 | The chapter concludes with a statement of the purpose of the gospel, which is to lead people to believe in Jesus and have life in His name. |
| John 20:31 | The purpose of the gospel is to provide hope and salvation to all who believe in Jesus, and to lead people to eternal life. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the empty tomb in John 20:1-10?
The empty tomb is a symbol of Jesus' resurrection, and provides evidence of His power and authority. The empty tomb is a reminder that Jesus has triumphed over death and sin, and has provided hope and salvation to all who believe in Him.
How does the appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene in John 20:11-18 emphasize the importance of faith in Him?
The appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene emphasizes the importance of faith in Him, and the promise of eternal life that comes with it. The appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene provides evidence of His resurrection, and demonstrates His power and authority.
What is the purpose of the gospel, according to John 20:30-31?
The purpose of the gospel is to lead people to believe in Jesus and have life in His name. The purpose of the gospel is to provide hope and salvation to all who believe in Jesus, and to lead people to eternal life.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | John 20:1 → Matthew 28:1 | The empty tomb is a symbol of Jesus' resurrection, and provides evidence of His power and authority. The empty tomb is a reminder that Jesus has triumphed over death and sin, and has provided hope and salvation to all who believe in Him. |
| 2 | John 20:11 → Mark 16:9 | The appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene emphasizes the importance of faith in Him, and the promise of eternal life that comes with it. The appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene provides evidence of His resurrection, and demonstrates His power and authority. |
| 3 | John 20:19 → Luke 24:36 | The appearance of Jesus to the disciples emphasizes the importance of faith in Him, and the promise of eternal life that comes with it. The appearance of Jesus to the disciples provides evidence of His resurrection, and demonstrates His power and authority. |
| 4 | John 20:24 → Matthew 28:17 | The appearance of Jesus to Thomas emphasizes the importance of faith in Him, and the promise of eternal life that comes with it. The appearance of Jesus to Thomas provides evidence of His resurrection, and demonstrates His power and authority. |
| 5 | John 20:30 → Acts 1:3 | The purpose of the gospel is to lead people to believe in Jesus and have life in His name. The purpose of the gospel is to provide hope and salvation to all who believe in Jesus, and to lead people to eternal life. |
| 6 | John 20:31 → 1 John 5:13 | The purpose of the gospel is to lead people to believe in Jesus and have life in His name. The purpose of the gospel is to provide hope and salvation to all who believe in Jesus, and to lead people to eternal life. |
| 7 | John 20:1 → Psalm 16:10 | The empty tomb is a symbol of Jesus' resurrection, and provides evidence of His power and authority. The empty tomb is a reminder that Jesus has triumphed over death and sin, and has provided hope and salvation to all who believe in Him. |
| 8 | John 20:11 → Isaiah 53:11 | The appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene emphasizes the importance of faith in Him, and the promise of eternal life that comes with it. The appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene provides evidence of His resurrection, and demonstrates His power and authority. |
| 9 | John 20:19 → Ezekiel 37:1-14 | The appearance of Jesus to the disciples emphasizes the importance of faith in Him, and the promise of eternal life that comes with it. The appearance of Jesus to the disciples provides evidence of His resurrection, and demonstrates His power and authority. |
| 10 | John 20:24 → Job 19:25 | The appearance of Jesus to Thomas emphasizes the importance of faith in Him, and the promise of eternal life that comes with it. The appearance of Jesus to Thomas provides evidence of His resurrection, and demonstrates His power and authority. |
Sermons on John 20
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Belarus) Crisis Praying by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher shares his personal journey of being consumed by television and worldly entertainment. He describes how God convicted him to get rid of his TV and spen |
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Peace Be Unto You by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of preaching the word of God and the faith required to do so. He highlights the commission given to the disciples by Jesus and |
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Christ's Call Follow in My Footsteps by K.P. Yohannan | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of self-denial and sacrificing our own desires for the sake of the cross and Calvary. He shares a personal story of his wife' |
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A Spirit Hath Not Flesh and Bones by Tim Keller | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the message of Easter, which is that by uniting with Jesus Christ, believers will miss out on nothing. He encourages the congregation to rel |
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(Revelation) 02 Letters to the Seven Churches Part 1 by David Pawson | In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about a woman on a plane who took a photograph of a storm and miraculously, the storm stopped as soon as she took the picture. The woman |
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(1 Peter - Part 8): Whom Having Not Seen, Ye Love by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the revelation of God's glory through the creation of all things. He refers to the vision described in the book of Ezekiel, where the prophet |
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The Beginning of Miracles - Part 1 by Kathryn Kuhlman | In this sermon, Catherine Kuhlman shares the story of how miracles began happening in her ministry. She reflects on her early years of ministry, when she was full of energy and hun |
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Christ Made Perfect by Major Ian Thomas | In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal experience of being reconciled to God at a young age. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the purpose of Jesus' death on t |
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Great Commission - Part 1 by John Stott | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the Great Commission and its four essential elements. The first element is the need for believers to have a personal experience of peace befo |
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Resurection Power of Jesus by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the reign of Jesus Christ and the blessings that come with it. He emphasizes that Jesus will reign from shore to shore and that in his kingdom |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on John 20
In this chapter, we see the triumph of Jesus over death and sin, and the beginning of a new era of redemption. The empty tomb is a symbol of Jesus' resurrection, and provides evidence of His power and authority. The appearances of Jesus to the disciples, and to Thomas, provide further evidence of His resurrection, and demonstrate His power and authority. The chapter concludes with a statement of the purpose of the gospel, which is to lead people to believe in Jesus and have life in His name. As Matthew Henry notes, 'The resurrection of Christ is the foundation of our faith, and the fountain of our hope.' The chapter provides several practical lessons for the reader, including the importance of faith in Jesus, and the promise of eternal life that comes with it. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Empty Tomb
The empty tomb is a symbol of Jesus' resurrection, and provides evidence of His power and authority. The empty tomb is a reminder that Jesus has triumphed over death and sin, and has provided hope and salvation to all who believe in Him. The empty tomb is also a reminder of the importance of faith in Jesus, and the promise of eternal life that comes with it.
The Appearances of Jesus
The appearances of Jesus to the disciples, and to Thomas, provide evidence of His resurrection, and demonstrate His power and authority. The appearances of Jesus also emphasize the importance of faith in Him, and the promise of eternal life that comes with it.
The Importance of Faith
The chapter emphasizes the importance of faith in Jesus, and the promise of eternal life that comes with it. Faith is the means by which people come to believe in Jesus, and have life in His name. The chapter provides several examples of people who have faith in Jesus, including Mary Magdalene, and the disciples.