The Resurrection
20:1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped 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 one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “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.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
Jesus and Thomas
24 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “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.”
26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said 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.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
The Purpose of This Book
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the 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. (ESV)
20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
Imagine the excitement of the disciples after watching Jesus die only to realize he conquered death. What an unforgettable experience that must have been!!!!!
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
I love Thomas’s response. He realizes his foolishness for doubting, but at the same time, when he is presented with the truth, he immediately cries out that “Jesus is LORD.” I feel that we as Christians have to remember that we should always be crying out to Jesus, no matter the circumstance, “My LORD and my God!”
31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
For the second straight chapter, John is commenting on the reason for writing this book. Clearly, John is being selfless because he wants to see others saved by Christ through his book, reflecting serious Christ-like character (I Timothy 2:3-4). We as Christians need to cherish this model and take the same approach in our evangelism. We speak out about Christ because we want others to believe and have life in Christ.
16Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).
This verse is so touching. How amazing it must have been for Mary, who was in deep despair over the death of her beloved teacher, to have Him call her by name. I was thinking how that is the way it is for all believers when we move out of the despair of a purposelesss life that is lived for ourselves and into true life, which is found at the moment we repent of our sins and turn to Christ in faith. Jesus has called each of His children by name, just like He did here to Mary and we are blessed and overjoyed just as she is to know that our Savior lives and that we will have eternal life in Him.
Matt right on! I too love Thomas’ response. I think sometimes we give “doubting” Thomas a tough time because of how he initially responded but truth be told we too have found ourself in this place…Thomas may have been skeptical initially but the moment he saw those scars he worshiped the king and responded the right way!
27Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
I love the end to this verse because sometimes, well all the time i just want to say this to nonchristians……Stop doubting and just believe!
29Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
I love this verse too because its encouraging to know how blessed all of us christians are going to be here on earth and in Heaven because we believe!
27Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Some people, like Thomas, just won’t believe in somthing they can’t see. But lucky for Thomas, Christ comes back to prove He is real. But today we have a problem. Christ is in heaven preparing a place for us. So all of those people who don’t believe what they can’t see are pretty hard to evangelize to. But that doesn’t mean we give up! Look at Thomas’ response in verse 28: “My Lord and God!” Wow! Now imagine today someone like Thomas doesn’t believe. If we show them examples such as these, and other evidence in the Bible, imagine what there response will be! How great would that be? Just becuase someone may be stubborn, doesn’t you can stop telling them about Christ. My mom taught me a saying that relates to this: “The dog that barks the loudest is the one who has been hit.” Same goes with people. The ones who are extremely opposed to the gospel may have some turmoil inside but don’t want to turn to God. That’s why it’s so important to share the gospel to even the most Doubtful Thomas’. Who knows? Maybe they’ll have a change of heart simalar to Thomas’?
22And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
I’m so glad that God gave us the Holy Spirit. The holy Spirit is there to help us and He gives us the right words when we witness so let’s be more bold with our faith and share the Good News
28Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Great comments everyone on these verses. One thing that is also important to notice is that Jesus does not correct Thomas for calling him God. Thus it is biblical support for the deity of Christ (see also Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1 and 10:30, Romans 9:5, Philipians 2:6, Colossians 2:9, and Hebrews 1:3 for some other examples). Jehovah’s wittnesses teach that Jesus is not God. They even say that Jesus never claimed to be God. These verses can be used to refute such statements and show that Jesus is God.
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
One of the first things that Jesus says to His disciples after seeing them again is that He is sending them the way His father sent Him. This mission was not only the disciples’ but ours as well. God the Father sent His Son into the world to be a light and to bring the Word of Truth to the people. He sent HIm, knowing that He would face opposition and suffer for His mission, and ultimately to die for the sins of all believers. We cannot share in this last part, but we also are to be lights, pointing the way to Jesus and boldly carrying forth His message. We too can expect to face opposition, hatred, and persecution because of it. But we can take confidence in the fact that if the world hates us, we are truly living for Christ and bringing glory to Him.
27Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
Jesus could have gotten mad at Thomas for doubting, but instead He was patient with Him and gave him proof of His resurrection. God is so loving and patient with us it’s amazing, and we need to follow Christ’s example by showing the same love and selflessness He showed us to other people.
29Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
This verse is so encouraging to know that we are blesssed because we have never seen Jesus!
Thanks for the scripture support of Christ’s diety Dan! That will be a big help in the near future
31But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
This verse is supper encouraging! I love how John basicly says the meaning for the his gospel and ultimately the whole Bible; that is to prove to us that Jesus is God and that we can be saved from our sin and have eternal life in heaven with Him. The Word has many other purposes, but, in my opinion, the greatest one is that it glorifies holy God by proving our depravity in sin and the divine nature of Jesus Christ.
This is an awesome chapter…..Jesus Christ has risen!!! ……………Christ is killed and all of his followers greived ….like it says, they did not understand from the scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead…But he had to come back to overcome death!
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
In this chapter, Thomas doubts that what the other disciples are saying is true. He only believes because he finally sees Jesus with his own eyes. We are truly going to be blessed because we believe without seeing. I think this is an amazing thing. I also need to have faith and trust that God’s Word is true and let it guide my life.
23If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
This verse is pretty straight forward! We need to have forgiving hearts so that we can be forgiven or else we arent. All throughout the Bible it talkes about how we need to forgive others, meaning it is a command, because in Christ God forgave us!
14At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
I wonder if Jesus, after He resurected looked like the way that Revelation described Him as, like His eyes were blazing like fire and His face brighter than the sun.
Max that was extremely encouraging and thank you for your comment today. It helped me a lot. ;D But I do follow up on Beth and Jenaee.
16Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).
I just wanted to comment on how dramatic this scene must have been. As soon as I read this it reminded me of like a lifetime movie or something, or something on TBN. haha. But this dramatic scene does come with an important message. John points it out to show the excitement that many people had when Jesus came back! I would be exploding with joy if I saw Jesus! Just imagine our response when we do! It’s gunna be awesome.
29Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
And Jenaee is totally right when it comes to this verse. it’s so encouraging to know that we are blessed here on Earth for believing without seeing. It kinda reminded me of that santa clause movie where the boy is like seeing isn’t believing, believing is seeing! Except ours is real life! haha. God is good! ;D
18Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.
Mary showed soo much excitement and joy when she saw Jesus!! I can’t imagine how amazing it will be when we die and see Jesus, or if he comes back before we die, the rejoicing that will happen when we are together with Him in heaven!!! This chapter just makes me want to rejoice in the Lord everyday knowing that he has risen from the dead for us to live with Him in paradise for eternity!! PRAISE THE LORD!!
22And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
Refrencing back to John 16:7- “But i tell you the truth: it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.”
Jesus clearly taught that his saving work on the cross was necessary before the sending of the spirit.
and when Jesus refrences the holy spirit to being a Counselor, he means a helper.
I am overjoyed to know that i have the holy spirit/counselor/helper in my heart.Jesus did not leave us alone here on this earth.he sent the holy spirit to convict- so that we know when to stop, and when to turn away from sin.The holy spirit has helped me more times than i can think of- and i am truly blessed:)
sometimes i think that when we pray, we should thank God for things, not just the food on the table, or the house that we live in, but for the holy spirit, who helps guide us, or for Gods saving grace.
maranatha:)
Jesus rising from the dead is amazing! It shows the perfect plans of God the Father. Although Jesus’ execution was meant for evil, God turned everything around and planned it for the saving of all the people who believe in Jesus. The greatest thing of all is that Jesus defeated death as an example of the resurection we have when we become a Christian. I cant wait for the day when we will return to our home in Heaven where Jesus will be exalted and praised by everyone.
MARANATHA!!!!!
17Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”
I love how Jesus says, “My Father and your Father.” Showing that we are sharing in his inheritence from the Father.
27Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
We often do what Thomas did. We doubt untill we get proof, but yet the proof of God is every where we go. It is constantly around us. We need to do exactly what Jesus said to Thomas, “Stop doubting and BELIEVE!”
i completely agree with luke n spencer! Jesus is risen and now we await his arival! MARANANTHA!!!!!!!!!! =)
MMM this was a good chapter. Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior rises from the dead like he said he would. How amazing is that. And it is so cool how he appears again to the people.
And this chapter also showed me the total power of Jesus. When his disciples were in the room with all the doors locked he appeared to them. He is able to do that and that initself is so amazing. And like some people that have already commented. This is so amazing cause after our Savior has resurected there is only one thing that he can do… Come back.. MARANATHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is exactly what I was talking about with these two guys at K-Scope today a couple hours ago!
The resurrection of Christ and the complete Gospel was preached going as far back to Adam and Eve, it was AWESOOOOOMMMMEEEE!!!!!!
Amen to that Brandice Crane! Maranantha hahaha!
this chapter is really good!! christ has rises from the dead!!! that is soo amazing! that shows the power of God!! i agree with spencer, i cant wait for the day will i will meet jesus christ and live in eternal life with him forever!!
i also liked the “scene” when Christ reappears to the disciples… thomas’ reaction was priceless… i cant wait for the day when we will all get to say to Christ, “my Lord and my God”!
I am going to have to follow off with what Brandy said as well