Gospel of John
Chapter XX

King James Bible Text

Study Notes Commentary

1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

Verse 1 Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb early in the morning just to be by herself and mourn for Jesus! What a shock to see the stone covering the tomb taken away! What’s happening?

2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the LORD out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

Verse 2 Yes, it is confusing for Mary! The body of Jesus, her Lord and Savior, hasn’t been in the tomb for more than a day and now He’s gone! Remember He said, "It is better for you that I should go away; for if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I should go, I will send him to you!" He’s talking of the Holy Spirit!

3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.

Verse 3 Peter and "that other disciple," John, follow Mary back to the tomb just to see for themselves!

4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.

Verse 4 Man – they are in a hurry! John gets there first!

 

5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.

Verse 5 John sees the empty tomb and the burial clothes lying there but somehow doesn’t enter! Can you feel how puzzled he is?

6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,

Verse 6 Simon Peter goes right inside the tomb and he too, sees the discarded burial clothes!
 

7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

Verse 7 Jesus’ body isn’t there! The cloth that had covered His head is neatly folded and placed away from the rest of the burial clothes!

8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.

Verse 8 John goes inside and, seeing the empty tomb and the burial clothes, he too, believes!
 

9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
 

Verse 9 The disciples don’t yet understand that Jesus had to rise from the dead to fulfill His own prophecy that he would resurrect!

10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

Verse 10 Imagine the confusion going through the disciple’s minds!

11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

Verse 11 Mary so loved Jesus that she stays behind, and as she weeps, she looks again into the tomb!
 

12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

Verse 12 Oh my goodness! There are two angels inside! You don’t see that every day!

13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my LORD, and I know not where they have laid him.

Verse 13 Not only that! The angels speak to Mary and ask her why she’s crying! She answers them as best she can! What would be your answer to the angels? And you, brother, why weepest thou?
 

14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
 

Verse 14 Jesus has transfigured! The figure that Mary sees is not familiar to her so she doesn’t recognize it as Jesus! Jesus is with you all the time – even if you don’t know it, yet!

15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

Verse 15 Jesus speaks directly to Mary but she thinks He is the grave keeper! She pours her heart out to Him and asks where Jesus has been taken, so that she can go and get Him! How many times have you asked Jesus for help and think He hasn’t heard you? Of course, He hears you!
 

16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

Verse 16 Rabboni or Rabbi, is a title of respect! Now Mary turns to Jesus and calls out His Name! She recognizes Him!
 

17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

Verse 17 Jesus is telling Mary not to touch Him yet, but to go and tell the others He is ascending to His God and your God! This is exactly what He says to the disciples in His teachings! "I go to My Father and your Father and to our God!"
 

18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the LORD, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

Verse 18 Mary does what is asked of her! Do you see how faithful she is? And, how willing are you to do what is asked of you? Forgive your enemies!
 

19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
 

Verse 19 Can you imagine the surprise when Jesus enters the room and speaks to His disciples? "Peace be unto you!" They’re already terrified by all the events around the crucifixion! Now, Jesus suddenly appears to them in their hiding place! Put yourself in this situation! How would you feel? Jesus story is just for you! You are in a situation now! What will you do?

20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the LORD.

Verse 20 Yes, the disciples believe it is Jesus! He even shows them his wounds to convince them what really happened! Boy, are they happy to see their Savior! – He’s alive!

21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

Verse 21 Jesus is fulfilling His promise to the disciples (that’s you), that as God sent Him to save the world, Jesus now sends you!

22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
 

Verse 22 Breathe on means to give life to! Jesus gives Life to the disciples through the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit is the memory of God – available to you in your mind always – now! Yea!

23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
 

Verse 24 Thomas, one of Jesus’ disciples, wasn’t in the room when Jesus appeared!
 

25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the LORD. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

Verse 25 Thomas doubts. He tells the other disciples that he won’t believe their story until he sees for himself! Somewhere your faith and trust in Jesus just has to be! Do you need help? Ask Jesus!
 

26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

Verse 26 Again – eight days later, Jesus appears before the disciples! This time Thomas is there and sees Jesus for himself! Now see if Thomas can deny that it’s Jesus, when He’s in the room saying, "Peace be unto you!"
 

27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

Verse 27 Jesus doesn’t question Thomas – He knows! He asks Thomas to touch His wounds so that he will know this really is Jesus! "Here, look at my hands, and push your hand into my side (the sword wound)!"
 

28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God.

Verse 28 Yes! Now he is convinced – now Thomas knows that it’s Jesus! "My LORD and my God!"

30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

Verse 30 Jesus showed the disciples many miracles that were not recorded! You still have to believe for yourself – THAT’S the miracle!

31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

 

Verse 31 Faith and Belief – trust in Jesus! That’s the whole point! The pay-off is Life – Through His Name – Now!

More of Jesus’ miracles are written about throughout the New Testament! Look them up for yourself! This is your awakening!