Tyndale Open Study NotesJohn 20

• Mary Magdalene, a dedicated follower of Jesus, went to the tomb to help finish burying Jesus (see Matthew 27:55–56; Luke 8:1–3; see John 19:42).

• Many Judean tombs were sealed with a rolling stone.

Mary Magdalene ran to find Simon Peter. She assumed that someone had taken the body of Jesus from the tomb. This kind of tomb disturbance did happen in the ancient world.

The other disciple was likely John, "the one whom Jesus loved" and the author of this Gospel (see 13:23). He and Peter confirmed Mary's testimony by checking the tomb themselves. John got there first, but Peter went in first.

What Peter and John found in the tomb was remarkable. The linen cloths were on the burial bench (19:40). Jews also used a cloth on the face for burials. They rolled it, wrapped it under the chin, and tied it on top of the head (see 11:44). The apostles found this cloth folded on the bench. John included these details to counter any suggestion that grave robbers had taken the body of Jesus. Thieves would have taken such expensive clothes in a robbery.

he saw and believed: Even though he did not fully understand, John knew God had done this, and he realized Jesus was alive.

• Even though two angels appeared inside the tomb, it was still a mystery how Jesus disappeared (see Luke 24:4).

• Why are you weeping?: Sorrow was not the appropriate response in this moment.

Mary thought Jesus was the gardener. Jesus repeated the angel’s question and asked, "Whom are you seeking?" Jesus wanted Mary to think. At this point Mary was looking for the body of Jesus, but she was about to meet the living Christ.

When Jesus called Mary by name, she recognized him immediately (see 10:3–4).

Mary thought that with the resurrection, Jesus would resume normal relations with his disciples. She was trying to cling to the joy she discovered in her resurrected Lord. But his fellowship with her would come in a new form (20:22). Jesus had not yet ascended to complete his return to the Father, but the process was underway. Before his final departure, he would give the Holy Spirit (20:22; see 14:15–21, 26; 15:26–27; 16:5–15).

Mary was the first person to see the Lord after his resurrection. She not only saw him, but also heard and touched him (see 1 John 1:1–4). God gave this great honor to a woman whose broken life had experienced healing (Luke 8:2). In Jewish culture, this was surprising. A woman could not even be a witness in court. No Jew at that time would make up such a story.

• the disciples were together with the doors locked: The disciples were afraid that they might be punished for following Jesus.

• Peace be with you!: This was a common Jewish greeting (see also 3 John 1:15). But Jesus was doing more than just greeting his disciples. He was offering the Messiah's peace and delivering the gift of his kingdom (see Isaiah 9:6; 52:7; see John 14:27; 16:33).

The reality that Jesus had been raised from the dead was quite clear. Jesus showed them the wounds from the nails and the spear. He did not fake death but conquered it. He was no ghost but a real man with a real body. He had been dead but was now alive. Jesus was fully human both in life (1:14) and in his resurrection.

I am sending you: God sent Jesus into the world to establish his kingdom. Now, Jesus is sending his disciples to continue his mission. Christ's messengers spread the truth of his words to the world (see 17:18).

Jesus commissioned his disciples and gave them the Holy Spirit. The Spirit had not yet been given earlier, because Jesus had not yet been glorified (7:39).

After his resurrection, the glorified Jesus gave the Spirit to his followers. This gift fulfilled many promises that the Spirit would be sent (14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7, 13). It also points ahead to the Spirit’s powerful coming at Pentecost (Acts 1:4–5; 2:1–47).

If you forgive anyone his sins: The work of Christ’s followers continues the work of Christ. They do not give or take away God’s forgiveness on their own. Instead, they act according to the guidance of Jesus through the Holy Spirit (15:5; 14:31).

Thomas: See also 11:16; 14:5. Thomas was not present when Jesus first appeared. He remained full of doubt even after his friends said they had seen the Lord. Thomas wanted the same direct experience they had.

• Eight days later was the first day of the Jewish week (Sunday). This was one week after the resurrection of Jesus. At that time, people included the current day when counting forward. The appearance of Jesus on this Sunday helps explain why the disciples met for worship on "the Lord's Day" (see Revelation 1:10).

• Peace be with you: This scene was just like the first appearance of Jesus (John 20:19–20). Jesus had already heard the complaint of Thomas, and now Jesus answered directly.

• believe: Jesus challenged Thomas to believe in the resurrection like the others did.

“My Lord and my God!”: This was not a shout of surprise but a statement of deep faith. It completes John's declaration of Jesus's divinity that has framed the whole book (see 1:1–18).

Jesus speaks of the generations of Christians who, through the testimony of others, would believe without seeing.

Many scholars think these words are the end of John's Gospel and consider chapter 21 to be an addition. John's account is only a selection of the many miracles and signs Jesus performed.

so that you may believe: Some manuscripts use the present tense, showing that John wrote to encourage those who already believe. Other manuscripts read “that you may [come to] believe,” which suggests that John was helping people begin to have faith (compare 1:7).