John 20 - The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Joh 20:1 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. This should read "the first day of the Sabbaths," (Sabbaton). "Sabbaths" should not be rendered "week." Reference: (Leviticus 23:15-17), shows that this "first day" is the first of the days of reckoning the seven Sabbaths to Pentecost. On this day, the Lord became the "first-fruits" of God's resurrection harvest. Now, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb of Jesus and saw that the stone covering the entrance was taken away. Again, Christ was crucified on a Wednesday between 12 noon and 3:00p.m. then put in the tomb on Wednesday at sundown. Wednesday at sundown to Thursday at sundown was (1) day. Thursday at sundown to Friday at sundown was (2) days. Friday at sundown to Saturday at sundown was (3) days, and He arose sometime during Saturday night, or Sunday morning. Keep in mind that the stone that was covering the entrance of the tomb was around 1 to 1.5 tons and was sealed and watched by Roman soldiers. Then the stone was sealed with rope and melted wax. If you broke the seal, you would be dealing with the wrath of Rome. (Matthew 27:62-66). The stone also had to be rolled uphill to be removed. Not an easy task to roll a 1 ton stone uphill. So, this should satisfy those who think Jesus didn't really die, but escaped from the tomb with the help of the disciples. "I don't think so." (This was a divine act of God).
Joh 20:2 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. After Mary had seen the stone removed, she ran to Peter and John and told them. They have taken the body of Jesus out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put Him she tells them.
Joh 20:3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. Peter and John started out for the tomb.
Joh 20:4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. They were both running towards the tomb, but John outran Peter and reached the tomb first. This affords no ground for assumption by so many commentators, that John was younger than Peter. (It just means that John might have been in better shape).
Joh 20:5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. When John approached the tomb, he looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not enter the tomb.
Joh 20:6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, When Peter caught up he went inside the tomb and also noticed the wrappings lying there.
Joh 20:7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. The handkerchief (a "soudarioin" in the Greek), that covered the face of Jesus was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. (Here it implies that the cloth had been folded (coiled) around His head like a turban. The linen clothes also lay exactly as they were when swathed round the body). i.e. The Lord passed out of them, not needing, as Lazarus (John 11:44), to be loosed. It was this sight that convinced John that the Lord had risen. (John 20:8).
Joh 20:8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. The other disciples that reached the tomb first also went in, and he (John), saw and believed.
Joh 20:9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. Until then, they still didn't understand the scriptures that said, "Jesus must rise from the dead." (Out from among the people).
Joh 20:10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. The disciples broke up and went to their own homes.
Joh 20:11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, Mary Magdalene was standing outside the tomb crying, and she stooped down and looked into the tomb. Mark's account says there were other woman with Mary. (Mark 16:1).
Joh 20:12 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. Mary saw two robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been laying. These two angels were probably Michael and Gabriel. (Daniel 9:21, 10:21, 12:1, Luke 1:19, 26). The supreme importance of the Lord's resurrection in the Divine counsels demanded the presence of the highest angels. The two angels sat at either end of the rock-cut ledge, as the cherubim at either end of the mercy-seat (Exodus 25:19). They sit in the empty tomb who stand in the presence of God (Luke 1:19, Revelation 8:2).
Joh 20:13 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. The two angels asked Mary why she was crying? She answered the angels, "Because they have taken away my Lord and I don't know where they put Him." At this point, Mary did not realize that Jesus has risen form the dead. She thinks that someone has taken the body of Jesus.
Joh 20:14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Mary turns to leave the tomb and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn't recognize Him. Why? (Luke 24:16). God kept them from recognizing Him. (Divine intervention).
Joh 20:15 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. Then Jesus says to Mary, "Dear woman, why are you crying?" Who are you looking for? Mary thought He was the gardener. She say to Him, "If you have taken Him away, please tell me where you have put Him and I will go and get Him."
Joh 20:16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. "Mary." Jesus said. Now she recognizes Him. (John 10:3-4). She knows who He is as soon as Jesus called her name. She cried out, "Rabboni!" (Chaldee origin meaning Lord or Teacher).
Joh 20:17 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. Spend no more time with Me now, "I haven't yet ascended to the Father." But go find My brothers and tell them, "I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God." i.e. Jesus is asking Mary to let Him finish His earthly mission, go back to heaven, so the Father can send the Holy Spirit for us all. (John 16:7). If He didn't, the "Holy Spirit" would not come as promised. (John 14:16-17, 14:26, 15:26). Christ would be a type of first-fruits (Leviticus 23:10-11), from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:23), fulfilling the type by presenting Himself before the Father.
Joh 20:18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. Mary found the disciples and told them what she had seen and that the Lord had spoken to her. How did they respond? Mark gives the best description. (Mark 16:9-11). They did not believe. The Gospel of Mark tells us that later in the day Jesus appeared to two other disciples, and they told the others but they did not believe them either. (Mark 16:12-13). As Christians we need to believe, even if we did not see with our own eyes. That is what faith is all about. (John 3:16, 20:31, Hebrews 11:6). "It is impossible to please God without faith." If you want to come to God, you must believe that He exists, and He will reward those who seek Him. Seek the kingdom of God and He will add to you daily. (Matthew 6:33, Luke 12:31). The King and His Dominion. Take action and seek the truth of His Word and make Him first in your life, and He will always take care of you.
Joh 20:19 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. That Sunday evening the eleven disciples were having a meeting and dinner behind locked doors, because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus appeared and was standing among them. "Peace be with you He said." (Jesus "Stepped into the midst," right through the closed door). How did Jesus do this? He was in His Spirit body in a different dimension. You could say that He was able to "materialize and de-materialize" at will. Did you ever watch Star Trek when they went through the transporter. (Beam me up Scotty)! Just jesting, but you get the picture. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus rebukes them for not believing the others that said they saw Him. (Mark 16:14). The Gospel of Luke records that Jesus actually sat down with the disciples and ate some broiled fish and honeycomb. (Luke 24:36-43).
Joh 20:20 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. Jesus showed the disciples proof that it was Him, by showing them the wounds in His hands and side. (Luke 24:39-41). They still stood there in disbelief, but they were filled with joy and wonder.
Joh 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. Again (the second time), Jesus says, "Peace be with you." "Just as the Father has sent Me, I am sending you." Was this more than just a greeting? Jesus says for the second time, "Peace be with you." (John 20:19, 21). True peace with God has finally been provided "now" for the disciples as well as all of us. (Romans 5:1). When we are right with God because of our faith in Him, we will then have peace with God. (Peace of mind). This is because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. (Hebrews 13:20). It was God who brought Jesus back from the dead, "the great Shepherd of the sheep," who shed His blood of the everlasting covenant. (Matthew 26:28). I am sending you: Jesus was sent by the Father and was on His own. Now He is going to send out the disciples (the sent ones), but they are going to have the help of the "Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19-20). We make disciples by sharing the Word with others. The awesome thing is that we don't do it alone. Christ is with us, and He has given us power through the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:8). You will all receive power when the Holy Spirit comes to you and you will teach my Word throughout the world.
Joh 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Then Jesus "breathed on them" and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." Breathed on: Only here in the new testament and one time in the old testament (Genesis 2:7), was the word "naphah" to breath, or "blow with force" is used. The same Lord Who, as Yahveh Elohim, breathed into Adam's nostrils the "breath of life," so that he became a living soul. Here Jesus breathes upon the apostles that they may receive Divine Power.
Joh 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. Some churches believe that this verse gives the priests the authority, or special ability to forgive people's sins. This is not so! i.e. It is not that the disciples are granting forgiveness, but that they are simply "proclaiming" the forgiveness that a person already has, or doesn't have. (Acts 10:43, 13:38-39). Forgiveness of sins only comes from God. Here the apostles were not given power to forgive sins, but the authority to proclaim what God has or hasn't done. (If a person confesses their sins to God, you can confidently tell them, "God has forgiven them"). We need to confess our sins to God, and God only. (1 John 1:9). If we confess our sins, we can count on God to wash away all our sins because Christ became that one time sacrifice for our sins. "Never confess your sin to any man."
Joh 20:24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. Here comes doubting Thomas. He wasn't present when Christ first appeared to the disciples.
Joh 20:25 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. The disciples told Thomas that they have seen the Lord, but He wanted more proof. He would not believe unless he seen and felt the wounds in Jesus.
Joh 20:26 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. Eight days later the disciples were gathered again, but this time Thomas was with them. Suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. Once again He says, "Peace be with you."
Joh 20:27 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. Jesus says to Thomas; put your finger into My wound and look at My hands. "Don't be faithless any longer; Believe." Now Thomas was a believer by the hand of God.
Joh 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Now finally Thomas is declaring who Jesus is. Jesus was God. (John 1:1). The disbelief of the apostle is the means of furnishing us with a full and satisfactory demonstration of the resurrection of our Lord. Throughout the divine dispensations every doctrine and ever important truth is gradually revealed; and here we have a conspicuous instance of the progressive system. An angel first declares the glorious event; the empty sepulcher confirms the women's report. Christ's appearance to Mary Magdalene showed that he was alive; that to the disciples at Emmaus proved that it was at the least the spirit of Christ; that to the eleven showed the reality of his body; and the conviction given to Thomas proved it the self-same body that had been crucified. Incredulity itself is satisfied; and the convinced apostle exclaims, in the joy of his heart, "My Lord and my God."
Joh 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. Jesus tells Thomas, "You believe because you have seen Me." (Implying that Thomas never really put his finger in the wound of Jesus, but all he actually needed was to see Him). "Blessed are those who believe without seeing Me." (2 Corinthians 5:7, Hebrews 11:1). This blessing refers to us today. We only have the scriptures, and we as Christians are believers. (Romans 10:17). Faith comes from hearing the Good News about Christ. (Luke 11:28). Blessed are they that hear the Word of God and keep it. (Meditate on it and remember what you have learned). Have the people actually heard the Good News? (Romans 10:18). You can bet on it: The message of Jesus Christ has gone throughout the world. (Especially now in the end times with radio, television, cell phones and computers). Take this ministry for example; with the help of the Lord, we reach thousands of people each day in over 50 countries around the world. "Praise God."
Joh 20:30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: The disciples witnessed Jesus do many other miracles that were not recorded in the book of John. Even the four Gospels combined record Jesus performing only 35 miracles. Scholars believe that these four Gospels only record about 50 days of Jesus' ministry. Jesus' total ministry was around 3.5 years. Can you imagine all the teachings of Jesus Christ that we have never head about. (John 21:25). His teachings would be endless.
Joh 20:31 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. These things are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him, you will have life by the power of His name. "Eternal life." (1 John 5:10-13). You either believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God or you don't. Through the Word of God (His record). God has given us eternal life through Christ. Written to you so that you know that you have eternal life through Christ. Why? So you can share it with others. You plant the seed and let the Heavenly Father make it grow. "Your choice." Eternal life through Christ, or death through Satan. Yes, once again, the devil holds the power of death! (Hebrews 2:14). But, Satan's power was broken by the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Stay in Christ and you never need to fear death.
Keep the faith,
Barton
