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John Chapter Twenty

 

I. Content of the Chapter

 

The Resurrection and Manifestation of the Son of God the Savior

A. The Survey of the Resurrection ---- the Empty Tomb (v.1-10)

B. The Manifestation of the Resurrection

1. To Mary ---- it satisfied her loving heart toward the Lord (v.11-18).

2. To all the disciples ---- it gave them the Holy Spirit peace joy and authority (v.19-23).

3. To Thomas ---- it removed his doubts (v.24-29).

  C. The Purpose of this Book ---- you may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing you may have life (v.30-31)

 

II. Verse by Verse commentary

 

John. 20:1 ¡§Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early while it was still dark and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. ¡¨

YLT: ¡§And on the first of the Sabbaths Mary the Magdalene doth come early (there being yet darkness) to the tomb and she seeth the stone having been taken away out of the tomb ¡¨

The Background: at that time a rich man¡¦s tomb was a stone cave chiseled out of a rock which looked like a house where had a stone bed stone tables and stone chairs for the purpose of mourning for the dead. There was a big low and groove shaped like a rectangle which was used to lay the body with the spices. At the entrance of the stone cave there was a big stone shaped like a cake in a track chiseled out of a bedrock. Only a strenuous man could roll away the stone out of the door of the sepulcher.

Literal Meaning: ¡§the first day of the week¡¨ there were seven days a week according to the Jewish calendar and the seventh day was the Sabbath (see Gen 2:2-3). Therefore the Sabbath was the last day of a week and the next day was a new beginning of another week i.e. Sunday also ¡§the Lord¡¦s day¡¨ called by Christians (see Rev 1:10). The Jews took Sunday as ¡§the first day of the week¡¨ and believers in the New Testament called Sunday ¡§the Lord¡¦s day¡¨ in order to remember the resurrection of the Lord Jesus (see Acts 20:7; 1Cor 16:2).

  ¡§Early¡¨ according to the Roman chronometry there were four watches at night: (1) the first watch was six o¡¦clock to nine o¡¦clock; (2) the second was nine o¡¦clock to the midnight; (3) the third was the midnight to three o¡¦clock before dawn; (4) the fourth was three o¡¦clock before dawn to six o¡¦clock in the morning. ¡§Early¡¨ referred to the fourth watch.

¡§Mary Magdalene¡¨ out of whom the Lord Jesus had cast seven demons (see Luke 8:2; Mark 16:9).

¡§Went to the tomb¡¨ she went to anoint the body of Jesus (see Mark 16:1).

Spiritual Meaning: ¡§the first day of the week¡¨ it symbolized the beginning of a new age. The burial of the Lord had finished the old creation and the resurrection of the Lord had brought the new creation.

  ¡§Early¡¨ it symbolized that the Lord¡¦s life had broken through the power of darkness and brought those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death the dayspring from on high (see 4:16; Luke 1:78-79).

  ¡§Mary Magdalene¡¨ she followed the Lord till the cross (see Matt 27:56-57) and was the last one who left the tomb and the first one who returned the tomb. Therefore she could be the representative of those who were drawn near to the Lord and loved Him.

  ¡§The stone had been taken away from the tomb¡¨ it symbolized that the risen power had removed all the obstacles thus manifesting the risen life.

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) The Lord Jesus rose in ¡§the first day of the week¡¨ symbolizing that the resurrection of Christ had brought a new beginning. The old things have passed away. Behold all things have become new (2Cor 5:17).

     2) ¡§Early¡¨ whenever we believers live in the old creation we will live in darkness. And whenever we live in the new creation we will enter the spiritual early morning.

     3) The Lord rose ¡§the third day¡¨ after His suffering (see 16:21; 17:23; 20:19). In the creation of God in Genesis it was also in the third day that there was life (see Gen 1:11-13). Therefore that the Lord rose in the third day symbolized the manifestation of the life of God.

     4) The Lord said: ¡§I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25)¡¨. Resurrection has revealed not only He is the Lord of life (see Acts 3:15) but also life has sorrowed up the death (2Cor 4:10-11; 5:4).

     5) When it was dark being drawn by Christ an infirm woman like Mary even dared to go to the land of tombs. Yes the glorious and adorable Christ has transcended all the darkness and death. Therefore he who has been drawn by Him can likewise be not afraid of the darkness and death but advance bravely.

     6) ¡§The stone had been taken away from the tomb¡¨ he who loves and serves the Lord must be confronted with many difficulties and obstacles (like the big stone) but one shall not worry how to resolve it. When we advance bravely instead of escaping all the difficulties and afflictions we will find that many difficulties (stone) have been already taken away. 

 

John. 20:2 ¡§Then she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved and said to them "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb and we do not know where they have laid Him." ¡¨

YLT: ¡§she runneth therefore and cometh unto Simon Peter and unto the other disciple whom Jesus was loving and saith to them `They took away the Lord out of the tomb and we have not known where they laid him.'¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§the other disciple whom Jesus loved¡¨ it referred to the Apostle John (see 13:23; 21:7).

  ¡§We do not know where they have laid Him¡¨ the word ¡§we¡¨ indicated that except for Mary Magdalene there were also other ones who came to the tomb together (see Matt 28:1; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:10). ¡§Do not know where they have laid Him¡¨ apparently they had not imagined the matter of resurrection.

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) Hastily look hastily run and hastily report will make a man anxious. All the anxious tidings that have not been inspected tend to be wrong.  

     2) Though He had passed the tomb the tomb was not His destination. Likewise all of us will be dead but death is not our destination.

     3) He could neither be kept by the tomb nor be held by the death (see Acts 2:24). Similarly those who believe the Lord will never remain in death for long. Since we have received the risen life we should have the experience that ¡§life sorrows the death¡¨.

     4) There are two precious things in the Christianity ---- one is the cross and the other is the empty tomb. The skeletons of the hierarchs of every religion in the world had been buried in their tombs. Only our Lord Jesus was risen and left an empty tomb.

 

John. 20:3 ¡§Peter therefore went out and the other disciple and were going to the tomb. ¡¨

YLT: ¡§Peter therefore went forth and the other disciple and they were coming to the tomb ¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§Peter and the other disciple went out¡¨ they hid themselves in their own homes for fear of the Jews (see v.10 19). ¡§Went out¡¨ meant coming out of their homes.

 

John. 20:4 ¡§So they both ran together and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. ¡¨

YLT: ¡§and the two were running together and the other disciple did run forward more quickly than Peter and came first to the tomb ¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§the other disciple outran Peter¡¨ apparently John was younger than Peter.

 

John. 20:5 ¡§And he stooping down and looking in saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. ¡¨

YLT: ¡§and having stooped down seeth the linen clothes lying yet indeed he entered not.¡¨

Meaning of Words: ¡§look¡¨: behold take heed and see carefully (the one who is seeing desires to see something important).

The Background: according to the funeral custom of the Jews the corpse should be bound up in linen with the spices and the head should be wrapped by napkin (see 11:44; 19:40).

Literal Meaning: ¡§saw the linen cloths lying there¡¨ ¡§the linen cloths¡¨ they were the cloths that bound the body of Jesus. What was surprised to the disciples was that the Lord¡¦s body was not there but the shape of the linen clothes remained without any disorder. If He was stolen by others the linen cloths would be definitely carried away together or the linen cloths would be unfastened and the shape would be in disorder.

Spiritual Meaning: ¡§saw the linen cloths lying there¡¨ the Lord Jesus entered the tomb with the ¡§linen cloths¡¨ that bound Him symbolizing that He was buried with the old creation. However when He was risen from the death He left the old creation.

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) Believers should put off the old men and put on the new men (see Eph 4:22-23; Col 3:9-10).

     2) The handkerchief and the linen cloths (see v.7) were done by two disciples who loved the Lord (see 19:38-40). They became the evidences left by the risen Lord bearing witness of the Lord¡¦s resurrection. Everything we have done on the Lord for the sake of loving Him is bearing good witness.

 

John. 20:6 ¡§Then Simon Peter came following him and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there ¡¨

YLT: ¡§Simon Peter therefore cometh following him and he entered into the tomb and beholdeth the linen clothes lying ¡¨

Meaning of Words: ¡§see¡¨: see without hesitation;

Literal Meaning: ¡§he saw the linen cloths lying there¡¨ the linen cloths kept the same shape proving that the body of the Lord Jesus was not stolen by others (see Matt 28:11-13). Therefore the linen cloths laying there were the testimony of the Lord¡¦s resurrection.

The body of the risen Lord could not be separated by anything but could act freely. Beyond all question He could be off the entanglement of the linen cloths freely.

 

John. 20:7 ¡§and the handkerchief that had been around His head not lying with the linen cloths but folded together in a place by itself.¡¨

YLT: ¡§and the napkin that was upon his head not lying with the linen clothes but apart having been folded up in one place;¡¨

Meaning of Words: ¡§fold¡¨: fold like the previous condition;

The Background: in the chiseled tombs the corpse was placed with the head toward the inner end of the tomb and the feet toward the entrance. Therefore men would see the linen clothes that bound the corpse and would then see the napkin.

Literal Meaning: ¡§but folded together in a place by itself¡¨ it did not mean the handkerchief had been arranged but it was still folded like the original shape.

 

John. 20:8 ¡§Then the other disciple who came to the tomb first went in also; and he saw and believed.¡¨

YLT: ¡§then therefore entered also the other disciple who came first unto the tomb and he saw and did believe;¡¨

Meaning of Words: ¡§see¡¨: perceive;

Literal Meaning: the word ¡§then¡¨ indicated that John was encouraged by Peter so he came to the tomb first then.

  ¡§And he saw and believed¡¨ he believed the Lord Jesus had been risen not the report of the women that the corpse of the Lord Jesus was taken away (see v.2).

  John did not believe the Lord¡¦s resurrection through the teachings of the scriptures of the Old Testament (e.g. Ps 16:12; Is 53:10-11 and etc) but personally witnessing the fact that the linen cloths and the handkerchief lying in the same shape and knowing that the body had not taken by others (see 19:40).

 

John. 20:9 ¡§For as yet they did not know the Scripture that He must rise again from the dead. ¡¨

YLT: ¡§for not yet did they know the Writing that it behoveth him out of the dead to rise again.¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§for as yet they did not know the Scripture¡¨ it indicated that they had witnessed the fact of resurrection first and afterwards knew the prophecy concerning the resurrection in the Scripture. That was to say they had not fabricated a tale of resurrection to cater for a certain imagination in them.

  ¡§He must rise again from the dead.¡¨ ---- In the Old Testament (namely the word of God) all things concerning the Lord Jesus who shall rise from the dead should be fulfilled (see Luke 24:44-46; Ps 16:10; Act 13:34-35).

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) If Christ is not raised then indeed vain also our preaching and vain also your faith (1Cor 15:14). Because:

1.    He was declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead (Rom 1:4).

2.    God raised Jesus to prove us that He is the Son of God (see Acts 13:33; Ps 2:7).

3.    Christ has been delivered for our offences and has been raised for our justification it will be reckoned (Rom 4:25).

4.    If Christ be not raised we are yet in your sins (1Cor 15:17).

5.    Christ has become the first-fruits of them that slept. Since Christ has been is raised from among dead thus also in the Christ all shall be made alive (1Cor 15:20-23).

6.    If in this life only we have hope in Christ but will not rise we are most miserable of all men. (1Cor 15:19)

     2) Many believers may have the knowledge of the Lord¡¦s resurrection but have no thorough one. If we desire to learn the fact of the Lord¡¦s resurrection we shall love and seek Him earnestly.

     3) All those who neither understand the Scripture nor know the resurrection of Christ can only return their own homes (see v.10) and live a life weeping toward the tomb (see v.11).

 

John. 20:10 ¡§Then the disciples went away again to their own homes. ¡¨

YLT: ¡§The disciples therefore went away again unto their own friends ¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§went away again to their own homes¡¨ this verse indicated that they did not even take it seriously when they saw the Lord was not there. They still had their homes beside the Lord.

Spiritual Meaning: ¡§the disciples¡¨ they were men. In the Bible man usually stands for rationality and knowledge. The two disciples observed their situation through their rationality. Having known the fact of the Lord¡¦s resurrection they felt relieved and went back homes.

 

John. 20:11 ¡§But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. ¡¨

YLT: ¡§and Mary was standing near the tomb weeping without; as she was weeping then she stooped down to the tomb and beholdeth two messengers in white sitting ¡¨

Meaning of Words: ¡§weep¡¨: wail aloud;

Literal Meaning: ¡§but Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping¡¨ ¡§but¡¨ indicated that the mood of Mary was totally different from that of the disciples who did not take it seriously when they had not seen the Lord. However when Mary did not see the Lord the world seemed to be blank in her eyes. She did not know where to go and only remained weeping there.

Spiritual Meaning: ¡§Mary¡¨ was a woman. In the Bible woman usually stands for emotion and experience. She pursued Christ further in love and sought the personal experience in the Lord.

 

John. 20:12 ¡§And she saw two angels in white sitting one at the head and the other at the feet where the body of Jesus had lain. ¡¨

YLT: ¡§one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been laid.¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§saw two angels¡¨ when the Lord was born there were angels coming to preach the glad tidings (see Luke 2:10). When the Lord was raised from the death there were also angels coming to verify it. Both of them were great events that shook heaven and earth. Therefore they were preached by angels from the heaven and were heard and seen by men on the earth. 

 

John. 20:13 ¡§Then they said to her "Woman why are you weeping?" She said to them "Because they have taken away my Lord and I do not know where they have laid Him." ¡¨

YLT: ¡§And they say to her `Woman why dost thou weep?' she saith to them `Because they took away my Lord and I have not known where they laid him;'¡¨

Literal Meaning: Mary¡¦s heart was so concentrating on the Lord that she had not been drawn by the angels. She only took her Lord to her heart.

 

John. 20:14 ¡§Now when she had said this she turned around and saw Jesus standing there and did not know that it was Jesus.¡¨

YLT: ¡§and these things having said she turned backward and seeth Jesus standing and she had not known that it is Jesus.¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§saw Jesus standing there and did not know that it was Jesus¡¨ it indicated that the risen body of the Lord Jesus was totally different from the physical one of Him (see Mark 16:12; 1Cor 15:42).

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) The Lord should ascend to His Father after His resurrection (see v.17). However the earnest love of Mary made the Lord could not help revealing to her first. To love the Lord was a prerequisite for ¡§seeing¡¨ the Lord. If we loved the Lord like Mary Magdalene the Lord could not help revealing Himself to us.

     2) The Lord Jesus that Mary was seeing was the one she had seen and had followed for many years but she did not even know he was the Lord Jesus here. Today He is no longer the one in history but the Lord Jesus who is risen spiritual and heavenly and abides in the Holy Spirit.

     3) Henceforth we shall neither know others according to flesh (see 2Cor 5:16) nor know Christ who has been raised from the death according to flesh.

     4) May the Lord grant us spiritual eyes ---- namely the faith (see John 20:29; 2Cor 5:7; 1Peter1:8) ---- in the full knowledge of Him (see Eph 1:17-18).

     5) The Lord¡¦s resurrection is a fact beyond question as well as an important spiritual truth (see 1Cor 15:14). However if we neither love the Lord nor seek the Lord the Lord¡¦s resurrection to us will be only knowledge and have little influence on us. 

 

John. 20:15 ¡§Jesus said to her "Woman why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" She supposing Him to be the gardener said to Him "Sir if You have carried Him away tell me where You have laid Him and I will take Him away." ¡¨

YLT: ¡§Jesus saith to her `Woman why dost thou weep? whom dost thou seek;' she supposing that he is the gardener saith to him `Sir if thou didst carry him away tell me where thou didst lay him and I will take him away;'¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§Sir if You have carried Him away¡¨ she did not even explain who was ¡§Him¡¨. In her heart there was only one ¡§Him¡¨ so she thought everyone had known Mary¡¦s ¡§Him¡¨. Mary thought everyone had to know ¡§Him¡¨. This was her heart!

  ¡§Tell me where You have laid Him and I will take Him away¡¨ she neither considered whether her strength was enough not how long it was she had only her heart set on carrying Him.

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) ¡§Love¡¨ makes one ignore the difficulties. This is the most wonderful thing in the world ---- where there is love there is no difficulty.

     2) Seen from Mary and the two disciples we find that the faith of brothers is greater than that of sisters but the love of sisters is greater than that of brothers. Faith enlightens one the spiritual facts clearly but love usually makes one feel muddled. However if one lacks love he will not fully experience the Lord of Himself.

 

John. 20:16 ¡§Jesus said to her "Mary!" She turned and said to Him "Rabboni!" (which is to say Teacher). ¡¨

YLT: ¡§Jesus saith to her `Mary!' having turned she saith to him `Rabbouni;' that is to say `Teacher.'¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§Rabboni!¡¨ ---- It was an appellation more honorable and intimate than Rabbi.

Spiritual Meaning: once the Lord called the name of Mary she immediately knew it was the Lord. Such calling was a revelation. That a man has received a revelation means he knows something spontaneously beside the ears the eyes and the power of understanding. Revelation means that one knows the spiritual things suddenly.

  ¡§Mary turned¡¨ the first turn of Mary (see v.14) was a turn concerning her body. The second turn was a turn of spirit (see Rev 1:12).

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) The whole life of Christians has been started from the turn of mind (repentance). And they shall turn to the Lord in spirit constantly (see 2Cor 3:16-18).

     2) It is so urgent that all those Christians in their blind zeal need the calling and revelation of the risen Lord.

 

John. 20:17 ¡§Jesus said to her "Do not cling to Me for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them "I am ascending to My Father and your Father and to My God and your God."' ¡¨

YLT: ¡§Jesus saith to her `Be not touching me for I have not yet ascended unto my Father; and be going on to my brethren and say to them I ascend unto my Father and your Father and to my God and to your God.'¡¨

Meaning of Words: ¡§urgently¡¨: attach oneself to to touch;

Literal Meaning: ¡§Do not cling to Me.¡¨ ---- The word ¡§cling to¡¨ meant ¡§holding closely¡¨. It showed the earnest love of Mary to the Lord. She was afraid of losing the Lord again when witnessing the risen Lord so she held Him closely expecting that He could remain on the earth.

    ¡§For I have not yet ascended to My Father¡¨ there were two steps of the Lord¡¦s ascension: (1) the hidden ascension ---- it happened in the morning of the day of His resurrection for the purpose of satisfying God the Father presenting the freshness of the resurrection to please the Father. (2) The public ascension ---- it happened after forty days of His resurrection (see Acts 1:9-11) for the purpose of edifying the disciples presenting Himself living to His disciples (see Acts 1:3).

    ¡§Go to My brethren¡¨ ¡§brethren¡¨ were not His brethren in the flesh but His disciples who had received His risen and divine life and became the brethren of the house of God.

¡§To My Father and your Father and to My God and your God¡¨ through the resurrection of Christ His disciples could partake in the divine life of God. In this life His disciples have become His brethren and His Father is the disciples¡¦ Father and His God is the disciples¡¦ God.

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) After the Lord¡¦s resurrection He did not reveal Himself to His great disciples like Peter James and John but to the infirm Mary out of whom He had cast seven demons. Many believers usually believe that only those experienced and renowned spiritual elders can meet the Lord. However some unremarkable and ordinary believers often meet the Lord.

     2) We should never despise the young and infirm brothers and sisters. Sometimes there are precious experiences in them which will help us to know the Lord.

     3) Why did the Lord reveal firstly to Mary Magdalene? The only cause was her love toward the Lord (see 14:21):

1.    Because of her love to the Lord she followed Him from Galilee all the way served Him and followed till the cross (see 19:25).

2.    When the Lord was buried after His death Mary was one of those who left the tomb in the end (see Matt 27:61; Mark 15:47).

3.    Men could do nothing on the Sabbath and she was one of those who came to the tomb firstly after the Sabbath (see v.1; Matt 28:1).

4.    When others saw the empty tomb they returned. However only Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping. Such earnest longing and love of the Lord earnestly made the Lord could not help revealing earlier to her (see v.9-18).

     4) Though Mary had not anointed the risen Lord because of her ignorance the Lord still revealed to her. It indicates that the one who loves the Lord truly can know the Lord most easily. Though we are less intelligent than others if we love the Lord with our whole heart the Lord will still help us to know Him.

     5) The words of the Lord Jesus in this verse tell us that: (1) though His disciples denied Him and escaped because of infirmity (see Matt 26:56; 69-75) He did not forsake them but called them ¡§brethren¡¨ (see Heb 2:11-12) showing their relationship in the risen life. (2) Though it was woman that brought death into the world (see Gen 3) it was still woman that preached the good news of resurrection to the world.

     6) So then we are no longer strangers and foreigners but are of the household of God (see Eph 2:19).

 

John. 20:18 ¡§Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that He had spoken these things to her.¡¨

YLT: ¡§Mary the Magdalene cometh telling to the disciples that she hath seen the Lord and these things he said to her.¡¨

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) ¡§Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples¡¨ the resurrection of Christ is the center of all the messages. How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things (Rom 10:15)!

     2) The resurrection of Christ is the common massage of men and angels. Whatever the heaven or the earth should preach Him.

     3) Even the strong apostles needed the infirm women to preach the message of the resurrection to them ---- we should seek the humbleness in the church and receive the spiritual provision from the unremarkable brothers and sisters modestly.

     4) The first report of Mary was a false report because she did not know the truth (see v.2). Now it was the second report for she had personally experienced the reality of resurrection so she corrected her error. It taught us that: (1) though men spoke the fact it still might not be true. (2) The authenticity of man¡¦s words should be determined by his knowledge about the matter. (3) We should not refuse to believe a man any longer only because of his past false words.

 

John. 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 Jesus came and stood in the midst and said to them "Peace be with you." ¡¨

YLT: ¡§It being therefore evening on that day the first of the sabbaths and the doors having been shut where the disciples were assembled through fear of the Jews Jesus came and stood in the midst and saith to them `Peace to you;'¡¨

Meaning of Words: ¡§shut¡¨: close; ¡§Peace be with you¡¨: rejoice joy (there was only one word in the original).

Literal Meaning: ¡§when the doors were shut Jesus came and stood in the midst¡¨ it indicated that the risen body of the Lord Jesus could not be restricted by any physical matter or space.

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) On the day of the Lord¡¦s resurrection when the disciples were assembled the Lord came to reveal to Him. It unveils that the Lord rejoices that His disciples are gathered together on the day of His resurrection namely the Lord¡¦s day for it is the manifestation of His resurrection.

     2) The Lord is glad that we are assembled on the day of His resurrection revealing that we should act in His risen life when we are assembled.

     3) The risen Christ is beyond any restriction. Though the door was closed He could not be shut outside. Nothing could block Him if He came. He could bestow grace to those who were open to Him as well as those who were close to Him. Therefore we need not use artificial ways to encourage others to open to Him. Only the revelation of the risen Christ will break through all the blocks.

     4) If man has not experienced the risen Lord he will unavoidably live in dread. Once he has experienced the risen Lord he will have true peace.

     5) The revelation of the Lord will bring us peace and joy. Therefore if we want to enjoy more peace and joy the best way is to love and seek the revelation of the Lord.

     6) The true peace comes from the living presence of the Lord in spirit. And nothing and nobody can take such peace.

     7) If believers lack peace it must be caused themselves not the original will of the Lord.

 

John. 20:20 ¡§When He had said this He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. ¡¨

YLT: ¡§and this having said he shewed them his hands and side; the disciples therefore rejoiced having seen the Lord.¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§His hands and His side¡¨ they referred to the marks left by the Lord¡¦s crucifixion (see v.25; 19:34).

 

John. 20:21 ¡§So Jesus said to them again "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me I also send you." ¡¨

YLT: ¡§Jesus therefore said to them again `Peace to you; according as the Father hath sent me I also send you;'¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§As the Father has sent Me¡¨ though the Father has sent Him the Father is still with Him (see 8:29).

  ¡§I also send you¡¨ it means that the Lord on one hand has sent us to the world (see 17:18) and on the other hand He is still with us (see 14:17-18).

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) Since the Lord Jesus has been sent by God the Father and has manifested God the Father we have also been sent by the Lord and will manifest Christ in the world in like manner.

     2) Since the Lord Jesus walks to keep the will of God the Father through the complete union with God the Father likewise we shall also walk to keep the will of the Lord through the union with the Lord.

 

John. 20:22 ¡§And when He had said this He breathed on them and said to them "Receive the Holy Spirit. ¡¨

YLT: ¡§and this having said he breathed on and saith to them `Receive the Holy Spirit;¡¨

Meaning of Words: ¡§breath¡¨: spirit wind;

Literal Meaning: ¡§breathed on them¡¨ just like God breathed into Adam¡¦s nostrils the breath of life and he became a living soul (see Gen 2:7). When the Lord breathed on the disciples He had breathed the divine constitution into the disciples.

  ¡§Receive the Holy Spirit.¡¨ ---- The indwelling spirit is different from the befalling spirit on the day of Pentecost. The former relates to life and the latter concerns power. The former is the seal of the Holy Spirit (see Eph 1:13) and the latter is the pouring of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:33). The former is received when a man has just been saved and the latter is sought after a man has already been saved.

  This verse has fulfilled the Lord¡¦s promise to His disciples (see 7:39; 14:16 17 26; 15:26; 16:7 8 13).

Spiritual Meaning: ¡§breathed on them¡¨ ¡§breath¡¨ is the sign of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:2).

Controversial Clarification: some Bible exegetes thought here ¡§receive the Holy Spirit¡¨ was only a typification which should not be truly fulfilled until the day of Pentecost (see Acts 2:1-4). This was wrong and there were reasons as below: (1) they confused the indwelling spirit with the pouring spirit else. However they were characteristically different. (2) They said: ¡§the Holy Spirit would not come until the Lord had ascent to see the Father (see 15:7; 16:7) and the Lord was taken up forty days after His resurrection.¡¨ Actually the Lord had already ascent to see the Father as the first-fruit offering to God on His risen morning after His revelation to Mary (see v.17; 1Cor 15:20-23). (3) The Lord could never say ¡§receive the Holy Spirit¡¨ only as playing a drama but not actually give the Holy Spirit.

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) If believers do not want to be in debt to the Lord¡¦ sending (see v.21) they shall rely on the assistance of the Holy Spirit. Without the guidance and assistance of the Holy Spirit we could never fulfill the commission entrusted by the Lord.

     2) The Lord grants us the Holy Spirit so as to let us use the spirit authority (see v.23). We can use the authority rightly only by the Holy Spirit.

 

John. 20:23 ¡§If you forgive the sins of any they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any they are retained." ¡¨

YLT: ¡§if of any ye may loose the sins they are loosed to them; if of any ye may retain they have been retained.'¡¨

Meaning of Words: ¡§forgive¡¨: absolve (language of the court) remit lay aside; retain: judge (language of the court) hold keep;

Literal Meaning: God neither forgives others because we have forgiven them. nor refuses to forgive others because we do not forgive them. The Lord here means that once believers have the indwelling spirit they will know clearly the will of God and make right judgment from the clear revelation of the Holy Spirit.

Controversial Clarification: someone misapplied this verse believing that the Lord had granted the church or believers infinite authority to judge anyone and whatever the result was God would respect it. Actually the words ¡§forgive¡¨ and ¡§retain¡¨ in this verse emphasize the spiritual discernment ---- which helps us to tell apart whether a man has been saved or not thus deciding whether we should accept or refuse him. In other words the authority is mainly used in accepting those whom God has forgiven into the church.

Enlightenment in the Word: today there are many nominal Christians for the leading brothers have not relied on the guidance of the Holy Spirit when accepting the new members.

 

John. 20:24 ¡§Now Thomas called the Twin one of the twelve was not with them when Jesus came.¡¨

YLT: ¡§And Thomas one of the twelve who is called Didymus was not with them when Jesus came;¡¨

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) We shall usually enjoy the revelation and presence of the Lord. However he that does not come to be assembled will surely miss many chances to meet the Lord.

     2) It is a great spiritual loss that one has not been together with believers. It is a great blessing that they are gathered together. Much spiritual grace is granted to the whole assembly when they are gathered.

     3) A normal Christian on one hand shall not overlook the spiritual fellowship in the morning ---- communing with the Lord in private like Mary (see v.1 16). On the other hand he shall not neglect partake in the gathering on the Lord¡¦s day ---- worshiping God with all the saints like the disciples.

 

John. 20:25 ¡§The other disciples therefore said to him "We have seen the Lord." So he said to them "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails and put my finger into the print of the nails and put my hand into His side I will not believe." ¡¨

YLT: ¡§the other disciples therefore said to him `We have seen the Lord;' and he said to them `If I may not see in his hands the mark of the nails and may put my finger to the mark of the nails and may put my hand to his side I will not believe.'¡¨

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) The disciples said: ¡§we ¡K¡¨ but Thomas said: ¡§I ¡KI¡K¡¨ Believers of the individualism often think others are unbelievable and not as real as ¡§themselves¡¨.

     2) He who thinks he is a man seeks truth from facts is usually uneasy to believe others¡¦ testimonies.

 

John. 20:26 ¡§And after eight days His disciples were again inside and Thomas with them. Jesus came the doors being shut and stood in the midst and said "Peace to you!" ¡¨

YLT: ¡§And after eight days again were his disciples within and Thomas with them; Jesus cometh the doors having been shut and he stood in the midst and said `Peace to you!'¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§after eight days¡¨ when the Jews counted the days they usually counted the first and last day in without counting the certain hour. Therefore ¡§after eight days¡¨ was the second Lord¡¦s day (namely the next ¡§first day of the week¡¨).

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) In the previous gathering on the Lord¡¦s day Thomas was absent so he lost a chance to witness the manifestation of the Lord (see v.24). Today in another gathering on the Lord¡¦s day his loss was compensated. Obviously to partake in the gathering of the church frequently is of great importance (see Heb 10:25).

     2) Although listening to the sermon praying and bearing witness are important they are still secondary not primary. The core purpose of being gathered is to meet the Lord.

 

John. 20:27 ¡§Then He said to Thomas "Reach your finger here and look at My hands; and reach your hand here and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving but believing." ¡¨

YLT: ¡§then he saith to Thomas `Bring thy finger hither and see my hands and bring thy hand and put to my side and become not unbelieving but believing.'¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§Reach your finger here and look at My hands; and reach your hand here and put it into My side.¡¨ ---- Obviously the prints of the nails still remained on His hands and feet. All these prints are the signs of His love to us.

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) The Lord did not reproach others except for Thomas. He who is unwilling to believe the testimony of church should also be reproached by the Lord.

     2) He who does not believe the testimony of the church does not believe the Lord. He who has been out of joint to the body will surely be out of joint to the head.

 

John. 20:28 ¡§And Thomas answered and said to Him "My Lord and my God!" ¡¨

YLT: ¡§And Thomas answered and said to him `My Lord and my God;'¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§My Lord and my God!¡¨ ---- Finally Thomas not only believed the resurrection of the Lord Jesus but also experienced His divinity.

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) The Lord can deal with those whom men can not deal with. The Lord can subdue those whom what men can not subdue.

     2) All those who have witnessed the Lord¡¦s manifestation can not help falling down and showing honor to Him wholeheartedly.

 

John. 20:29 ¡§Jesus said to him "Thomas because you have seen Me you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." ¡¨

YLT: ¡§Jesus saith to him `Because thou hast seen me Thomas thou hast believed; happy those not having seen and having believed.'¡¨

Literal Meaning: the true faith is not by sight. All those who have seen only have received an established fact which is not the faith that the Lord asks.

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) It is the expression of little faith of asking more evidences. The sensuous evidence is not the right foundation of faith.

     2) The presence of the Lord has one kind of hidden one and the other of the obvious one. The former one is always more than the latter one. We should be trained to a degree that we can still trust Him at ease without any obvious presence of the Lord.

     3) We walk by faith not by sight (2Cor 5:7).

 

John. 20:30 ¡§And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples which are not written in this book; ¡¨

YLT: ¡§Many indeed therefore other signs also did Jesus before his disciples that are not written in this book;¡¨

Meaning of Words: ¡§sign¡¨: mark;

 

John. 20:31 ¡§but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing you may have life in His name. ¡¨

YLT: ¡§and these have been written that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing ye may have life in his name.'¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§but these are written that you may believe that¡¨ it showed the purpose of writing this book.

  ¡§Jesus is the Christ the Son of God¡¨ ¡§Christ¡¨ is the call of the Lord¡¦s ministry. ¡§The Son of God¡¨ is the person of the Lord Jesus. He is the Christ of God coming to fulfill the will of God and complete the counsel of God. He is the Son of God coming to manifest God Himself and reveal God Himself.

  ¡§You may have life in His name¡¨ ¡§name¡¨ represents His person and His everything.

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) Christ relates to the work of God and the Son of God concerns the life of God. The Lord Jesus is the Son of God who comes to be the Christ of God and does the work of God through the life of God thus granting the life of God to believers. Meanwhile believers can also do the work of God through the life of God.

     2) ¡§Believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God¡¨ this is the ¡§truth¡¨. ¡§Have life in His name¡¨ this is ¡§grace¡¨. Grace and truth subsists through Jesus Christ (see v.1:17).

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

I.  The Resurrection and Manifestation of the Lord

A.   The Descriptions of the Resurrection

1.    The first day of the week (v.1a) ---- which symbolized that the old creature had finished and the old creature began (see 2Cor 5:17).

2.    Early (v.1b) ---- which symbolized that the risen life had broken through the power of darkness and brought men the dayspring (see Matt 4:16; Luke 1:78-79).

3.    The stone had been taken away from the tomb (v.5-6) ---- which symbolized that the risen life had swallowed the death (see 1Cor 15:54).

4.    The linen cloths lying¡Kthe handkerchief¡Kfolded together in a place by itself (v.5-7) ---- which symbolized that the risen life had removed all the bondages.

B.   The Testimonies of the Resurrection

1.    The one who saw the empty tomb first ---- Mary Magdalene (v.1) ---- who typified those who loved the Lord.

2.    Mary thought someone had taken away the Lord out of the tomb (v.2) ---- she did not understand the Lord¡¦s resurrection from the dead.

3.    When the two disciples saw the condition of the linen cloths and the handkerchief they believed (v.5-8) ---- they believed the Lord¡¦s word of His resurrection from the dead.

4.    They went away again to their own homes for they did not know the Scripture (v.9-10) ---- they could not connect the truth with life together.

5.    Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping (v.11) ---- love usually makes one muddled.

6.    She only cared about Her Lord. Even the angels could not distract her (v.12-13).

7.    When the Lord called Mary Mary suddenly realized it (v.16) ---- one should have the spiritual revelation and insight.

C.   The Effects of the Resurrection

1.    I am ascending to My Father (v.17a). ---- The resurrection had indicated that His death on the cross had met the demand of the Father and was granted by God the Father.

2.    My brethren¡K My Father and your Father¡K My God and your God (v.17b). ---- The resurrection had established a relation of life between God and believers.

3.    Peace be with you. (v.19 21 26) ---- The resurrection brought true peace in fearful conditions.

4.    Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord (v.20) ---- The resurrection brought true joy in sorrowful environment.

5.    As the Father has sent Me I also send you (v.21) ---- The resurrection brought the heavenly life to the earth.

6.    He breathed on them and said to them "Receive the Holy Spirit (v.22) ---- The resurrection turned the physical presence of the Lord outside to the inner presence in the Holy Spirit.

7.    If you forgive the sins of any they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any they are retained (v.23) ---- The resurrection brought the spiritual authority to the disciples.

8.    The resurrection removed the doubts and confirmed the disciples¡¦ faith (v. 24-29).

D.   How to See and Experience the Risen Christ?

1.    One should love and seek the Lord like Mary (v.1 11-16).

2.    One should believe the Lord¡¦s word and understand the Holy Scripture (v. 8-9).

3.    One should often partake in the gathering of the church (v. 19 26).

4.    One should doubt but always believe (v.24-29).

 

II.The Risen Lord Manifested Himself to Those Who Loved Him.

A.   There is no fear in love (v.1) ---- she did not fear the darkness at night the tomb the soldier and the coldness and etc.

B.   Love makes one run (v.4) ---- she sought the Lord earnestly.

C.   Love increases one¡¦s faith (v.8) ---- love and faith were complementary.

D.   Sensibility and rationality are in counterpoise (v.10-11) ---- Man is characterized by the rationality and woman is characterized by sensibility. They should be in counterpoise.

E.   Love makes one preserve (v.11-14) ---- she did not give up easily.

F.    Love covers many transgressions (v.2 11-15) ---- which covered many faults in knowledge.

G.   Love grants one the Lord¡¦s revelation (v.16-17) ---- she was awakened by the Lord.

H.   Love makes one be entrusted by the Lord (v.17b-18) ---- she was entrusted by the Lord. 

 

III.   The Wondrous Risen Body

A.   Mary saw Jesus standing there and did not know that it was Jesus (v.14) ---- His physical appearance was changed.

B.   When the doors were shut Jesus came and stood in the midst (v.19) ---- He was free from the physical obstacles.

C.   He showed them His hands and His side (v.20) ---- He still carried the physical scars.

D.   He said to Thomas "Reach your finger here and look at My hands; and reach your hand here and put it into My side (v.27) ---- He could be touched.

 

IV.  The Blessings Brought by the Manifestation of the Resurrection

A.   Peace be with you (v.19 21 26) ---- the heavenly peace.

B.   I also send you. (v.21) ---- the sending of the Lord.

C.   The Lord breathed on them and said to them "Receive the Holy Spirit. (v.22) ---- the indwelling spirit.

D.   If you forgive the sins of any they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any they are retained (v.23) ---- the heavenly authority.

E.   Do not doubt but believing (v. 24-27) ---- The doubts were removed and the faith was increased.

F.    Thomas answered and said to Him "My Lord and my God!" (v.28) ---- the truthful worship.

 

V.   Three Matters Concerning the Peace Granted by the Lord Jesus

A.   Which relates to the life (v.19)

B.   Which relates to the work (v.21)

C.   Which relates to the life (v.26)

 

VI.  The Failures of Thomas

A.   He had not partaken in the gathering of all the disciples (v.24) ---- who seldom partook in the gathering of the church.

B.   He did not believe the testimonies of all the disciples (v.25) ---- who did not believe others.

C.   Unless I see¡K I will not believe (v.25) ---- who walked by sight not by faith.

 

VII. The Teachings of the Lord about the Failure of Thomas

A.   Do not be unbelieving but believing (v.27).

B.   Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed (v.29).

 

VIII.   The Contents and Function of Faith

A.   The content of faith:

1.    To believe that Jesus is the Christ.

2.    To believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

B.   The Function of faith ---- that one may have life in His name.

 

¢w¢w Caleb Huang¡mChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series¡n

   Translated by Mary Zhou