John 20

1. Mary Magdalene. Mary Magdalene was not alone (see parallel passages), but she is singled out by the narrator, perhaps, because she first brought the news to the apostles; or because of the subsequent narrative (11-18).

the stone. The stone mentioned in Matt. xxvii. 60; Mark xv. 46.

4 did outrun Peter. Being younger and more active. Yet when he arrives he remains outside the tomb, as if overcome with emotion or dread. Peter, more manly and practical, enters at once. These vivid and natural details are those of an actor in the scene.

6 linen clothes. See note on Luke xxiv. 12. This orderly arrangement of the grave-clothes seem to have been the first thing to make the evangelist feel that Jesus must have risen from the dead. The Greek word translated “wrapped together” (7) and its Latin equivalent “involutum,” suggest the careful folding of the napkin.

8 and he saw, and believed. He believed simply because he saw these things; for he did not yet understand the predictions, and therefore did not expect their fulfilment. “Here is an incident in the author’s inmost life. He initiates us into the way by which he reached faith in the resurrection first of all, and then through it, to complete faith in Christ as the Messiah and Son of God” (Godet).

10 their own home. Their lodging in Jerusalem (xix. 27).

11. But Mary stood without, etc. She probably arrived at the sepulchre soon after Peter and John had left it. Perhaps her tears may have blinded her to the person of her Lord (15). Conviction reached her not through the eye, but through the ear, as she recognised the voice which had bidden the demons depart from her (ver. 16: see Mark xvi. 9).

15. If thou have (hast) borne Him hence. Not mentioning the name. There was at that moment but One person in the world for her! An eminently characteristic touch.

17. Touch me not. Cling not to me now. Our Lord did not always refuse such tokens of attachment (see Matt. xxviii. 9). He probably means to say, You have now full proof that I am risen. This is not the time for renewing your full communion with me. I shall soon ascend to the Father, and then you will behold me in the near and higher relationship already promised (xvi. 16). But now go quickly, and carry my message to my disciples.

my brethren. A new title, indicating spiritual relationship: cp. Matt. xxviii. 10.

I ascend, etc. “I am ascending”—already on my way. These words, addressed to those who had fled in the hour of trial, must have been unspeakably cheering, conveying to them the assurance not only that they were forgiven, but that their Lord was still truly one with them in nature, and sympathy, and relation to the Father. They encourage His people in all ages to believe that, though in glory, He is still identified with them.

19 being the first [day] of the week. Rather, as R.V., “on that day, the first day of the week”; the very day of His resurrection.

when the doors were shut. It is clearly implied that He entered the room miraculously. This event is related more fully in Luke xxiv. 36-44, on which see notes.

Peace [be] unto you. This was the ordinary salutation, but it was used by our Lord, as before (see xiv. 27, and note), with peculiar meaning; and was emphatically repeated (21) before He renewed to the apostles His commission to proclaim the Gospel of peace (2 Cor. v. 18).

20. Then were the disciples glad. At first “they believed not for joy,” Luke xxiv. 41; but then the conviction that they really “saw the Lord” brought to them the first-fruits of that yet deeper joy promised in xvi. 22; on which see note.

22 breathed. The same is used in Gen. ii. 7, Sept., of the first bestowal of man’s natural life.

23. Whose soever sins ye remit (forgive), etc. See Matt. xvi. 19, and note.

24. Thomas, etc. Thomas, hearing that his fellow-disciples had had sensible proof of the Lord’s resurrection, requires the same; though their testimony ought to have been enough for him, as it has been for so many who have been “blessed” in believing it (29). Nay, he demands the evidence not only of sight, but also of touch. In granting it, our Lord gave a fresh proof of His condescension to feeble faith, and a further evidence that He arose with the same body which had suffered.

26 after eight days. That is, on that day week. The disciples had probably met together every day in the interval. But our Lord peculiarly honoured the first day of the week, by choosing it for His second appearance to them (see Rev. i. 10).

27. Then saith He to Thomas. Showing His knowledge of the disciple’s scepticism.

thrust. Rather, “put.” The spear-wound was large enough to admit the hand. The Saviour’s patience in dealing with doubt might well be imitated by His followers, who have sometimes repelled honest inquirers by their harshness and lack of sympathy.

be not faithless. Lit., “Do not become faithless,” or “unbelieving.” Do not indulge the habit of doubting and demanding fresh proof. It was undoubtedly this proof of our Lord’s insight into his character, and of His evidently superhuman knowledge, as well as the proffered evidence, from sight and touch, to the reality of His resurrection, which led to Thomas’s immediate confession. Cp. the case of Nathanael, i. 49.

28. My Lord and my God. Thomas, in these words, clearly addresses Jesus, recognising not only His Messiahship, but His Deity. John records this confession in harmony with the purpose of his Gospel: cp. ver. 31 and i. 1-3.

29 because thou hast seen me. This suggests that Thomas did not avail himself of our Lord’s permission to touch His body.

blessed [are] they that have not seen, etc. The faith which accepts Christ on the ground of miracle actually beheld could, from the nature of the case, be possible only to a few: that resting upon testimony would characterise the Church through all time.

30 which are not written in this book. John wrote not to gratify curiosity, but to promote faith: he therefore does not profess to give a complete account of everything that Jesus said and did (which indeed would have been impossible, xxi. 25), nor even to relate all the “signs” which He wrought; but to give enough to convince those who had “not seen” (29), in order that they might be “blessed” with “eternal life,” by believing in Him as “the Son of God” (i. 14, 18).

See also notes on the several passages.

1. To the companions of Mary Magdalene (Matt. xxviii.). 2. To Mary Magdalene herself (John xx.). Some transpose these two. 3. To Peter (1 Cor. xv. 5; Mark xvi. 7). 4. To the two disciples on the way to Emmaus (Luke xxiv.). 5. To the apostles, excepting Thomas (1 Cor. xv. 5; John xx.). 6. To the apostles, including Thomas (John xx.). 7. To nine apostles at the Sea of Tiberias (John xxi.). 8. To above five hundred brethren at once (1 Cor. xv. 6; Matt. xxviii. 16-20). 9. To James, “the Lord’s brother” (1 Cor. xv. 7).

10. To all the apostles (repeatedly) in Jerusalem (Acts i. 3-8; 1 Cor. xv. 7).

The Ascension is recorded by Luke (xxiv. 50-53; Acts i. 9; and in the last verses of Mark (xvi. 19, 20).