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Summary

John 20:1–10 – The Empty Tomb

What happens:
Early on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene finds the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. She runs to tell Peter and the other disciple. They race to the tomb; the beloved disciple arrives first but waits for Peter, who enters and sees the linen wrappings. The other disciple then goes in, believes, and they return home marveling at what they’ve seen.

What it means:
The empty tomb confirms Jesus’ resurrection and invites belief based on eyewitness evidence. Faith begins with seeing God’s extraordinary work and trusting his promises above all doubt.


John 20:11–18 – Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

What happens:
Mary stands weeping outside the tomb and sees two angels. They ask why she weeps. Turning, she sees Jesus but does not recognize him until he speaks her name. She cries out “Rabboni!” and Jesus tells her not to hold on but to go and tell the disciples that he is ascending to the Father.

What it means:
Personal encounter with the risen Christ transforms grief into mission. Jesus’ calling by name shows his intimate care and commissions believers as witnesses of his resurrection and ascension.


John 20:19–23 – Jesus Appears to the Disciples

What happens:
That evening, behind locked doors, Jesus appears and says “Peace be with you.” He shows his wounds, breathes on them, and says “Receive the Holy Spirit.” He sends them as the Father sent him, giving authority to forgive sins.

What it means:
Jesus imparts peace, forgiveness, and empowering presence to his followers. The gift of the Spirit equips the church to continue Christ’s reconciling work in the world.


John 20:24–29 – Jesus and Thomas

What happens:
Thomas, absent at the first appearance, doubts until he sees and touches Jesus’ wounds. Jesus invites him to believe without seeing. Thomas responds “My Lord and my God!” Jesus blesses those who believe without physical proof.

What it means:
Faith is commended over sight. Jesus honors honest doubt and reveals that peace with him leads to worshipful confession and blessing for those who trust beyond evidence.


John 20:30–31 – Purpose of the Gospel

What happens:
John explains that Jesus performed many signs not recorded here so that readers may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing have life in his name.

What it means:
The Gospel’s purpose is to inspire faith in Christ’s identity and to grant eternal life. Belief in Jesus transforms reading into life-giving encounter.


Application

  • Look for the risen Lord in moments of doubt, trusting the evidence of his resurrection
  • Respond to Jesus’ personal call with worship and obedience, becoming his witness to others
  • Embrace the peace and forgiveness he offers, relying on the Holy Spirit for your mission
  • Value faith that trusts beyond sight, resting in the blessing Jesus pronounces on believers
  • Let the Gospel’s purpose guide your reading and sharing of Scripture, inviting others to life in Christ

Bible

1The 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.

2Then 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

13And 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.

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

15Jesus 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.

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

17Jesus 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.

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

19Then 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.

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

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

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

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

24But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

25The 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.

26And 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.

27Then 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.

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

29Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

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

31But 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.

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