An Expository Study of John’s Gospel
CHAPTER 20
Scripture Reading: John 20 (KJV)
MANIFESTATION OF THE SON OF GOD IN RESURRECTION POWER & GLORY
(Chapters 20, 21)
Read vs. 1-9
Resurrection: the theme of the Gospel. To many on that day, the cross seemed to be the end, but, it was only Friday. Sunday was coming. Jesus would “show Himself alive after His passion, by many infallible proofs” (Acts 1:3). What were some of these undeniable, infallible proofs? Bible Knowledge Commentary, by Waewood and Zucky points out fourteen:
1. Pilate required certification of Christ’s death before the body could be removed. Four executioners would sign the death notice.
2. Joseph of Arimathea would claim the body and the corpse would be placed in a new tomb, hewn out of solid rock (Mark 15:43-46).
3. Seventy-five pounds of aromatic spices were used in preparing Christ’s body for interment. Grave vestments were made of white linen. Starting at His feet, they would wrap to the armpits, put the arm down, and then wrap to the neck. A separate piece was wrapped around the head. Estimate of the cost of total encasement would be just less than one hundred British pounds, including the aloes and myrrh.
4. Matthew records this: “A great [large] stone was rolled against the front [only entrance] of the tomb” (Matt. 27:60; emphasis added). Mark describes the stone as “very great” (Mark 16:1-4). General estimates range from one and a half to two tons. One might rightfully ask, “How could they roll the stone in place to seal the tomb?” Such a huge stone would be held in place by a wedge as it sat in a trench or groove that gradually sloped to the front of the tomb. When the wedge was removed, the stone just rolled into place.
5. The security must have been exceptionally tight. Both Jews and Romans had a vested interest to see that the body was not disturbed. A Roman security-force, guard unit, consisted of 4 to 16 men, specially trained. Each man guarded six feet of ground. Death was the automatic sentence to any guard who failed in his duty. 6. The Roman seal was placed upon the stone. Breaking a Roman seal (representing the authority and integrity of the Roman Government was automatic execution by crucifixion, head downward.
7. The Empty tomb.
8. Great, large stone removed; up the incline.
9. The Roman guard left their station of duty and ran away.
10. The grave clothes (wrappings) lay empty as if the captor had escaped. There the grave clothes were, in the form of a body, much like the empty chrysalis of a caterpillar’s cocoon.
11. The many appearances Christ made in His resurrected form.
12. More than five hundred eye witnesses of Christ after His resurrection.
13. His special appearance to Thomas to examine His hands and side. 14. The marvelous change in the lives of His disciples and apostles.
The empty tomb
What wonderful words. In Egypt, one can visit the tombs (Pyramid) of the great Pharaohs. In England, you can stand by the tomb of David Livingstone. Kings, prophets, all lay moldering in dust. Yet, the new tomb of Joseph of Arimathea is empty today. We serve a risen Savior, confirmed by many infallible proofs. Every sermon in the Book of Acts is centered on the resurrection. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus is the heart of the Good News – Jesus lives, Christ reigns (1 Cor. 15:1-3). Read vs. 1-2 Friday is past; Sunday (1st day) has dawned. And, who is first at the tomb? Mary of Magdala (Greek term which can be rendered, “Mary Magdalene” (Matt. 28:1). She was the one delivered from the bondage of Satan by Jesus.
Illustration
Once, while serving as a life guard at a Christian camp, a young man saved a young girl from drowning. She had slipped into deep water and sank beneath the clear liquid of the river. The young man later said that she did not struggle, but her hands were stretched upward, her eyes wide open, searching frantically for his. Lifeguards are trained to spot the unusual. As the water was pumped from her lungs and her life was restored, she looked back at the “empty tomb.” For the rest of that week, as the young lifeguard talked to others, a little hand would worm its way into his, and once again their eyes met. He was her “savior” and she felt close to him. Mary So it was with Mary of Magdala. She was with Jesus in her new life and was seen at the foot of the cross; now she is the first at the grave. Next time you look at an empty coffin or tomb, look again, for it could well be yours on resurrection day. Since the tomb had been closed by a “great stone” (Mark 16:3f) and had been sealed by the authority of the Roman Governor, Pilate (Matt. 27:65, 66), the women (Matt. 28:1) were therefore startled to see the stone “taken away” and the tomb empty. These women lived in Bethany and evidently were not aware the Roman Governor had sealed the tomb. Mark records their concern about “who will roll away the stone” for us (Mark 16:3). When they saw the open and empty tomb, they ran and told Peter and John that a terrible thing had occurred; suspecting grave robbers had desecrated the tomb.
Read vs. 3-10
This is a very unique section of Scripture. It is a powerful eyewitness testimony of two men who first witnessed the empty tomb and believed. Jesus knew that by His teachings, the disciples still did not understand the Scripture that foretold His resurrection. The stone “rolled away” was for us. The confirmation of eyewitnesses was also for us. The empty wrappings and folded grave clothes were for us, too. “More blessed are they who see not, yet believe” (John 20:29), was written for us, as well.
Peter and John Peter
and John raced to the tomb. The soldiers are gone, the seal broken, and the stone rolled away. John out-ran Peter, but stopped at the entrance to the tomb; perhaps afraid of being “defiled.” Peter, in his traditional character, marched right in. John looked, Peter entered. Now both stood looking, how long we do not know. If the slab on which Jesus was laid, the linen, the wrappings, and the napkin, could think, they may have wondered, “What has happened to our Captive?” (1 Cor. 15:35). “They saw . . . they believed” – what a marvelous combination of words. The morning star had risen, hope was born again, a new song would be sung and the Good News would be preached.
Read vs. 11-18
Many enjoyed the television show, “This is Your Life”. Ralph Edwards was the host and the surprised, honored guest usually shed tears, as one voice after another from the past was heard, then appeared in person. Mary (honored guest), first to witness the risen Christ, would have had the greatest, “This is Your Life”, and would have had the greatest recognition scene in the history of the world, from the beginning until today. Peter and John out-ran her to the tomb. By the time she arrived, they had left. So, she stood there weeping. Even when He appeared, she did not recognize Him through her veil of tears. She first stooped down and looked in the tomb and saw two angels. Angels are messengers and most often in the Bible appear as men. Perhaps she was too full of grief to notice anything unusual. “Why are you crying?” they asked. “Someone has taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have laid Him.” As she turned around, Jesus stood in front of her. Did Jesus look different after His resurrection; was it her tears; was it a spiritual blindness that dimmed the eyes of the disciples on the Emmaus Road (Luke 24:16)?
Jesus appears to Mary
Jesus calls her by name: “Mary.” It is refreshing to realize that He knows us by name (John 10:3-4). She exclaimed, “Rabboni” (meaning “my teacher”). Jesus said, “Touch Me not for I am not yet ascended unto My Father, but go to My brethren and say to them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father, and to My God and your God.” Admittedly, this is a difficult passage, and it is doubtful anyone can give an answer satisfying all questions. He certainly did not want people touching Him after His resurrection (John 20:27; Luke 28:39; Matt. 28:9). After all, according to Hebrews Christ is our High Priest, and as such would have had to take His pure sacrificial blood, untouched, into the presence of God, and as our High Priest, would have sprinkled it there, as done by the High Priest once a year. Was He saying to Mary, in total shock and surprise, “Do not be afraid”? Did these words carry with them the beginning of a spiritual application, a new relationship, more spiritual and less physical? Or, was He saying: “Don’t linger. Hasten to tell My brethren that I am risen.” No explanation will be entirely satisfying, but, we favor the High Priest explanation. What a glorious message this first eye-witness carried to the brethren. “I have seen My Lord . . . let me tell you what He said.” This is the message of every Christian of all ages, “I have seen the Lord . . . let me tell you what He said.”
Read vs. 19-23
The disciples met in fear. The comfort of dying together is better than dying alone. The events of the last three days were difficult at least, overwhelming at most. The Israelites who killed Jesus might knock at the door any moment. Pentecost seemed a long way off. The door was shut and most likely barred. They moved about in silence, spoke in whispers. Then Jesus came. The normal, everyday Eastern greeting was spoken, “Peace be unto you”, or “May God’s richest blessing fall upon you.” No doubt, the disciples had many questions in their hearts; how did the Lord get into the room? How did He get out of the tomb? Evidently, Thomas did not go to “church” on Sunday night. Nothing exciting ever happens. Where was Thomas? Walking alone on those ancient cobblestone Streets? There was no star in his sky; no light on his horizon. He had lost his hope. His Master had been beaten, and then crucified. John says it all in fifteen words, “But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymas [twin], was not with them when Jesus called” (v. 24). Everything they received, he missed. To receive peace in heart from Jesus is no little thing.
Unlimited commission
“As My Father has sent Me, so send I you.” Here was the unlimited commission. He would later say, “Go to all nations . . . make disciples of all people.” John later wrote, “[Christ] hast redeemed us to God by His blood, out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9; emphasis added). The Lord’s disciples were in desperate need of renewal; inner spiritual strength. “He breathed on them and said, receive ye the Holy Spirit.” This reception of the Spirit was somewhat of a down-payment of that which was to come on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). A partial, limited gift of: knowledge, wisdom, understanding, and empowerment, and Thomas missed it all.
Gospel message
The message of the Gospel is forgiveness. These men will introduce that forgiveness to the world (Acts 2:36-38). The Lord’s first encounter with Peter ended with the words, “Don’t you be afraid, from now on you will catch men” (Luke 5:10). The price will soon be paid; forgiveness will be available to those who believe the message and receive the Lord. Those who refuse will die in their sins. These men and those converted by the power of truth will be the agents through whom forgiveness is given. But, as long as a person continues rejecting the sacrifice of Christ, a Christian can announce that one is not forgiven.
Read vs. 24-29
The disciples find Thomas and, with great joy and excitement, announce the Lord’s resurrection: “We have seen the Lord.” “Well, I haven’t” came the gloomy reply. Thomas probably was the most realistic and pragmatic of all the apostles. Perhaps, occasionally, you have experienced a personal desire to confirm your faith with sight. Some who read these words would like to feel the nail prints and the scar in His side. Thomas gave a sad, but understandable, statement, “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.” Thomas did not want to believe, he wanted to see and touch. The principle can be stated, “One may have doubts in his mind (logic) and faith in his heart (mind) at the same time.” Resurrection is not logical. In fact, the whole scheme of redemption is laughable to the logical mind of man. Thomas was really saying, “I don’t want to believe, see, or even feel; I want to know.”
Thomas and the Lord
A week passes and another meeting is set. Someone ventured a guess; if the time of the meeting was for eight o’clock, Thomas will probably get there at four. Same place, same time, doors shut, locked; Jesus appears. Same greeting, “Peace be unto you.” The Lord chatted with Andrew, spoke to Simon. He said 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.” Imagine the trembling hand of Thomas, examining the scars on the body of Christ. Then Thomas made the greatest confession that ever moistened the lips of human kind, “My Lord and my God.” Jesus did not say, “O Thomas, I’m so glad you came, touched, and now believe. We would not have been able to carry on without you.” To the contrary, the Lord said, “Because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed.” All the other disciples believed because they saw the risen Lord; Thomas should have been no different.
A greater blessing
Now a greater blessing is given, “Blessed are they which have not seen yet have believed.” The Lord is speaking of a sightless faith, borne in the testimony of others. He is speaking of us. Thomas made but one mistake. He withdrew from Christian fellowship – “He was not with them when Jesus came.” When sorrow comes and sadness prevails, this is when we need each other; need to be together the most. Thomas was honest. He would not pretend to believe when he still had honest doubts. When he examined the Lord’s body, and the truth was known, he immediately went the other way, “My Lord and my God.” Read vs. 30-31 Now we come to the purpose of the Book (Gospel) of John. In these two verses a reason is given for all the evidence that is written. “These are written that ye might believe.”
1. The design of hearing evidence is singular; believe it.
2. The design of faith or belief is singular; act upon it.
3. The design of obedience is singular; it brings one into the life of Christ.
“Believe . . . Jesus is Christ” – the anointed, unique, promised One. “The Son of God” – incarnate, Emmanuel, God with us. “Believing . . . you may have life through His name.”
