The Resurrection
(Matthew 28:1–10; Mark 16:1–8; Luke 24:1–12)
1Early on the first day of the week,† while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,” she said, “and we do not know where they have put Him!”
The other disciple was probably John, “the disciple...
The other disciple was probably John, “the disciple Jesus loved” and author of this Gospel (see 13:23). He and Peter validated Mary’s testimony by examining the tomb for themselves. John arrived first, but Peter entered first.
3Then Peter and the other disciple set out for the tomb. 4The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5He bent down and looked in at the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.
What Peter and John found in the tomb...
What Peter and John found in the tomb was remarkable. The linen wrappings (19:40) were on the burial bench. Jews also used a facial cloth for burials (cp. 11:44), which was rolled, wrapped under the chin, and tied on the top of the head. The apostles found this face cloth folded up on the bench. John’s inclusion of these details counters any suggestion that grave robbers had taken Jesus’ body; such costly garments would have been stolen in a robbery.
6Simon Peter arrived just after him. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. 7The cloth† that had been around Jesus’ head was rolled up, lying separate from the linen cloths.
he saw and believed: Despite not fully understanding,...
he saw and believed: Despite not fully understanding, John knew that God had been at work, and he realized that Jesus was alive.
8Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in. And he saw and believed. 9For they still did not understand from the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
10Then the disciples returned to their homes.
Although two... angels appeared inside the tomb, the...
- Although two . . . angels appeared inside the tomb, the riddle of Jesus’ disappearance remained unsolved (see Luke 24:4).
- why are you crying? Sorrow was not the appropriate response in this moment.
11But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent down to look into the tomb, 12and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and the other at the feet.
13“Woman, why are you weeping?” they asked. “Because they have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I do not know where they have put Him.”
Jesus, whom Mary mistook for the gardener, repeated...
Jesus, whom Mary mistook for the gardener, repeated the angel’s question and added, Who are you looking for? Jesus’ question was to provoke Mary’s thinking: At this point Mary was looking for the body of Jesus, but she was about to meet the living Christ.
14When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. But she did not recognize that it was Jesus.
15“Woman, why are you weeping?” Jesus asked. “Whom are you seeking?” Thinking He was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried Him off, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.”
16Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew,† “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
17“Do not cling to Me,” Jesus said, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and tell My brothers, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’”
18Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what He had said to her.
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
19It was the first day of the week, and that very evening, while the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you!” He said to them. 20After He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
21Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.” 22When He had said this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.”
Jesus Appears to Thomas
Thomas: See also 11:16; 14:5). Thomas was absent...
Thomas: See also 11:16; 14:5). Thomas was absent when Jesus revealed himself. He remained skeptical despite the testimony of his friends, who had seen the Lord. Thomas demanded a concrete experience identical to theirs.
24Now Thomas called Didymus,† one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails have been, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.”
Eight days later was Sunday, one week after...
- Eight days later was Sunday, one week after Jesus’ resurrection (it was customary to include the current day when counting forward). Jesus’ appearance on the following Sunday helps explain the disciples’ meeting on “the Lord’s Day” (see Rev 1:10).
- Peace be with you: This scene was exactly like Jesus’ first appearance (John 20:19–20). Jesus had already heard Thomas’s complaint and now answered directly.
- Believe! Jesus challenged Thomas to believe in the resurrection like the others.
26Eight days later, His disciples were once again inside with the doors locked, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
27Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!”
29Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
The Purpose of John’s Book
Many scholars view these words as the conclusion...
Many scholars view these words as the conclusion of John’s Gospel, viewing ch 21 as an appendix. John’s account is only a selection from Jesus’ many . . . miraculous signs.
30Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book. 31But these are written so that you may believe† that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.