Bible Commentaries
John 20

Introduction

Overview

John 20:1, Mary comes to the sepulchre; John 20:3, so do Peter and John, ignorant of the resurrection; John 20:11, Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, John 20:19. and to his disciples; John 20:24, The incredulity and confession of Thomas; John 20:30, The Scripture is sufficient to salvation.

Verse 1

first: John 20:19, John 20:26, Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2, Revelation 1:10

cometh: Mary Magdalene, as well as Peter, was evidently at the sepulchre twice on that morning of the resurrection. The first time of her going was some short time before her companions, the other Mary and Salome - Matthew 28:1, and observing that the stone had been removed, she returned to inform Peter and John. In the meantime, the other Mary and Salome came to the sepulchre, and saw the angel, as recorded by Matthew and Mark. While these women returned to the city, Peter and John went to the sepulchre, passing them at some distance, or going another way, followed by Mary Magdalene, who stayed after their return. This was her second journey; when she saw two angels, and then Jesus himself, as here related; and immediately after Jesus appeared to the other women, as they returned to the city - Matthew 28:9, Matthew 28:10. In the meantime Joanna and her company arrived at the sepulchre, when two angels appeared to them, and addressed them as the one angel had done the other women - Luke 24:1-10. They immediately returned to the city, and by some means found the apostles before the others arrived, and informed them of what they had seen; upon which Peter went a second time to the sepulchre, but saw only the linen clothes lying - Luke 24:12. Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1, Mark 16:2, Mark 16:9, Luke 24:1-10

the stone: Matthew 27:60, Matthew 27:64-66, Matthew 28:2, Mark 15:46, Mark 16:3, Mark 16:4

Reciprocal: Joshua 22:11 - heard Matthew 27:56 - Mary Magdalene Luke 2:15 - Let Luke 24:2 - General Luke 24:22 - General Luke 24:24 - went John 19:25 - and Mary Acts 1:3 - he showed Acts 10:41 - Not 1 Corinthians 15:4 - he rose

Verse 2

to the: John 13:23, John 19:26, John 21:7, John 21:20, John 21:24

They have taken: John 20:9, John 20:13, John 20:15, Matthew 27:63, Matthew 27:64

Reciprocal: Matthew 10:2 - John Mark 10:17 - running Luke 24:1 - upon Luke 24:2 - General Luke 24:22 - General John 11:34 - General Acts 3:1 - Peter

Verse 3

Luke 24:12

Verse 4

outrun: 2 Samuel 18:23, Leviticus 13:30, 1 Corinthians 9:24, 2 Corinthians 8:12

Reciprocal: Matthew 28:6 - Come

Verse 5

saw: John 11:44, John 19:40

Verse 6

John 6:67-69, John 18:17, John 18:25-27, John 21:7, John 21:15-17, Matthew 16:15, Matthew 16:16, Luke 22:31, Luke 22:32

Reciprocal: Luke 24:3 - General

Verse 7

John 11:44

Reciprocal: Luke 24:3 - General

Verse 8

and he: John 20:25, John 20:29, John 1:50

Reciprocal: Mark 16:5 - entering Mark 16:13 - neither John 2:22 - and they

Verse 9

they: Matthew 16:21, Matthew 16:22, Mark 8:31-33, Mark 9:9, Mark 9:10, Mark 9:31, Mark 9:32, Luke 9:45, Luke 18:33, Luke 18:34, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:44-46

that: Psalms 16:10, Psalms 22:15, Psalms 22:22-31, Isaiah 25:8, Isaiah 26:19, Isaiah 53:10-12, Hosea 13:14, Acts 2:25-32, Acts 13:29-37, 1 Corinthians 15:4

Reciprocal: Matthew 22:29 - not Mark 12:24 - Do John 2:22 - and they John 20:2 - They have taken

Verse 10

went: John 7:53, John 16:32

Verse 11

Reciprocal: Mark 15:40 - Mary Magdalene Mark 16:5 - a young Luke 24:4 - two men Luke 24:10 - General John 16:6 - General John 19:25 - and Mary

Verse 12

seeth: Matthew 28:3-5, Mark 16:5, Mark 16:6, Luke 24:3-7, Luke 24:22, Luke 24:23

in: 2 Chronicles 5:12, Daniel 7:9, Matthew 17:2, Acts 1:10, Revelation 3:4, Revelation 7:14

Reciprocal: Joshua 22:11 - heard Matthew 28:2 - for Luke 24:4 - two men 1 Timothy 3:16 - seen

Verse 13

Woman: John 2:4, John 19:26

why: John 20:15, John 14:27, John 14:28, John 16:6, John 16:7, John 16:20-22, 1 Samuel 1:8, Psalms 43:3-5, Ecclesiastes 3:4, Jeremiah 31:16, Luke 24:17, Acts 21:13

Because: John 20:2

Reciprocal: Matthew 28:2 - for Matthew 28:5 - ye seek Luke 7:13 - Weep not Luke 24:31 - their eyes Philippians 3:8 - my Hebrews 7:14 - Our Lord Revelation 5:5 - Weep

Verse 14

and saw: Song of Solomon 3:3, Song of Solomon 3:4, Matthew 28:9, Mark 16:9

and knew: John 8:59, John 21:4, Mark 16:12, Luke 4:30, Luke 24:16, Luke 24:31

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:8 - but they knew John 20:25 - We

Verse 15

whom: John 1:38, John 18:4, John 18:7, Song of Solomon 3:2, Song of Solomon 6:1, Matthew 28:5, Mark 16:6, Luke 24:5

if: 1 Samuel 1:16, Matthew 12:34

Reciprocal: Genesis 37:15 - What 1 Samuel 1:8 - why weepest Song of Solomon 3:3 - Saw Ezekiel 34:31 - ye my Luke 7:13 - Weep not John 2:4 - Woman John 6:24 - seeking John 19:41 - and in John 20:2 - They have taken John 20:13 - why

Verse 16

Mary: John 10:3, Genesis 22:1, Genesis 22:11, Exodus 3:4, Exodus 33:17, 1 Samuel 3:6, 1 Samuel 3:10, Isaiah 43:1, Luke 10:41, Acts 9:4, Acts 10:3

She: Genesis 45:12, Song of Solomon 2:8-17, Song of Solomon 3:4, Song of Solomon 5:2, Matthew 14:27

Rabboni: John 20:28, John 1:38, John 1:49, John 3:2, John 6:25, John 11:28, John 13:13, Matthew 23:8-10

Reciprocal: Matthew 23:7 - Rabbi Matthew 26:18 - The Master Mark 14:45 - Master

Verse 17

Touch: Or rather, "embrace me not," or, "cling not to me," (לח [Strong's G3361], לןץ [Strong's G3450], בנפןם), "Spend no more time with me now in joyful gratulations: for I am not yet immediately going to ascend to my Father; you will have several opportunities of seeing me again; but go and tell my disciples that I shall depart to my Father and your Father." John 20:27, 2 Kings 4:29, 2 Kings 7:9, Matthew 28:7, Matthew 28:9, Luke 10:4

my brethren: Psalms 22:22, Matthew 12:50, Matthew 25:40, Matthew 28:10, Romans 8:29, Hebrews 2:11-13

I ascend: John 13:1, John 13:3, John 14:2, John 14:6, John 14:28, John 16:28, John 17:5, John 17:11, John 17:25, Psalms 68:18, Psalms 89:26, Luke 24:49-51, Ephesians 1:17-23, Ephesians 4:8-10, 1 Peter 1:3

your Father: John 1:12, John 1:13, Romans 8:14-17, 2 Corinthians 6:18, Galatians 3:26, Galatians 4:6, Galatians 4:7, 1 John 3:2, Revelation 21:7

your God: Genesis 17:7, Genesis 17:8, Psalms 43:4, Psalms 48:14, Isaiah 41:10, Jeremiah 31:33, Jeremiah 32:38, Ezekiel 36:28, Ezekiel 37:27, Zechariah 13:7-9, Hebrews 8:10, Hebrews 11:16, Revelation 21:3

Reciprocal: Psalms 16:6 - I have Psalms 22:10 - thou Psalms 24:3 - Who Psalms 31:14 - Thou Psalms 45:7 - thy God Psalms 63:1 - thou Psalms 103:13 - Like Song of Solomon 3:4 - I held Jeremiah 31:1 - will Daniel 6:22 - My God Hosea 9:17 - My God Micah 5:4 - the Lord Zechariah 11:4 - Lord Matthew 6:6 - pray Matthew 6:9 - Our Matthew 12:49 - his disciples Mark 3:34 - Behold Luke 8:21 - My mother Luke 12:30 - your Luke 24:51 - he was John 2:16 - my John 15:15 - I call John 18:11 - my Acts 1:2 - the day Romans 1:7 - God Romans 8:15 - Abba Romans 15:6 - the 1 Corinthians 8:6 - one God 2 Corinthians 1:3 - the Father of our 2 Corinthians 11:31 - God Ephesians 1:3 - God Ephesians 1:5 - by Ephesians 4:6 - God Ephesians 4:9 - he ascended Philippians 4:19 - God Colossians 1:12 - the Father 1 Thessalonians 3:11 - God Hebrews 1:9 - thy God 2 Peter 1:17 - God

Verse 18

came: Matthew 28:10, Mark 16:10-13, Luke 24:10

Reciprocal: Daniel 6:22 - My God Matthew 27:56 - Mary Magdalene Matthew 28:7 - go Luke 24:22 - General

Verse 19

the same: Mark 16:14, Luke 24:36-49, 1 Corinthians 15:5

when: John 20:26, Nehemiah 6:10, Nehemiah 6:11

came: John 14:19-23, John 16:22, Matthew 18:20

Peace: John 20:21, John 14:27, John 16:33, Psalms 85:8-10, Isaiah 57:18, Isaiah 57:19, Matthew 10:13, Luke 24:36, Romans 15:33, Ephesians 2:14, Ephesians 6:23, Philippians 1:2, 2 Thessalonians 3:16, Hebrews 7:2, Revelation 1:4

Reciprocal: Genesis 43:23 - Peace Judges 6:23 - Peace be Psalms 118:24 - the day Proverbs 16:24 - Pleasant Isaiah 42:3 - bruised Matthew 28:9 - All hail Mark 6:50 - it is I Mark 16:9 - the first Luke 24:33 - and found John 7:13 - spake John 9:22 - because John 16:16 - a little while John 20:1 - first John 21:1 - these John 21:14 - the third time Acts 12:10 - which Acts 13:31 - he was Acts 20:7 - the first 1 Corinthians 15:44 - there is a spiritual 1 Corinthians 16:2 - the first Hebrews 10:25 - forsaking 1 Peter 5:14 - Peace Revelation 1:10 - on the

Verse 20

he showed: John 20:27, Luke 24:39, Luke 24:40, 1 John 1:1

Then: John 16:22, Isaiah 25:8, Isaiah 25:9, Matthew 28:8, Luke 24:41

Reciprocal: Psalms 69:32 - The humble Psalms 118:24 - the day Matthew 27:35 - they crucified Mark 2:7 - who Mark 6:50 - it is I Mark 16:14 - he appeared John 20:25 - Except John 21:7 - It is

Verse 21

Peace: John 14:27

as: John 13:20, John 17:18, John 17:19, John 21:15-17, Isaiah 63:1-3, Matthew 10:16, Matthew 10:40, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 24:47-49, Acts 1:8, 2 Timothy 2:2, Hebrews 3:1

Reciprocal: Genesis 43:23 - Peace Numbers 6:26 - give thee Isaiah 22:24 - hang Isaiah 48:16 - the Lord God Jeremiah 23:21 - General Ezekiel 2:3 - I send Malachi 2:7 - the messenger Matthew 9:6 - that the Matthew 9:38 - the Lord Matthew 10:5 - sent Matthew 13:37 - is Matthew 23:34 - I send Matthew 28:8 - with Luke 4:43 - therefore John 14:28 - Father John 15:16 - ordained John 17:22 - the glory John 20:19 - Peace Acts 1:2 - the apostles Acts 5:31 - forgiveness Romans 10:15 - And how 1 Corinthians 1:1 - an 2 Corinthians 5:20 - ambassadors Galatians 1:1 - and 2 Peter 1:1 - an apostle 1 John 4:6 - he that knoweth

Verse 22

he breathed: Genesis 2:7, Job 33:4, Psalms 33:6, Ezekiel 37:9

Receive: John 14:16, John 15:26, John 16:7, Acts 2:4, Acts 2:38, Acts 4:8, Acts 8:15, Acts 10:47, Acts 19:2, Galatians 3:2

Reciprocal: Isaiah 48:16 - the Lord God Ezekiel 2:3 - I send Ezekiel 37:5 - I will Malachi 2:15 - the spirit Luke 5:24 - power John 14:26 - Holy Ghost Acts 1:4 - the promise Revelation 3:1 - he that

Verse 23

Matthew 16:19, Matthew 18:18, Mark 2:5-10, Acts 2:38, Acts 10:43, Acts 13:38, Acts 13:39, 1 Corinthians 5:4, 2 Corinthians 2:6-10, Ephesians 2:20, 1 Timothy 1:20

Reciprocal: Leviticus 13:3 - pronounce Deuteronomy 17:12 - the priest Luke 5:24 - power 2 Corinthians 2:10 - whom ye Ephesians 1:7 - the forgiveness

Verse 24

Thomas: John 11:16, John 14:5, John 21:2, Matthew 10:3

was: John 6:66, John 6:67, Matthew 18:20, Hebrews 10:25

Reciprocal: Mark 3:18 - Thomas Luke 6:15 - Thomas John 20:26 - Thomas

Verse 25

We: John 20:14-20, John 1:41, John 21:7, Mark 16:11, Luke 24:34-40, Acts 5:30-32, Acts 10:40, Acts 10:41, 1 Corinthians 15:5-8

Except: John 20:20, John 6:30, Job 9:16, Psalms 78:11-22, Psalms 78:32, Psalms 95:8-10, Psalms 106:21-24, Matthew 16:1-4, Matthew 27:42, Luke 24:25, Luke 24:39-41, Hebrews 3:12, Hebrews 3:18, Hebrews 3:19, Hebrews 4:1, Hebrews 4:2, Hebrews 10:38, Hebrews 10:39

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 10:7 - I believed 2 Chronicles 9:6 - I believed Psalms 22:16 - they pierced Daniel 11:35 - some Matthew 27:35 - they crucified Mark 15:32 - Christ Mark 16:13 - neither John 14:5 - Thomas John 20:8 - and he John 20:27 - Reach hither thy finger

Verse 26

eight: John 20:19, Matthew 17:1, Luke 9:28

Thomas: John 20:24

Peace: John 20:19, Isaiah 26:12, Isaiah 27:5, Isaiah 54:10

Reciprocal: Genesis 43:23 - Peace Numbers 6:26 - give thee Judges 6:23 - Peace be Psalms 85:8 - for he Matthew 18:20 - two Luke 24:36 - Peace John 14:27 - Peace I leave John 21:14 - the third time Acts 1:13 - Thomas Acts 2:32 - whereof Acts 12:10 - which Acts 20:7 - the first Romans 10:9 - and shalt 1 Corinthians 15:44 - there is a spiritual 1 Corinthians 16:2 - the first 1 Peter 5:14 - Peace Revelation 1:10 - on the

Verse 27

Reach hither thy finger: John 20:25, Psalms 78:38, Psalms 103:13, Psalms 103:14, Romans 5:20, 1 Timothy 1:14-16, 1 John 1:1, 1 John 1:2

reach hither thy hand: 1 John 1:1

and be: Matthew 17:17, Mark 9:19, Luke 9:41, 1 Timothy 1:14

Reciprocal: Genesis 45:12 - your eyes Exodus 4:5 - That they Psalms 22:16 - they pierced Isaiah 42:3 - bruised Matthew 6:30 - O ye Matthew 27:35 - they crucified Mark 16:14 - and upbraided Luke 24:39 - my hands John 20:17 - Touch John 20:20 - he showed Romans 4:19 - being Philippians 4:19 - God Hebrews 3:1 - consider

Verse 28

My Lord: The disbelief of the apostle is the means of furnishing us with a full and satisfactory demonstration of the resurrection of our Lord. Throughout the divine dispensations every doctrine and ever important truth is gradually revealed; and here we have a conspicuous instance of the progressive system. An angel first declares the glorious event; the empty sepulchre confirms the women's report. Christ's appearance to Mary Magdalene shewed that he was alive; that to the disciples at Emmaus proved that it was at the least the spirit of Christ; that to the eleven shewed the reality of his body; and the conviction given to Thomas proved it the self-same body that had been crucified. Incredulity itself is satisfied; and the convinced apostle exclaims, in the joy of his heart, "My Lord and my God!" John 20:16, John 20:31, John 5:23, John 9:35-38, Psalms 45:6, Psalms 45:11, Psalms 102:24-28, Psalms 118:24-28, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 25:9, Isaiah 40:9-11, Jeremiah 23:5, Jeremiah 23:6, Malachi 3:1, Matthew 14:33, Luke 24:52, Acts 7:59, Acts 7:60, 1 Timothy 3:16, Revelation 5:9-14

Reciprocal: Joshua 5:14 - my lord Psalms 8:1 - our Psalms 16:2 - thou hast Psalms 35:23 - my God Psalms 97:10 - preserveth Daniel 10:16 - my Lord Hosea 9:17 - My God Matthew 2:2 - worship Matthew 22:42 - What Matthew 22:44 - my Lord Matthew 28:9 - worshipped Luke 1:43 - my Luke 23:42 - Lord John 1:1 - the Word was John 1:34 - this John 1:49 - thou John 6:69 - we believe John 9:38 - Lord John 10:36 - I am John 11:27 - Yea John 21:2 - Thomas John 21:7 - It is Acts 9:20 - that Romans 1:3 - his Son Romans 4:19 - being 2 Corinthians 1:19 - the Son Philippians 2:6 - thought Philippians 2:11 - is Lord Philippians 3:8 - my Hebrews 1:8 - O God Hebrews 7:14 - Our Lord 1 John 5:20 - This is

Verse 29

blessed: John 20:8, John 4:48, Luke 1:45, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Hebrews 11:1, Hebrews 11:27, Hebrews 11:39, 1 Peter 1:8

Reciprocal: Psalms 1:1 - Blessed Matthew 5:3 - Blessed Matthew 13:16 - General John 1:49 - thou John 1:50 - Because

Verse 30

John 21:25, Luke 1:3, Luke 1:4, Romans 15:4, 1 Corinthians 10:11, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, 2 Peter 3:1, 2 Peter 3:2, 1 John 1:3, 1 John 1:4, 1 John 5:13

Reciprocal: John 2:11 - and his John 10:25 - the works

Verse 31

these: John 20:28, John 1:49, John 6:69, John 6:70, John 9:35-38, Psalms 2:7, Psalms 2:12, Matthew 16:16, Matthew 27:54, Luke 1:4, Acts 8:37, Acts 9:20, Romans 1:3, Romans 1:4, 1 John 4:15, 1 John 5:1, 1 John 5:10, 1 John 5:20, 2 John 1:9, Revelation 2:18

believing: John 3:15, John 3:16, John 3:18, John 3:36, John 5:24, John 5:39, John 5:40, John 6:40, John 10:10, Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 1:9, 1 John 2:23-25, 1 John 5:10-13

through: Luke 24:47, Acts 3:16, Acts 10:43, Acts 13:38, Acts 13:39

Reciprocal: Exodus 4:5 - That they Deuteronomy 29:29 - revealed Psalms 102:18 - This Proverbs 22:21 - I Ecclesiastes 12:12 - by these Isaiah 43:10 - that ye Matthew 16:20 - Jesus Matthew 26:63 - the Christ Mark 1:1 - Christ Mark 5:7 - Son Mark 9:7 - This Luke 1:1 - those Luke 1:35 - the Son of God Luke 2:11 - which Luke 2:26 - the Lord's Luke 4:41 - Thou Luke 9:20 - The John 1:12 - even John 1:34 - this John 2:11 - and his John 5:34 - that John 10:36 - I am John 11:42 - that they John 12:50 - his John 19:35 - that ye John 21:25 - there Acts 11:14 - words Acts 16:31 - Believe Acts 20:21 - faith Romans 5:1 - through Romans 6:11 - through Romans 10:14 - and how shall 2 Corinthians 1:19 - the Son Galatians 2:16 - we have Galatians 3:22 - to Colossians 3:4 - our 1 Timothy 1:16 - believe 2 Timothy 1:10 - and hath Hebrews 10:39 - but 1 John 5:13 - have I