The American Wisdom Series 
 http://www.americanwisdomseries.com

Presents 

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO
John
Chapter 20

Caution to students of God's Word - Please remember two things when using our studies: #1. Our commentary is not God's Word. It is only our interpretation or understanding of "His Word" and even though we try our best to be accurate we may or may not be correct. #2. The King James translation, or any other translation, of the original Hebrew text has some words which were given different translations at different places probably because of the interpreters preconceived ideas of what they think God meant to say. For example: According to the notes in the "Dake's Annotated Reference Bible" the Hebrew word hayah in the KJV is Trans. (became) 67 times, (becamest or came to pass) 505 times, (become) 66 times, and (come to pass) 131 times, but for some reason in Genesis 1:2 it is translated (was)! That sure changes the way a person perceives the original creation of the earth, doesn't it?  Gen. 1:2 And the earth was (became) without form, ... Having said that, let us continue with our "Key Knowledge" lessons. These are pamphlets containing knowledge, we believe, you must have to fully and accurately unlock and understand the Word of God.

John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:13-14
[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. [14] He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

This Bible Study was originally written by Roger Christopherson,
 
published at http://www.theseason.org/

You can view it at the season`s web site (address above) as originally published
or here, as now edited by people at
 
The American Wisdom Series  

Without the leading by the Holy Spirit, there is no understanding of the truths, for all the truth of the Scriptures are revealed to us by God's Spirit.

 Now here is our revised study of:

JOHN

Chapter 20

"The Resurrection, Morning Events."

Before we start this chapter, lets first understand the times and hours that are given here as they apply to the Hebrew calendar and time. This measures a day from sunset to the sunset on the following day. Many people confuse this time that Jesus Christ was in the grave from sundown on Friday, to the morning on Sunday, however this tradition is in error, and we will analyze this time factor in this chapter. The traditional belief is in error and not the way that it took place.

The day that Jesus was crucified, when the soldier placed the spear in His side, was in the afternoon on a Wednesday. That Wednesday was the day before the start of the High holy day of Passover. In this study we will relate our times and calendar to the Hebrew so there will be no misunderstanding of the events that took place, and we can see that everything that happened was truly as prophesied.

It is important that you know the span of time here and have it fixed in your mind. When Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus took Jesus from the cross and hurried Him to the tomb; this event happened just prior to sunset, by 6: P.M. as required by law. This would be the Hebrew Thursday, which by our calendar would be Wednesday at sunset. So the first day of Jesus time in the tomb was from our Wednesday sunset, to Thursday at sunset.

Then from Thursday sunset to Friday sunset was the second day, and made it two days in the grave. And from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset [6: P.M.] was the third day that Jesus' body was in the tomb. The word Saturday is not used in the Hebrew, for Saturday is named after Saturn which is called Satan's planet.

The third day ended at Saturday at sunset, and then some time in the night, of what we call Saturday, the resurrection took place. Jesus' body had spent the entire three days in the tomb. This was also a sign that Jesus gave us in Matthew 12:40; "For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."

John 20:1 "The 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."

The phrase, "The first day of the week", should read, "From the first day of the Sabbath". It is recording the first day of the Sabbath of the Passover. Jesus became the Passover Lamb. So here it is early on Sunday morning, and it is about three to four A.M. while it was still dark that Mary Magdalene approached the tomb.

This stone that was rolled away, had two Roman guards standing watch, however John does not mention them, nor does John mention the sealing of the tomb. When the Lord came from that tomb, He became the first of the first fruits of God's resurrection of the harvest, mentioned in I Corinthians 15:23; "But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's, at His coming."

Mary must have been very upset when she first saw the stone rolled away from the tomb.

John 20:2 "Then 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."

These two disciples that Mary Magdalene ran to were Peter and John, the writer of this Gospel.

John 20:3 "Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre."

John 20:4 "So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre."

John, the one that loved Jesus so much, outran Peter to the grave site.

John 20:5 "And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in."

When John saw the burial clothes setting there, he did not go into the tomb.

John 20:6 "Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie."

The big fisherman that Peter was, didn't bother to stop but in his excitement went right into the tomb.

John 20:7 "And the napkin, that was about His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but wrapped together in a place by itself."

Let's try to understand this "wrapped together in a place by itself", from the Greek text. It was still wrapped as they had woven the linen napkin around Jesus body at burial. It was interwoven as it was when they put the linen on Christ following His death.

There is a great difference between Jesus' resurrection, and that of Lazarus. When Lazarus was brought to life by Jesus, Jesus stated, "Lazarus come forth" [John 11:43] and at that time Lazarus did not come forth without the burial clothing, but he came forth in the flesh, still wrapped in his graveclothes.

John 11:44 "And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, "Loose him, and let him go."

When Lazarus came forth we saw two miracles, Lazarus floating out of the grave still rapped in His grave clothes, and the coming to life of his rotting flesh body. His friends and family had to unbind him to let him go, and he was still in his flesh body.

In Jesus resurrection, He was not in the flesh body, but in His resurrected body, and the body came out of the graveclothes, just as we will see later when He entered the room without opening the door. Jesus was in His Spiritual body as we shall all have throughout the eternity.

There is a traditional belief that there was a shroud that was placed over Christ, and His transfigured body left His markings on it. However this is like all other traditions, it is based on hearsay. The year that they were suppose to have carbon dated the shroud, was prior to the time that the process that is stated, had been in used. We should look at the cloth, or shroud as any other tradition, for there are people that will believe any tradition just because they are taught from childhood to do so.

What was involved here when Jesus Christ came out of that tomb alive, and in body form, was the transfiguration of Christ to His new body. Jesus gave Peter, James and John a glimpse of this taking place, when He brought them with Him up on a high mountain. This is recorded in Matthew 17:2-9.

Matthew 17:2 "And was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light."

Matthew 17:3 "And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with Him."

There was a definite brightness that shown when Jesus was transfigured, and when He came out of that tomb He also had that transfigured body, and not of the flesh as happened to Lazarus in his resurrection. This was the purpose of the transfiguration, to show that there was no flesh body left to be moved, to be stolen, or to have anything done with it. The transfigured Body is not the decayed flesh body come to life, it is just that, a transfigured body, of a different substance of a different dimension which we will discuss later in this chapter.

There are many similarities between the risen fleshly body of Lazarus, and the transfigured body of Christ. Both of these bodies did eat, and consume food. When Jesus ate with the disciples and departed in the transfigured body, the food left with Him, right through the unopened door.

Learn to study for yourself, and use the proper tools of study, so when someone makes a statement that just isn't true, you won't be taken in and shaken by some fairy-tales. There are all sorts of new so-called finds, such as the "dead sea scrolls" that we must be on guard against, for they are incomplete, and well tampered with to the point of being no more reliable then the book of "The three bears", or any other fairy-tale.

John 20:8 "Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed."

When John came into the tomb after Peter had entered into the tomb, he saw the clothes, and believed immediately that Jesus was resurrected. It is important that you believe that Jesus rose from the dead, for that is the very foundation of our Christian faith. This is also why it is important that we understand the phrase "wrapped together", for the clothes were still in the same order as it was when the body was wrapped in them. It shows that Christ's body was the eternal transfigured body when He came out of those grave clothes, and not the flesh body, such as Lazarus' body.

Peter and John were at the mount of transfiguration, and Jesus taught them, and told them that they would understand after He had risen.

Matthew 17:8 "And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only."

Matthew 17:9 "And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, "Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead."

John 20:9 "For as yet they knew not the scripture, that He must rise again from the dead."

The scripture that is prophesying "that He must rise again from the dead" is found in Psalm16:10, 11.

Psalm 16:10 "For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; Neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption."

Psalm 16:11 "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In Thy presence is fullness of joy; At Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."

"Hell" spoken of here is the grave ["Sheol" in the Hebrew tongue]. "Corruption" is the decay of the flesh body. The Father will not allow the body of Jesus Christ the "Holy One" to stay in the ground, and decay like all the other flesh bodies. After Jesus came from the grave, He ascended to Heaven to be at the right hand of the Father. When you place your hope and faith in Jesus Christ, you will see those pleasures that our Father has for you, and they are never ending.

Paul spoke of this also in Acts 2:30; "Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, He would raise up Christ to sit on His throne."

Acts 2:31 "He seeing this before, spake of the resurrection of Christ that His soul was not left in hell, neither His flesh did see corruption."

This is the Apostle Paul quoting from David in Psalm 16:10, 11.

Acts 2:32; "This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses."

Paul and all the rest of those that were there when the Holy Ghost entered those that were gathered on that day of Pentecost, were all witness to the fact that Jesus arose from the dead, and fulfilled all parts of this prophecy of David.

Our very faith hinges on the fact that this prophecy is true, for if Jesus had not risen as stated, then Christianity would be little more that a myth.

John 20:10 "Then the disciples went away again unto their own home."

There was no need to stick around, for Jesus was gone.

John 20:11 "But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,"

This is the same Mary that Jesus healed from the seven demons. Luke 8:2; "And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils," She is standing before the tomb and weeping as she stooped and looked into the tomb.

John 20:12 "And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain."

The word "angel" means messenger, there were two messengers here, and because of the supreme importance of our Lord's resurrection in the divine counsels, it would demand the presence of the highest angels. This is why I believe they were probably Michael and Gabriel. Notice that the appearance of these angels were exactly as flesh men would appear, for men and angels alike are created in the image of God.

John 20:13 "And 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."

Mary was not knowledgeable of the prophecies dealing with the resurrection, nor had she any knowledge of what happened on the mount of transfiguration. To Mary someone had taken Jesus body, and this upset her deeply. We see here Mary's deep love for Jesus.

John 20:14 "And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus."

She turned around after talking to these two angels, and walked back to the mouth of the tomb, and there Jesus was standing. Her eyes still filled with tears, as she didn't recognize that it was Jesus.

John 20:15 "Jesus 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."

What great love Mary had for Jesus.

John 20:16 "Jesus saith unto her, "Mary." She turned herself, and saith unto Him, "Rabboni;" which is to say, "Master"."

When Jesus said Mary's name, she knew Him instantly.

John 20:17 "Jesus 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'."

Can you see the kinship that we now have with the Father, once Jesus came out of that grave. It is too bad that we cannot see the urgency in Christ our Lord's voice here, "rush and tell My brethren."

Jesus didn't forbid Mary to touch Him, but in the Greek text He said "Touch Me not", should read, "Don't hold Me up". Jesus had to go to the Father then, and we will see later that He allowed everyone to touch Him, and even the women were allowed to hold His feet. Matthew 28:9; "And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "All hail." And they came and held Him by the feet, and worshipped Him."

We know what Jesus did while in the tomb those three days from I Peter 3:18, 19; "For Christ also hath one suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:" [18] "By which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison," [19] Jesus preached to all those souls of mankind, all the way back to Adam, and freed the souls that would believe on Him.

Jesus now wanted Mary to rush and give the good news of His resurrection to His disciples and followers. While she would do that, He is going to the Father, only to see them later.

John 20:18 "Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things unto her."

Mary Magdalene came to the disciples and gave them the good news. She told them what Jesus had told her to say, and what she had seen with her own eyes. From this moment on, Christianity was no longer a religion, but a reality. We do not serve a dead Jesus, but a risen Jesus Christ, the Sacrificial Lamb that paid the full price to ransom our souls from the sentence of death that was placed upon mankind. Jesus God and Father is now our God and Father, and the Power of God, His Spirit is now our Spirit of Comfort.

When Mary told His disciples what she had seen and heard, much of what Jesus had said to them before His crucifixion came back to them as living Words. However there was still some doubts in a few of them until they could witness Christ for themselves. They had already witnessed Jesus bringing Lazarus being brought to life, and this showed them that He could defeat death.

It is also important that we remember that Jesus body was transfigured, and that the body of Jesus was not left in the tomb. Jesus body did not see corruption and decay, for then you would have to worry about all those stories and lies told about Him. About somebody steeling His body, or drugging Him on the cross, as well as all the other imaginations that the Kenite religious leaders could think up to defend their false traditions. There was no flesh body left behind to allow Satan's children to attack the followers of Christ with.

Every time now that every flesh body dies, the soul within that body goes back to the Father that gave it; and the flesh body returns to the earth and decays into the elements that it is composed of. Ecclesiastes 12:7; "Then shall the dust [put for the body which is made from the dust] return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God Who gave it."

John 20:19 "Then 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."

This is the first meeting of Christians with the Lord present, and at this time it was not safe assembling in the name of the Lord. The Kenite religious leaders had just completed their murderous act of killing Jesus as well as Judas, and they were still hunting down those followers of Jesus to destroy them also. The disciples feared the Jews, and met behind closed doors in secrecy. We know this, because this was the Apostle Paul's first duties before He was converted to Christianity.

Notice how Jesus addresses His disciples, "Peace be unto you." This is the only real peace that you can have in the flesh body.

John 20:20 "And when He had so said, He shewed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord."

When the disciples could see Jesus, and see those nail pierced hands and feet, and see where the spear went into His side, they knew for a fact that it was truly Christ. You can just see the joy that came over them as they rejoiced with Jesus in their presence.

John 20:21 "Then said Jesus to them again, "Peace be unto you: as My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you."

The word "apostle" means "a sent one". At this point in time Jesus is elevating this group of men from His "disciples", or ones being disciplined, to His "Apostles", or ones that He is sending out to give the "good news", the "gospel". As a disciple they were being taught all the things that they were to know, while as an Apostle they were to tell others what they had learned, and practice the discipline that had been drilled into them.

This documents that Jesus was the Son of God, sent by the Father, and with the same authority that the Father gave to Jesus, He in turn gives to those that believe on His name. This is your authority for calling on the power of the Holy Spirit, and taking authority over Satan, and all his demonic realm.

John 20:22 "And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, "Receive ye the Holy Spirit:"

"Holy Ghost" in the Greek Test is "Pneuma Hagion", it is the "Holy Spirit". This is the same word used when God breathed in Adam, and He became a living soul. The Holy Spirit is what gives us power from on high. It became possible to receive that eternal life because the price had been paid, and it was acceptable and approved by the Father.

It is only by the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, that you can see the love that God has for you, and call upon Him. You come to Him because He draws you to Him through His Spirit. The Spirit that is in you is your power and authority direct from God, and that power and authority is over all forces. When you pray in doubt of that Spirit, you lose the power that He gives, and you have unbelief.

When that Holy Spirit is within you, and your spirit is in peace and communion with God's Spirit, you know it for a fact, and that is reality. When the Spirit of God touches your life, you become a new living soul. You are transformed from the soul that was in a state of dying, into a new living vessel with eternal life. When this new life comes into you, then you are able to become the disciples and apostles for Christ.

John 20:23 "Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained."

This is misunderstood by many people. No man can forgive another man's sins, for only God can forgive sin, and then only in Jesus name.

Go back to the prior verse. The Holy Spirit was in them, and it was the Holy Spirit from within that would give the conviction to the other person's spirit. The Spirit of God would move on the other man's spirit, not from the spirit of those Apostles.

This is also applied to those that would offend one of God's elect, and anointed. When one person would offend one of God's Elect with the Spirit of God in them, then he has offended the very Spirit of God also, and as such those actions or words will be held against the offender. Of course upon repentance by that offender "in Jesus' name", it is forgiven him by the Father, and blotted out from the eternal record.

God is very jealous of His sent ones [both His Elect and those of the free will], for they are sent forth to plant the seeds of truth that will convict men of their sins, and turn them to the Living God.

John 20:24 "But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came."

John 20:25 "The 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 print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe."

Remember that Thomas knew that Jesus died on the cross, was crucified and placed in the tomb because he witnessed it. He was the only one that wasn't present when Jesus showed Himself to the others disciples. Even the other disciples had some doubts when Jesus first came in (verse 19), and wanted to see the nail prints in his hands and spear print in His side. They didn't fully believe Mary's report, and now that all the disciples have seen except Thomas; you can see how the doubt would also enter into Thomas.

Thomas walked with Jesus Christ for the past three years, and daily heard Him teach. Thomas had seen the miracles that Jesus had done. He sat there on the mount and heard Jesus tell them that in three days He would come alive, just as Jonah did in the whales belly, but Thomas still wanted the proof.

Thomas brings the requirement for belief to one point greater then the others. Mary heard the voice of Jesus say her name, and she believed. To the disciples in the closed room, they wanted to hear and see the nail prints. Now to Thomas, he required not only to see and hear, but also to touch the nail prints, and the scars in the side of Jesus before He would believe. Friend this is a good point to bring out, because it gives greater documentation that this Jesus was truly the risen Savior.

John 20:26 "And 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."

"Eight" in biblical numerics means "new beginnings". This meeting is eight days after Thomas made his doubting statement, and Thomas is here with the other disciples. Jesus came into the room without coming through the open door, and appeared to them.

John 20:27 "Then 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."

This is being changed from night to day; being faithless and unbelieving, then to believing.

John 20:28 "And Thomas answered and said unto Him, "My Lord and my God."

When Thomas reached forth and touched those nail prints, he believed. He saw the nail prints and the crucified body, because he had witnessed the crucifixion, and saw that that crucified body of Christ had come alive. He now knew for a fact that Jesus had resurrected, and He knew that Jesus was Messiah. You can just see the look of excitement on his face as he stated, "My Lord and My God."

Though Thomas was a doubter, the belief was all the stronger when He touched those nail prints of His hands.

John 20:29 "Jesus saith unto him, "Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed:blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."

This word "seeing" applied to all three of the senses, and it took all of them to cause Thomas to believe. Jesus looked at Thomas and said to him, you believed in Me because you have seen Me, heard me, and now you have touched Me. Blessed are thy that believe in Me without the advantage that you have had. Today that is the way that we must receive Christ to have Salvation. We take Christ sight unseen, by faith we stake our lives on the documentation of proof from the Word of God.

Those that lived in Jesus day could believe because Jesus was there with them. They had the reality of life before them, and witnessed the resurrected and transfigured body of Christ. Today we have the Word of God, which is the record of the plan of God, and we either hear and believe what is written in the Bible, or we are faithless. There is no middle ground, you believe or you do not believe. Jesus holds all those that can believe in His crucifixion and resurrection by hearing alone in a very special position. You become blessed to Him because by hearing alone you have given your life over to Him, and allowed the Spirit of God to lead in your life.

John 20:30 "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book:"

John is telling us all the signs and miracles that Jesus preformed for His disciples on that day. They simply are not written in this book of John. Some though are recorded in the other gospels.

John 20:31 "But 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."

John is telling us that the miracles and signs that were written in the Bible were given to show that Jesus is truly the promised Messiah. Jesus is the only Begotten Son of God the Father, and that by believing on Jesus name we do have eternal life. By believing on Jesus name, our own faith causes us to live our life and actions we do to please Him. All those things that Jesus promised to His own becomes a reality to each of us.

"Faith" is placing all your actions focused on the belief that every word and promise stated in His Word is truth, and can be relied on wholly. Then with God's Word placed in our minds and hearts, we have the confidence in the Lord that He will do all that He promised that He would do. Faith requires a focus, and our focus is on whatever you are doing. When that action is within the will of God, and we ask for God's help, in Jesus name, "God's will" will be done.

When God reveals Himself to you, and draws you to Himself through the Spirit, you become aware of your sin. Sin is what separates you from God, and through repentance in Jesus name, we are forgiven from that sin and given eternal life. Our very soul is changed from one of death, to a soul of eternal life. When death of the body happens, the soul and spirit [the intellect of the soul] departs from the body, and returns to the Father that created it, and it continues in life, even following the great white throne judgment, and the perishing of the lost souls.

Paul talks about this in I Corinthians 15:54-58; "So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory."

The corruptible is the flesh body that decays and grows old, while the incorruption is our spiritual body, which is our soul and spirit. The "mortal" is the sting of death that the soul has placed upon it, while those that have immortality have repented in Jesus name, and believe on His name. The immortality is not of the flesh but of the soul, it is the taking away of the sentence of death that was placed upon it, called the second death.

When we accept Christ, the death of our soul is swallowed up in victory.

I Corinthians 15:55; "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"

I Corinthians 15:56 "The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law."

The "sting of death" is the sin that was placed upon our soul, and the power of the sin has come through the law. The law is not bad, but it is the yard stick that shows each of us that we fall short of God's perfection that He requires of us.

I Corinthians 15:57 "But thanks be to God, Which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

When Jesus Christ arose from that tomb, He paid the full price for all of the sins of those that will repent those sins to Him. In Christ there is perfection and the perfect sacrifice, and all of our sins are laid upon Him. Christ is our victory, for it is through Him that we can have eternal life.

I Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that you labour is not in vain in the Lord."

This is the very commission that Jesus gave to His followers in John 20:21; "Then said Jesus to them again, "Peace be unto you, as My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you."

American Wisdom Series Editor's Note: Now that we've completed this 2015 study of the  "BOOK OF JOHN chapter 20" we have placed a earlier 2002 John chapter 20 study to follow for your comparison. I don't believe you will find much difference in the general opinion of these 2 authors, but to read another person's perspective of events that took place may prove helpful in your understanding of the gospel of John

Pamphlet 1520

John chapter 20

It is commonly taught that Jesus rose at "sunrise" on Easter Sunday morning, but then what else is new? It is also commonly taught that He was crucified on what the churches call "Good Friday". Both traditional teachings are Biblically incorrect, but then again, what else is new?

The crucifixion has taken place, the price has been paid, and Death, i.e. Satan, has been defeated.

Hebrews 2:14
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
We pick up the action three days later...
John 20:1
The 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.
It is commonly taught that Jesus rose at "sunrise" on Easter Sunday morning, but then what else is new? It is also commonly taught that He was crucified on what the churches call "Good Friday".  Both traditional teachings are Biblically incorrect, but then again, what else is new?

Jesus was crucified and became the Passover Lamb on a Wednesday and was placed in the tomb just before sunset, which would have begun the new day, Thursday, which was a High Sabbath, the First Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the 15th of Nisan. He [His body] was in the grave three days and three nights as it is written.

1st Day & Night = Wednesday sunset to Thursday sunset.
2nd Day & Night = Thursday sunset to Friday sunset.
3rd Day & Night = Friday sunset to Saturday sunset.
Notice in verse one that when Mary arrived at the sepulcher that it was STILL DARK and the stone was already rolled away and He was gone! Of course we know that only His flesh died, not He Himself, for He was life. So where do you suppose He had been? The answer is given to us in 1 Pet. 3:18-20.
1 Peter 3:18
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
Only the flesh was put to death.
[19] By which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
Remember that Jesus had to pay the price in order for sins to be forgiven, making redemption and salvation possible. All those who had passed through this flesh age and died, the whole way back to Noah's time, were only now able to "wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb".
[20] Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
Let's return to John 20:1 and read it again.
John 20:1
The 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.
Just as it was not necessary for the linen to be removed in order for Christ to walk out of the tomb, it was also not necessary for the "stone" to be removed. It was the kenites of the chief priests and Pharisees that had the "stone" placed there. This stone is symbolic of their "rock", the king of Tyrus of Ezek. 28 (Tyrus means rock), i.e. Satan, and the Song of Moses in Deut. 32, which the overcomers in Rev. 15 will be singing, declares that their rock is not our Rock. Deut. 32:31 "For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges." Here's Matthew's account of who had the stone placed at the tomb:
Matthew 27:62
Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,
[63] Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
[64] Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
This ultimately worked against them.
[65] Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.

[66] So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

They could not contain Him with their puny "rock".

So Mary came to the tomb while it was still dark and when she saw that the stone was rolled away, she ran to Peter and John and told them that Jesus is gone. The care and reverence of her remarks suggests she thought Joseph and Nicodemus had moved His body to another location.

John 20:2
Then 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.

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

"Hurry up, John, let's go see!", said Peter as he took off running toward the sepulchre. (I only speculate here.)

However, the reason one might attribute motive for the next verse is that Peter, Mr. Impulsive, having taken an unfair head start might have also said to John something like, "Last one there is a rotten egg"! And so John recorded (and the Father has permitted) for all eternity that he flew by the big old fisherman and beat him handily to the sepulchre. (Hey, it's only speculation. Lighten up! The crucifixion is over with and the price has been paid. We have the victory!)

[4] So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
But even though the hare beat the tortoise to the tomb, he was not the first to cross the line.
[5] And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
Finally Peter showed up, huffing and puffing, and went right into the sepulchre without hestitation. (Just don't let anyone tell you that fishing keeps you in shape!)
John 20:6
Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
[7] And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
This verse is somewhat misleading in the English. What is being described here is that the cloth that had been folded and wrapped around His head was in EXACTLY that same position, only Jesus was not in it! "The Lord had passed out of them, not needing, as Lazarus (11:44), to be loosed. It was this sight that convinced John (vs. 8)." E.W. Bullinger
[8]Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
John just can't let this "which came first to the sepulchre" thing go, can he? Nevertheless, it must have been quite a sight to see the empty burial wrappings still in tact, still in the shape of the body that was once inside them. It made a believer out of John!

Note: Speaking of speculation, the Shroud of Turin is said to be this "napkin" that was about His face and head. Others say that it was a medieval hoax, but then the technology for color image processing was not available in those days.

John 20:9
For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
It's not that they didn't know the scriptures, for they certainly did. They just didn't know the details of how they would come to pass. We too wonder how future prophecies will manifest themselves.
[10] Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
Typical men. "Well, there's nothing more we can do here! Let's go."

But not faithful Mary. She stayed at the sepulchre. Of course she kept crying. Typical w.... no, I better not!

[11] But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
And what a surprise she saw when she looked in!
[12] And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
This reminds us of the two angels who sit on both ends of the mercy seat, doesn't it? Exodus 25:19 "And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof." Though it is not recorded who these angels were, some believe them to be Michael and Gabriel, for these two archangels, meaning chief or high ranking angels, were present at His conception (Gabriel) and birth (Michael), and both stand in the presence of God.
John 20:13
And 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.
Jesus will ask Mary the very same question, "Woman, why weepest thou?" She told Peter and John she didn't know where the Lord was, and now she tells the two angels she doesn't know where Jesus is! She's definitely looking for a dead person, isn't she?
[14] And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
We don't know how much time has elapsed or how much daylight there might be, if any. However, there would still be ample moonlight for the full moon was only three days ago.  Nevertheless Mary was unable to identify the person standing there in the shadow and she thinks he's the gardener.
John 20:15
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?
The question is "Whom are you seeking?", a dead Christ or a risen Christ?
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.
Her answer having been given, Jesus now reveals Himself to her.
[16] Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
What an honor for Mary to be the very first person to see the risen Redeemer. And so it is that following His resurrection Jesus first revealed Himself to a woman, and take notice that it was not His Mother!
[17] Jesus 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.
This verse has caused much wonderment as to why Jesus would say "Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father". "Touch me not" in Greek is an expression that means "Don't hold me up", i.e. "Don't detain me." Instead, Mary, "go to my brethren and tell them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God and your God." Because God is the God and Father of our Lord, He is our God and Father too.
Ephes. 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

So Jesus is about to ascend to God the Father. Why?
"On this day, the morrow after the Sabbath, the high priest would be waving the sheaf of the firstfruits before the Lord (Lev. 23:10,11); while He, the firstfruits from the dead(1 Cor. 15:23), would be fulfilling the type by presenting Himself before the Father." (Companion Bible, pg. 1571).


In verse 19 we will get a glimpse of some of the characteristics of the risen spiritual body, for Jesus will simply "appear" to His disciples in the middle of the room while the doors are shut tight.

Mary Magdalene, the first person to see the resurrected Christ, has just been instructed by Him to go and tell His brethren that He is ascending to the Father, and she does exactly as the Word of God tells her to do.  

John 20:18
Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

This should have been a wake up call to the disciples [that's easy for us to say], for back in chapter 14 He told them that He was going away, and would go unto the Father, and would come again. Jesus doesn't tell people He's going to do something and then not do it EXACTLY as He says. Here are His very words:

John 14:28 
Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. 

Well, they already know He has died, i.e. is gone away, and now Mary comes and tells them that she saw Him and He "specifically" sent her to tell them that He is ascending, i.e. going to the Father. What's left but to come again unto them, which He is about to do. So they should be rejoicing.

However, there were two other things Jesus said unto them in the prior verse, just before He gave those three prophetic statements to them. And that is that He is leaving them with PEACE, HIS PEACE, for He is the Prince of Peace, and to NOT BE AFRAID. Once again, here are His words to them: 

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Here is the reason Jesus told the disciples this ahead of time, before it happened, because WHEN it is come to pass, not IF it comes to pass, "Ye might BELIEVE!"  

John 14:29
And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. 

Now, keep in mind all the preparation and instructions Jesus has given to the disciples, because here is the scene: The 10 disciples (Thomas is not with them at this gathering, as per vs. 24.) are "hiding out" with the doors shut FOR THE FEAR of the Jews. You certainly can't have Peace of mind when you are filled with fear, can you? Again, they know Jesus has gone away and Mary has now told them He has ascended to the Father.

This next verse just has to increase your faith in the Word of God. 

John 20:19 
Then 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. 

The Word of God is so perfect. He told them before He would leave them with Peace. You see, He IS Peace and knowing and believing Him, the Prince of Peace, takes away all fear. But you must have faith and believe in Him.

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

"Glad" is an understatement and just doesn't "cut it" here. The Greek word is #5463, chairo, a primary word meaning "cheer"ful, and is often translated "Rejoice", just as it is in John 14:28 that we quoted earlier. Boy were they excited!

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

Once again Jesus says, "Peace be unto you", and then He commissions them as "Apostles".

So this is the verse where the title of these men changes from "disciples", ones who are disciplined, i.e. students, to "apostles", meaning ones "sent forth". They had been with Christ for three years and have been "trained" in the Word to go into the world and carry forth the Good News. He doesn't send the untrained.

John 20:22 
And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 

The Holy Spirit was right there, present with them. And just as He breathed into Adam's nostrils and Adam became a living soul, He now breaths on the newly appointed apostles and gives them Divine authority to ensure their "Peace" and carry forth His Truth with POWER from on High!

And God help those who come against His apostles who are filled with the Holy Spirit, for the Father, their "Avenger", will let their consequences be up to each apostle. 

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

"Remit" means to forgive. 

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

Thomas the Twin (Didymus means twin) must have had a prior commitment or something else to do, so it seems!

John 20:25 
The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord.

OK, the question is, "How many disciples have to tell you they have seen the Lord before you'll believe it?" 2, 5, 7 or more than 9? 

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.

And so he has worn the title of "Doubting Thomas" for almost two millennia. It is obvious though that Thomas somehow knew about the piercing of both Jesus' side and His hands. Anyway, he knew the disciples were not a bunch of liars and I'm sure for the next eight days as they discussed this, that he thought about it a great deal, for when they came together again he was found among them.

[26] And 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. 

Eight in Biblical numerics means "resurrection" or "new beginning" (See appendix 10 in the Companion Bible). Notice this time the doors are again shut, but fear is not mentioned. Then out of nowhere... no.... out of the spiritual "dimension", Jesus appeared and stood in the midst of them. Pretty cool, huh? (It reminds me of the transporter on Star Trek.)

Note: Did you know that if the nucleus of an atom were the size of a dime that the closest electron would be 10 miles away? If you took all of the "space" out of all the atoms the earth would be about the size of a basketball. 

Of course Jesus knew all about Thomas' doubts, and when He appeared He told him to go ahead and do what he said it would take for him to believe and not be faithless. 

John 20:27 
Then 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. 

[28] And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my God.

Thomas must have been overpowered and aghast at his own disbelief, not just by the "seeing" of Christ's appearance, but also by "hearing" Jesus quote the very words he uttered 8 days ago to the other disciples about thrusting his hand into His side! Jesus knew his mind!

This is also the first record of the risen Christ being called God, which has been the theme of John's Gospel throughout, i.e. to show that Jesus Christ was and is indeed God.

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

In this final generation there will be miracles and wonders performed in the sight of men by one who only claims to be Jesus. He will be the "instead-of-Jesus", the Antichrist, Satan himself posing as the Messiah, sitting in the temple and showing himself to be God.

2 Thes. 2:4
Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 
  

"Those who crave for miracles and signs today will have them, but they will be Satan's miracles." (Companion Bible, pg. 1572) 

John 20:30 
And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

They are written in the other three Gospels. 

[31] But 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.  

Do you remember we discussed this reason why John wrote his gospel in our very first study when we quoted this 31st verse?

"Knowing then that the presentation of "Jesus as God" and "Behold your God" is the overall theme of his Gospel, John himself gives us the reason why the events contained in this incredible Gospel were written."

"So John writes to give us documentation that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Divine God. And he tells us again in the third chapter that if you believe in Him, then you shall have eternal life.

There is ONLY one way a person can inherit eternal life, and that is through Jesus Christ. There is NO other name, whereby we can be saved.

Acts 4:12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

In our next study Jesus will reveal Himself to the disciples for the third time. Will they be fulfilling the commission Jesus just gave them, i.e. their apostleship, and be out fishing for the souls of men? We'll find out.

                               

To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.  We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.


The American Wisdom Series

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Published by:

Rhine Publishing Co.
E-mail address - americanwisdomseries@verizon.net

Here at the American Wisdom Series our goal is to make you think about and question the wisdom of the current:
doctrine of many of our Christian churches, (The Man on a White Horse)
political direction of our country, (The Man on a Red Horse)
economic direction our country has taken, (The Man on a Black Horse)
 and teaching of our schools and media, (The Man on a Pale Horse)

The Four Hidden Dynasties of the New World Order Revelation 6:1-8
"The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse"
Did you know all four are being ridden by Satan?