Introductory Remarks:
Jesus was buried shortly before sunset on Friday, and He arose shortly before sunrise on Sunday, and according to the Jewish way of counting each part of a day counts as a day, so on the third day Jesus rose again as He predicted. John could have ended his Gospel when Jesus said It is finished but he didn't because he knew that it was essential to our Salvation that Christ must rise again. The importance of the resurrection cannot be over estimated.
The Resurrection of Jesus
(Matt. 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12)
Verse 1, "The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulcher, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulcher."
LGT "And on the first [day] of the week Mary Magdalene comes early, it still being dark, unto the tomb and sees the stone lifted out from the tomb."
"The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulcher,"
Mary left her house early while it was still dark, and she arrived at the tomb just as the sun was rising. It was Sunday morning, the first day of the week.
"The first day of the week, that is, Sunday, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb. When was the Sabbath day changed? This question is often asked by folk who believe we should be observing Saturday as the day of rest and worship. It was changed when Jesus Christ arose from the dead. He was dead during the Sabbath day; He became alive on Sunday. From that time on, believers have been gathering together on the first day of the week. The Sabbath day belongs to the old creation. After God had created everything, He rested on the Sabbath day. Now we have come to the new creation in Christ Jesus. Pentecost occurred on Sunday, the first day of the week. It is interesting that John, the last of the Gospel writers, emphasizes that it was the first day of the week when Jesus rose from the dead" (T. T. B. J. Vernon McGee).
"And seeth the stone taken away from the sepulcher."
Literally, 'lifted out of', gr. ermenon ek. All the other Evangelists record, 'rolled away.'
"For He arose while both stone and seals lay over Him; but because it was necessary that others should be fully satisfied, the tomb was opened after the Resurrection, and thus what had come to pass was confirmed. This then was what moved Mary. For being entirely full of loving affection towards her Master, when the Sabbath was past, she could not bear to rest, but came early in the morning, desiring to find some consolation from the place. But when she saw the place, and the stone taken away, she neither entered in nor stooped down, but ran to the disciples, in the greatness of her longing; for this is what she earnestly desired, she wished very speedily to learn what had become of the body. This was the meaning of her running, and her words declare it" (Chrysostom).
Verse 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 sepulcher, and we know not whence they have laid Him."
LGT "She runs therefore and coming to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved and saying to them, They took away the Lord out of the tomb and we know not where they have taken Him."
"Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter,"
John deals with Mary Magdalene only, while the other Synoptists mention the other women. Mary leaves without seeing the angel of the Lord. Mary reports to those whom she feels will be mostly concerned.
"And to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved,"
John uses this terminology whom Jesus loved as referring to himself, because Jesus first used it when He spoke of the Apostle John. John was the one who leaned on Jesus' breast at the last supper.
"And saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulcher, and we know not whence they have laid Him."
"Mary Magdalene was not expecting the Resurrection. Mary feared a grave robbery.
"Mary Magdalene was not expecting the Resurrection. Her thought was that someone had stolen away the Lord's Body. Isn't it interesting that the religious rulers would later accuse the disciples of stealing the Lord's body, and that Mary's first thought was that the religious rulers had stolen the Lord's body? (The religious rulers would have given everything in the world if they could have produced the body on that first Sunday!)" (T. T. B. J. Vernon McGee).
Verse 3, "Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulcher."
LGT "Therefore Peter went out and the other disciple and they were going unto the tomb."
Peter and John run to the tomb, but they too, weren't expecting the resurrection.
Verse 4, "So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulcher."
LGT "And they were running the two together: and the other disciple ran on in front more quickly than Peter and came first unto the tomb."
"So they ran both together:"
Literally, the disciples were running the two together:
"And the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulcher."
This is the common expression John uses when he is referring to himself; literally, and the other disciple [whom Jesus loved] ran on in front more quickly than Peter and came first to the tomb." McGee notes: "This other 'disciple' was John. He was a younger man and could outrun Peter. This confirms tradition that John was probably the youngest of the disciples. I am of the opinion that these men represented quite an age span. John may have been in his late teens."
Verse 5, "And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in."
LGT "And stooping down he sees the linen cloths lying, however, he went not in."
John looked in and saw the grave clothes lying unoccupied, but he would not enter. I am sure that John was thinking that Jesus must have resurrected, for if someone had stolen the body, they would not have left the grave clothes.
Verse 6, "Then cometh Peter following him, and went into the sepulcher, and seeth the linen clothes lie."
LGT "Then comes Simon Peter following him and entered into the tomb, and beholds the linen clothes lying,"
Peter doesn't hesitate; he barges right in and sees the linen strips lying in a stack. McGee notes: "remember that Joseph and Nicodemus had wrapped our Lord's body in the linen and had sealed it with the myrrh and aloes, which made sort of glue to seal the body. How could the body get out of such an encasement without unwinding all that linen?" This is sure proof of the resurrection of our Lord. If the body had just been removed, they would not have unwound it before they stole it.
Verse 7, "And the napkin, that was about His head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself."
LGT "And the handkerchief, which was upon His head, not with the linen clothes but by itself rolled up into one place."
There was no haste; everything was placed in an orderly fashion.
"What he saw was significant; the linen wrappings lying, and the napkin which had been on His head not lying with the clothes, but separately folded up in a place by itself. The first circumstance was evidence that the body had been hastily snatched away for burial elsewhere. Had the authorities or any one else taken the body, they would have taken it as it was. The second circumstance gave them even stronger proof that there had been no hurry. The napkin was neatly folded and laid 'into one place,' the linens being in another. They felt in the tomb as if they were in a chamber where one had divested himself of one set of garments to assume another" [The Expositor's Greek Testament].
"Then Peter arrived and immediately went into the tomb. Peter 'saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen.' The fact that the strips of linen cloth were undisturbed and that the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head was neatly folded up by itself was evidence that the body had not been stolen. Thieves either would have left the burial cloths in disarray in the tomb, or, more likely, have carried off the body wrapped, leaving no cloths behind. The condition of the cloths further indicates that there was no undue haste associated with the resurrection. Had there been, the cloths would not have been laid aside so neatly" (J. Dwight Pentecost)
Verse 8, "Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulcher, and saw, and believed."
LGT "Then therefore came also the other disciple, who came first to the tomb and saw and believed;"
John refers to himself as 'that other disciple.'
"And saw, and believed."
John knew Christ had risen and the folded napkin gave him a little more confirmation that He had risen.
Peter saw more after he entered than John did in his first glance, but John saw into the meaning of it all better than Peter. Peter had more sight, John more insight. John was first to believe that Jesus was risen from the tomb even before he saw him. According to Luke 24:12 Peter went away 'wondering' still. John was evidently proud to be able to record this great moment when he believed without seeing in contrast to Thomas (20:29). Peter and John did not see the angels" (WPNT Robertson).
Verse 9, "For as yet they knew not the scripture, that He must rise again from the dead."
LGT "For they did not yet know the scripture that it was necessary from the dead for Him to rise."
"For as yet they knew not the scripture,"
It is uncertain whether John had one particular scripture in mind, or whether he was referring to all of the Old Testament. "It was not an expectation founded on Scripture which prompted belief in the resurrection; but only those matters of-fact observations, the empty grave and the folded napkin" [The Expositor's Greek NT].
"That He must rise again from the dead."
"He must rise again" is dei meaning "It is necessary by divine decree." "Jesus had put emphasis on both the fact and the necessity of His resurrection which the disciples slowly perceived" [Robertson].
Verse 10, "Then the disciples went away again unto their own home."
LGT "Therefore the disciples went again to themselves [their own home]."
"John had taken the mother of Jesus to his home [19:27] and so he now hurried home to tell her the glorious news as he believed" [Robertson].
The Appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene
(Mark 16:9-11)
Verse 11, "But Mary stood without at the sepulcher weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulcher,"
LGT "But Mary was standing by the side of the tomb outside weeping. Therefore as she was weeping, she stooped down into the tomb,"
Mary peered into the tomb, but she did not enter. Mary was standing outside of the tomb as the disciples went away. Mary was determined to find out what had happened to the body of the Lord, hoping that someone would come by and give her some information. She is weeping because she loves Him, but also because she does not have faith that He is resurrected.
Verse 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."
LGT "And behold two angels in white sitting, one towards the head and one towards the feet, where had been lying the body of Jesus."
"And seeth two angels in white sitting,"
Angels are represented in Scripture as dressed in white apparel. Why the men did not see the heavenly messengers is strictly guesswork, so I will not engage myself. The angels appeared in bodily form dressed in dazzling white apparel that distinguished them from other men.
"The one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain."
The angels were sitting there waiting for them to discover that Jesus had risen from the tomb.
"It is more worthy of observation, that Christ, by preparatory arrangements of this nature, made a commencement of the glory of the kingdom; for, by the honor which the angels render to the tomb, not only is the ignominy [shame] of the cross taken away, but the heavenly majesty of Christ shines" [Calvin].
Verse 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."
LGT "And they saying to her, Woman, why are you weeping? She says to them because they took away my Lord, and I do not know where they laid Him."
The angels ask Mary why she is weeping. Mary doesn't seem to be at all surprised by the appearance of these angelic messengers; she goes right on and holds a conversation with them.
"She saith unto them, because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they laid Him."
John gives a brief summary of the conversation between Mary and the angels, whereas the other evangelists give quite a lengthy conversation. John is only concerned in the proof of the resurrection. The angels give Mary a gentle rebuke, and then give her a reason to rejoice.
Verse 14, "And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus."
LGT "Having said these things she turned herself back and beheld Jesus standing and knew not that Jesus it is."
"And saw Jesus standing,"
Literally, and beheld Jesus standing. The Greek word for 'saw' is theorei to behold that is, to gaze intently upon, not just merely glancing at. This is the Greek word, which we get our word theater from. In a theater we set and watch intently at the screen for hours. So even after beholding Jesus Mary did not recognize Him.
"And knew not that it was Jesus."
"While Mary was talking with the angels, she instinctively felt someone behind her" [Robertson]. It could also be that the angels seeing the Lord approach, lifted their eyes toward Him, and this gave Mary a signal that someone was approaching.
There are many versions by commentators that Mary made the mistake of not recognizing the Lord, from Jesus taking many different forms, to Jesus not revealing Himself until the person shows faith. I personally believe that the reason she did not recognize the Lord was because of the terrible suffering Christ suffered on the cross, and that He was marred as no other man; I believe He was not recognizable after the three hours of dying spiritually, when He took your sins, and my sins on His own self. God imputed our sins on Christ, and Christ imputed His righteousness on everyone who believes.
"She did not know it was Jesus, not merely because her eyes were dim with tears, but because He was altered in appearance" (The Expositor's Greek Testament).
Verse 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."
LGT "Jesus saying to her, Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking? Thinking that it is was the gardener says to Him, Sir, if you did carry Him off, tell me where you laid Him, and I will take Him away."
"Woman, why weepest thou? Whom are you seeking?"
Jesus knew why Mary was weeping, and whom she was seeking, but His questioning brings out a reply from her.
"She, supposing Him to be the gardener,"
"She supposed Him to be the gardener (or garden keeper) not because He had on gardener's clothes - for probably He wore merely the short drawers in which He had been crucified - not because He held the spade as represented in some pictures, but because no one else was likely to be there at the early hour and to question her as to her reason for being there. Her answer shows that she thought it possible that it had been found inconvenient to have the body of Jesus in that tomb and that it had been removed to some other place or sepulcher. In any case she will gladly relieve them of the encumbrance" [The Expositor's Greek Testament].
"Sir, if thou have borne Him hence, tell me where thou hast laid Him, and I will take Him away."
Mary addresses the one whom she thinks is the gardener with the respectful title of 'Sir.' "Again she speaks of laying down, and taking away, and carrying, as though speaking of a corpse. But her meaning is this; If ye have borne Him hence for fear of the Jews, tell me, and I will take Him.' Great is the kindness and loving affection of the woman, but as yet there is nothing lofty [arrogant] with her. Wherefore He now setteth the matter before her, not by appearance, but by Voice" [Augustine].
Verse 16, "Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto Him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master."
LGT "Jesus saying to her, Mariam. Turning around she says to Him in Hebrew, Rabboni; [which is to say, My Teacher]."
Jesus saith unto her, Mary."
Literally, 'Mariam.' Jesus uses His familiar Aramaic term for Mary, 'Miriam.' "His uttering her name, Miriam, revealed that He was a friend who knew her; and there was also that in the tone which made her instantly turn fully around to search Him with her gaze" [TEGT]. As soon as she hears this she knows it is Jesus, and she answers in Aramaic:
"Rabboni; which is to say, Master."
Mary answers with Rabboni which is 'My Master.' Mary moves forward to embrace the Lord:
Verse 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."
LGT "Jesus says to her, do not hold on to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father: but go to My brothers [the disciples] and say to them, I ascend to My Father and your Father and My God and your God."
"Jesus saith unto her, Touch Me not;"
Literally, do not hold on to me as you once did. Jesus did not forbid Mary from touching Him as if it would disturb His being glorified; He was simply forbidding her to worship Him in that manner. "Mary thought that the old relations between her Lord and herself were to be renewed; that the old intercourse, by means of sight, sound, and touch, would go on as before. Christ says, the time for this kind of intercourse is over. Henceforth your communion with Me will be by faith through the Spirit. This communion will become possible through My ascending to the Father" [Vincent].
"For I have not yet ascended to My Father:"
Literally, I have not yet ascended to the Father, "implying that this was not His permanent return to visible fellowship with His disciples. Mary, by her eagerness to seize and hold Him, showed that she considered that the little time, of 16:16, was past, and that now He had returned to be for ever with them. Jesus checks her with the assurance that much had yet to happen before that. His disciples must at once be disabused of that misapprehension" [The Expositor's Greek Testament].
"But go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God."
I ascend is in the present tense, for the resurrection is all part of His ascension. "My Father, and your Father, and My God and your God", can only be His way of expressing the family relationship that has been made possible by His death and resurrection. Jesus says He is "My Father and God by nature, but your Father and God by grace" [Augustine].
Verse 18, "Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things unto her."
LGT "Mary Magdalene coming and announcing to the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and these things He said to her."
Mary came and announced to the disciples the message Jesus had given her in verse seventeen. I am sure the disciples were disturbed at the fact that Christ did not appear to them personally and give them this message, but He chose to send a woman to tell them not to be troubled. I am sure they probably said, yea, sure; the disciples would not be satisfied until they heard from Christ first hand.
The Appearance of Jesus to the Disciples
Verse 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."
LGT "Therefore it being the evening of the first day of the week and the doors having been shut where the disciples were because of the fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stepped into the midst and saying to them, Peace to you."
"When the doors were shut"
Actually the doors were locked for the night.
"Where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews,"
The disciples were gathered together behind locked doors because they feared the Jews would seek them out and kill them. Many believe that the first church met on the first day of the week in the evening in remembrance of this occasion.
"Came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you."
Some commentators say that they do not believe that Jesus came through the locked doors without opening them; this however does not seem likely to me, because why would John mention the locked doors if it was not for the purpose of telling us that Jesus was not restricted by anything in this physical universe; there is nothing in this universe that could possibly present an obstruction for the Lords glorified body. McGee writes, "Here we see, they knew Him when they saw Him. These men were frightened, of course. He appeared in His glorified body and came into the room even though the doors were locked. We learn from this that the glorified body is not subject to the laws of the material universe. That is why I believe that when the rapture occurs and our bodies are changed, there will be no problem for us to meet the Lord in the air." Jesus meets the disciples with the usual greeting "Peace unto you.' "As they heard These words from Jesus, they would remember how recently He had said to them, Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you' (John 14:27) - and yet it must have seemed years ago, because of what had happened since then" (Bruce).
Verse 20, "And when He had so said, He showed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord."
LGT "And having said this He showed the hands and the side to them. The disciples therefore rejoiced having seen the Lord."
I don't use personal commentary in my expositions very often, but here I think it is necessary because of the difference of opinion by the commentators I read; some think Jesus does not still have the scars of the cross, and others, including McGee, believe that Christ will bear the scars for eternity. I agree with the last group, because I think that these scars are a badge of honor and glory for Him. The scars at this time were proof to the disciples that He is resurrected, and I believe it will be an opportunity for us to see them and praise Christ for all eternity. When the disciples saw the Lord, they rejoiced together as Christ said they would in 16:22, "And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you."
Verse 21, "Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you."
LGT "He said therefore to them again, Peace to you: just as the Father has sent Me, I also send you."
"Peace be unto you."
When Jesus speaks this second salutation the disciple's hearts was dispelled of all fear and apprehension.
"As My Father has sent Me, even so send I you."
As Christ was the Father's Apostle to the world, these disciples were apostles of Christ to the World. The word 'apostle' gr. apostello means a sent one. The disciples are now real apostles, for now they are sent with a commission; Christ also does not send the apostles into the world without proper spiritual equipment. Today, in our age of grace, we believers all have the same spiritual equipment, the Holy Word of God. We all know that we no longer are equipped with the spiritual apostolic gifts that Christ equipped His apostles, before the Word was completed. Redemption is now complete, and Jesus is sending the apostles out with the glorious message.
Verse 22, "And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost."
LGT "And having said this He breathed into [them] and says to them, Receive you [the] Holy Spirit. "
This verse marks out a unique part of history. The Lord here gives the disciples the necessary infusion of the Holy Spirit; at Pentecost the Apostolic Church will begin with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that occurs at Pentecost before the Word of God is complete; this outpouring at Pentecost should not be confused with the baptism of the Holy Spirit that occurs every time a believer is born again.
"He breathed on them,"
McGee believes that this is when the disciples became believers, or were born again. I believe that they were born again the moment they saw Him and heard Him, and were convinced that He was the Christ. "His breathing on them was to convey the fact that His very own Spirit was imparted to them" [TEGT].
"The Spirit is imparted by the breath of JesusÂ…But it is not the bestowal of life that is in view, but empowerment for ministry. The absence of the definite article before 'Holy Spirit' here has led some commentators to suggest that it is not the personal Spirit that is in view here, but a spiritual gift or endowment. This is a precarious [shaky] argument; the presence or absence of the article with pneuma [spirit] (or pneuma hagion, Holy Spirit as here) is not an infallible criterion for distinguishing between the Giver and His gifts. Since the Spirit is bestowed to empower them to fulfill the commission they have just received, the authority conveyed in the Lord's following words is probably also related to the fulfillment of their commission" (The Gospel and Epistles of John - F. F. Bruce).
Verse 23, "Whosoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosoever sins ye retain, they are retained."
LGT "Whosoever sin you forgive the sins are forgiven them, whosoever you retain, they have been retained."
This verse by no means, says that Christ is giving the disciples the power to forgive a man's sins, for that is reserved for the Son of God alone. All this verse says is that will be preaching the forgiveness of sins, and that by believing in Christ and Christ alone they will receive this forgiveness unto eternal life. It was the Apostles alone who received this special power to go out and proclaim the Good News of the Gospel. I get really tired of these modern day imitators who say they are God's ministers with this Holy Spirit power. The power that all Christians have is the Word of God; it is true that all Christians are baptized into the body of Christ through the Holy Spirit, but this is only a position and not some supernatural Holy Spirit gift of anointing.
Bruce adds: "The Apostle's role is declaratory, but it is God who effectively remits or retains. The servants of Christ are given no authority independent of His, nor is any assurance of infallibility given them. 'It is only the interpretation of the promise as a guarantee against error that is wrong. A certainty that the Holy Spirit will sustain the Church in responsible action as it cleaves to God in Christ is the certainty that the Church needs and on which it can rely' [H. Cunliffe-Jones, Two Questions Concerning the Holy Spirit]."
"Nowhere in the Book of Acts or in the Epistles do we find any instance of an apostle remitting the sins of anyone. They do go everywhere, proclaiming the forgiveness of sins. Let me ask the question: What is it that forgives sins? Even God cannot arbitrarily forgive sins. Forgiveness of sins is only and alone through the blood of Jesus Christ. Back in the Old Testament, the forgiveness of sins was based on the fact that Christ would come and die. God saved 'on credit' in the Old Testament until Christ would come and pay the penalty. Today God forgives our sins when we believe that Christ died for them" [T. T. B. J. Vernon McGee].
"While Christ enjoins the Apostles to forgive sins, He does not convey to them what is peculiar to Himself. It belongs to Him to forgive sins. This honor, so far as it belongs peculiarly to Himself, He does not surrender to the Apostles, but enjoins them, in His name, to proclaim the forgiveness of sins, that through their agency He may reconcile men to God. In short, properly speaking, it is He alone who forgives sins through His apostles and ministers preaching.
It ought to be observed, however, that every one who hears the voice of the Gospel, if he do not embrace the forgiveness of sins which is there promised to him, is liable to eternal damnation; for, as it is a life-giving savor to the children of God, so to those who perish it is the savor of death to death, (2 Cor. 2:16). Not that the preaching of the Gospel is necessary for condemning the reprobate, for by nature we are all lost, and, in addition to the hereditary curse, every one who draws down on himself additional causes of death, but because the obstinacy of those who knowingly and willingly despise the Son of God deserves much severer punishment" (The gospel Of John - John Calvin).
Jesus and Thomas
Verse 24, "But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came."
LGT "But Thomas, one of the twelve, the one called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came."
Why Thomas was not there would only be speculation, and you kids know how much I detest speculation, so I will leave it alone. The name Didymus means double [Old World for twin]. The term one of the twelve is still used for the eleven apostles, even though Judas is dead. We will see by the next verse that Thomas was pessimistic, to say the least.
Verse 25, "The other disciples therefore said unto Him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I will see in His hands the print of nails, and put my finger into the print of nails, and thrust my hand into the side, I will not believe."
LGT "The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said to them, Unless I see in His hands the prints of the nails and put my finger into the prints of the nails and put my hand into His side, I will never believe."
"Some people, in times of great and desolating sorrow, find comfort in one another's company. Others prefer to creep into a corner and be alone with their grief. Thomas belonged to this latter category. When the others sought him out and told him their exciting news, he was not impressed. They might have succumbed to wishful thinking, but he was not to be taken in. Even when they told him how they had identified the Lord by the nail prints in His hands and the spear-wound in His side, he would not be persuaded; he knew what imagination was capable of. Seeing would not be enough for him; only if he put his finger into the nail-prints and his hand into the spear-wound would he be convinced. Optical illusions were not unknown, but he reckoned that the evidence of touch would show whether there was solid flesh there or not. He has come to be known as 'doubting Thomas', but he was not really any more doubting than the others; had he been with them on the evening of that first Easter Day, his doubts would have been removed at the same time as theirs. As it was, he had to wait a further week" (Bruce).
Verse 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."
LGT "And after eight days again His disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus comes, the doors having been shut and stood in the midst and said, Peace to you."
"And after eight days"
This is the next Sunday evening, on the eighth day. This was the first day of the new week.
"Again His disciples were within, and Thomas with them:"
They were all now gathered. The days of the festival of unleavened bread were over, and the disciples were getting ready to leave for their homes in Galilee. Thomas had not been there the week before when Jesus spoke with the disciples, so he was still skeptical.
"Then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace unto you."
There is no connecting particle 'then' the abrupt Jesus comes is more graphic (Vincent). Jesus greets them now as He did before.
Verse 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."
LGT "Then He says to Thomas, bring your finger here and see My hands and bring your hand and thrust into My side, and stop becoming unbelieving, but believing."
"Then saith He to Thomas,"
Jesus addresses Thomas immediately, knowing that he had not been there a week earlier, and He says See the signs of the cross; the nail prints in My hands, and the wound in My side; now you can literally, stop becoming unbelieving, and you can now become a believer. Jesus will always meet honest doubt, but He will never tolerate the dishonest skeptic.
Verse 28, "And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and My God."
LGT "Thomas answered and said to Him, My Lord and My God."
Thomas was wholly convinced as His exclamation of delight is expressed. The expression is equivalent to; You are My Lord and God.
Verse 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."
LGT "Jesus says to him, Because thou hast seen Me, Thomas, thou hast believed: blessed [are] they who have not seen and have believed."
What a comfort this is to us today who believe in Christ because we believe in God's Word. We are who Christ is referring to in this verse; He is referring to all who have believed the witness of is Word, yet have never felt the prints nor thrust our hands into His side; what a joy it will be, when we see Him face to face and receive the 'well done' welcome in eternity.
The Purpose of the Book
Verse 30, And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book."
LGT "Many therefore also other signs Jesus did in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book:"
"If John had not cautioned his readers by this observation, they might have supposed that he had left out none of the miracles which Christ had performed, and had given a full and complete account of all that happened. John, therefore, testifies, first, that he has only related some things out of a large number; not that the others were unworthy of being recorded, but because these were sufficient to edify faith. And yet it does not follow that they were performed in vain, for they profited that age. Secondly, though at the present day we have not a minute knowledge of them, still we must not suppose it to be of little importance for us to know that the Gospel was sealed by a vast number of miracles" (Calvin).
Verse 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."
LGT "But these have been written in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name."
"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God;"
John is stating two purposes for having written this Gospel; the first is found in this first phrase. John is putting down the Cerinthian Gnostic denial of Christ's deity, and the Docetic notion that of denying the humanity of Jesus Christ. Both heresies were plaguing the early church, and John continues his assault on these false cults in his epistles. The second purpose is found in the next phrase:
"And that believing ye might have life through His name."
John is very concerned that his beloved children all believers, would have assurance that they are eternally secure. Eternal Security of the believer is imperative for any Christian to mature. A believer can be insecure about his salvation, but he cannot grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, and mature in his walk in the Light. It is by believing in the name of Christ alone that saves, and every believer must be assured that it is by faith in Christ alone that He is kept unto the day of the Lord, when we will all stand before Him.
Share freely but cite the source: http://bbbiblehelps.epizy.com