What does John 20:1 mean?

Explanation

John 20:1 refers to an event described in the New Testament of the Christian Bible, where Mary Magdalene visits the tomb where Jesus was buried following his crucifixion.

The verse sets the scene for the discovery of the empty tomb, a pivotal moment in Christian theology, as it precedes the appearances of the resurrected Jesus.

The phrase "the first day of the week" corresponds to what we now consider Sunday, marking the beginning of a new week, symbolizing a new beginning and the dawn of a new covenant in Christian belief.

The mention of it being "early, when it was yet dark" suggests that Mary Magdalene came to the tomb at dawn, emphasizing the element of surprise and the unfolding of something significant and unexpected.

The "sepulchre" refers to Jesus' tomb, and "seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre" indicates that Mary Magdalene noticed that the stone which sealed Jesus' tomb had been removed, unveiling the first indication that something miraculous had occurred.

Historical Context

When John 20:1 was written, the early Christian community was facing a period of reflection and expansion.

The Gospel of John is commonly dated to the late first century, and the intended audience was likely the members of the Johannine community and broader groups of early Christians.

This context involves a society where burial practices often included placing the deceased in a tomb with a stone rolled across the entrance.

The discovery of the empty tomb by a woman also benefits from historical context. In the time of Jesus, the testimony of women was not always considered credible in legal settings.

Therefore, the inclusion of Mary Magdalene as the first witness to the empty tomb provides a stark and potentially countercultural narrative that early Christians may have used to emphasize the truth of the resurrection, as this detail would be unlikely to be fabricated.

Theological Insights

Different theological viewpoints interpret this passage in various ways. In traditional Christian theology, this verse is significant in establishing the truth of the resurrection, setting the stage for the risen Christ, an act of divine power and central to Christian faith.

Liberal theologians may focus on the symbolic nature of the passage, interpreting the darkness and the light as metaphorical for spiritual darkness turning into enlightenment.

Another important theological insight here revolves around the role of Mary Magdalene, who is seen by some traditions as an apostle to the apostles due to her being the first to bear the news of the resurrection.

Practical Applications

In daily life, this verse can inspire individuals to seek truth and hope in times of darkness.

The empty tomb symbolizes new beginnings and can encourage believers to have faith in the midst of uncertainty.

It also could be seen as a call for inclusivity and the acknowledgment of women's roles in spiritual contexts.

Cross-References

• Mark 16:2: "And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun."
• Luke 24:2: "And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre."
• Matthew 28:1: "In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre."

Language Study

The Greek term for "first day of the week" is "mia ton sabbaton", literally "one [day] of the Sabbaths".

"The sabbath" was Saturday, and the subsequent day would be the first day of the week.

"Seeth" translates from the Greek verb "blepei", indicating a sudden or immediate perception.

"Taken away" in Greek is "airo", which can mean taken up, removed or lifted up, alluding to an active intervention, rather than the stone simply being fallen or rolled aside by natural means.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the story of the empty tomb, comparisons can be made with other ancient myths that involve the death and resurrection of deities or heroes, like the Sumerian god Tammuz, the Greek myths of Persephone or Dionysus, or the Egyptian tale of Osiris.

These comparisons help to situate the Christian narrative within the broader context of the Mediterraneans' death and resurrection imaginations.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern science does not typically address supernatural events like the resurrection, as they fall outside the purview of empirical and replicable evidence.

However, it can sometimes offer insight into the natural phenomena described in the Bible, such as the analysis of ancient burial practices, geological assessments that could account for the stone being moved (e.g., earthquakes), or psychological considerations on individual or collective experiences of visions and appearances.

Commentaries

Various experts and commentaries offer differing perspectives on this verse.

Traditional commentators like Matthew Henry emphasize the literal historical occurrence of the resurrection and view the passage as proof of Jesus's divine power.

Modern scholarly commentaries, like those found in the New Oxford Annotated Bible or the HarperCollins Study Bible, may offer more historical and literary context for understanding the text, often discussing the role of Mary Magdalene and the significance of the resurrection narrative in Christian tradition and theology.