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John 20

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.

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.

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

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

And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.

Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,

And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.

For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

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

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

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 nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

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.

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.

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

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

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

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.

What does John 20:18 mean?

Explanation

John 20:18 recounts an important event in Christian belief: the first appearance of the resurrected Jesus to Mary Magdalene. After discovering the empty tomb, Mary Magdalene encounters Jesus and initially does not recognize Him.

It is only after Jesus speaks to her that she realizes whom she is talking to. Filled with joy and awe, Mary Magdalene then goes to the disciples to convey Jesus' resurrection, announcing that she has seen the Lord and that he has communicated a message to her.

This verse captures not just an instance of witness but is also a testament to the role of Mary Magdalene as the first evangelist, sharing the news of Jesus' triumph over death.

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Historical Context

The Gospel of John was written in a context where the early Christian communities were defining their beliefs and doctrines about Jesus Christ, life after death, the role of apostles and women in their communities, and the meaning of the resurrection.

The narrative occurs on the first day of the week, following Jewish Passover, around 30-33 AD, when Mary Magdalene visits Jesus's tomb early in the morning. The Gospel of John is believed to have been written towards the end of the first century.

Theological Insights

This verse is significant for several theological reasons:

Revelation of the Risen Christ: Theologically, the appearance of the resurrected Jesus to Mary Magdalene is crucial as it verifies His bodily resurrection and the power of God over death.
Apostolic Witness: The mandate given to Mary Magdalene to inform others is seen as an apostolic mission, marking an early insight into the role of witness in the Christian faith.
Role of Women: This passage also challenges the cultural norms of the time by elevating a woman to be the first witness of the resurrection, reinforcing a theme in the Gospels of women being integral to Jesus’s ministry.

Practical Applications

Practical applications from this verse include:

Sharing the Gospel: Like Mary Magdalene, Christians are encouraged to share their experiences of encountering Christ with others.
Recognizing Jesus' Presence: This passage calls believers to be open to recognizing Jesus in their lives, even when it may not be immediately obvious.
Equality in Ministry: The role of Mary Magdalene highlights the inclusion and important roles that all individuals, regardless of gender, can have in faith communities.

Cross-References

Matthew 28:7 - "And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you."
Luke 24:10 - "It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles."
Mark 16:9 - "Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.”

Language Study

The phrase "she had seen the Lord" includes the Greek word “ἑώρακα” (heōraka), which is the perfect active indicative form of “ὁράω” (horaō), meaning “to see, perceive, or experience.” This tense indicates a completed action with ongoing effects, implying that Mary Magdalene’s encounter with Jesus was both a historical event and a continuous influence on her life.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Mary Magdalene's encounter with Jesus can be compared with experiences of divine appearances in other religious traditions, such as theophanies.

These sacred appearances are present in various cultures and religions, serving different purposes, such as confirming a message, as a test of faith, or as a catalyst for transformation in the individual who experiences it.

Scientific Perspectives

Most modern scientific perspectives take a historical or psychological approach to mystical experiences in religious texts.

They might analyze the neurological basis of religious visions or use historical critical methods to contextualize the report of Jesus' resurrection as a religious experience symbolically representing hope or new life, rather than as a literal historical event.

Commentaries

Most biblical commentaries interpret John 20:18 as both a personal encounter and a broader theological statement.

They see Mary Magdalene as a central character in the spread of the Christian message.

Commentaries often explore the nature of her encounter with the risen Christ and its implications for understanding the resurrection, apostolic witness, and the role of women in the Church’s mission.

Some interpret the event symbolically, while others maintain a literal approach, seeing it as the fulfillment of biblical prophecy and the foundation of Christian belief in life after death.

John 20

John 20

What does John 20:18 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 20:18 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?