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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 20:24 mean?

Explanation

John 20:24 highlights an event surrounding the appearances of the resurrected Jesus Christ to His disciples.

In the narrative, the verse poignantly notes the absence of Thomas, also known as Didymus, during one such appearance.

As one of the twelve main disciples, his absence is significant.

It sets the stage for his subsequent doubts regarding Jesus' resurrection and the famous encounter where Jesus invites Thomas to feel His wounds.

The verse speaks to themes of belief and skepticism, fellowship, and the importance of eyewitness testimony in the Christian faith.

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Historical Context

John 20:24 occurs within the context of Jesus' post-resurrection appearances to His disciples.

Thomas, also referred to by the Greek name Didymus meaning "twin," is noted for being absent when Jesus first appeared to the other ten disciples (Judas Iscariot being deceased).

This absence is critical as it leads to Thomas' demand for empirical evidence of Jesus' resurrection.

The early Christian community had to confront doubts about the resurrection and establish the veracity of eyewitness accounts, which was fundamental for the faith's propagation.

Theological Insights

Different Christian denominations consider the implications of this verse within their theological frameworks.

A common interpretation is the tension between faith and doubt.

Where Thomas represents the skeptic that must be convinced by empirical evidence, other disciples embody faith that does not demand visual proof.

The verse also underscores the physicality of Jesus' resurrection which is central to Christian theology – that Christ rose in bodily form, not just as a spiritual being.

Practical Applications

The verse can have applications in how individuals approach belief and skepticism in their lives.

It encourages looking beyond immediate doubt and being open to the evidence of transformation in others' lives as testimony to truth.

It also speaks to the importance of community, had Thomas been present with other believers, he might not have doubted.

Finally, it teaches the value of having patience with those who doubt and providing them support on their spiritual journey.

Cross-References

John 20:19-20: Describes the appearance of Jesus to the disciples without Thomas.
John 20:27-28: Jesus' interaction with Thomas upon his later encounter.
John 11:16: Thomas is willing to die with Jesus, showing his devotion despite his doubt.
John 14:5: Thomas questioning Jesus about the way to the place He is going.
Mark 9:24: The father of a possessed boy exclaims, "I believe; help my unbelief."

Language Study

The Greek word for "called" (λεγόμενος - legomenos) signifies being named or referred to, indicating Thomas' secondary name "Didymus" which means "twin." The use of two names for Thomas might reflect an audience familiar with both Jewish and Hellenistic names.

The term "one of the twelve" is significant because it highlights the importance of the apostolic witness and their foundational role in the early church.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Thomas' skepticism and desire for proof have parallels in other cultural myths and religious narratives that value empirical evidence.

For example, in Greek mythology, Epimetheus is skeptical of the gods' gifts, akin to Thomas’s demand for proof.

In Hinduism, empirical inquiry and direct experience are valued in the pursuit of spiritual truth, as seen in the practices of yogis and the message of texts like the Bhagavad Gita.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific point of view, the desire for empirical evidence is a foundation of the scientific method.

Thomas embodies a critical and empirical approach that modern science values.

Interestingly, his skepticism leads to arguably one of the most significant empirical investigations in the New Testament narrative , the direct examination of the physical evidence of Jesus' wounds.

Commentaries

Commentators often view Thomas' doubt in this verse as a natural human response and appreciable for its honesty.

William Barclay notes Thomas' courage and loyalty but also his essential doubting nature.

Lenski emphasizes the reality of Christ's resurrection and Thomas' critical role in offering tangible evidence.

Matthew Henry speaks of the consequences of forsaking the assemblies of Christians, as possibly leading to weakness like Thomas's doubts.

Contemporary scholars emphasize the text's nature as part of John's broader aims to establish belief in Jesus as the risen Messiah.

John 20

John 20

What does John 20:24 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 20:24 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?