The Whole Story
John 20
John 20 opens with the quiet of early
morning. The shadows of death still linger. The tomb is sealed — or so they
think. The One they had followed, loved, and hoped in had been crucified, laid
in a borrowed grave. All seemed lost. The air is heavy with grief and
confusion. But what happens next changes everything — not just for the
disciples, but for the entire world. For the tomb is not closed. The grave is
not occupied. Jesus has risen.
Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb while it is
still dark. She is not expecting resurrection — she is coming to grieve. But
when she arrives, the stone has been rolled away. Panicked and bewildered, she
runs to tell Peter and John. They come, see the empty linen cloths, and leave
still uncertain. But Mary stays. She weeps outside the tomb, longing for
answers, aching for hope. And then, in her sorrow, she hears a voice: “Woman,
why are you weeping?” She turns and sees someone she assumes is the gardener.
Until He speaks her name: “Mary.”
In that moment, everything changes. The risen
Jesus doesn’t first appear to rulers or priests or even the apostles — He comes
to a woman weeping in a garden. He doesn’t thunder from the heavens — He
whispers a name. And the tomb that once held death now holds life. The garden
that once echoed with mourning now sings with resurrection.
Jesus appears to His disciples next — not
with condemnation, but with peace. “Peace be with you,” He says, showing them
His hands and side. He breathes on them, not with judgment, but with the
Spirit. Where there had been fear, He brings joy. Where there had been doubt,
He brings assurance.
This is no myth. No symbol. No metaphor. The
resurrection of Jesus is the historical, bodily, world-altering triumph of God
over death. Sin has been defeated. Death has lost its sting. The tomb is empty,
and our hope is alive.
John 20 is not just the conclusion of the
Gospel — it is the turning point of redemptive history. And it is deeply
personal. Jesus knows His sheep by name. He comes to the brokenhearted. He
enters locked rooms of fear. He replaces sorrow with joy, and doubt with faith.
Jesus is here, not in theory but in power,
not in memory but in flesh and blood, raised and reigning. He is alive, and
because He lives, everything changes.
John 20:11-29
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb,
and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in
white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the
feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them,
“They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14
Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not
know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom
are you seeking?” Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, “Sir, if
you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take Him
away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to Him in Aramaic,
“Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me,
for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brothers and say to
them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’”
18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord” —
and that He had said these things to her.
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
19 On the evening of that day, the first day
of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the
Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20
When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the
disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace
be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when He
had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold
forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
Jesus and Thomas
24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the
Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him,
“We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the
mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my
hand into His side, I will never believe.” 26 Eight days later, His disciples
were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked,
Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then He said
to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and
place it in My side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered Him,
“My Lord and My God!” 29 Jesus said to Him, “Have you believed because you have
seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
The
Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001
by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. John
20:11-29
Discussion Questions
- Mary’s encounter shows how Jesus meets us in
grief (vv. 11–16). How have you experienced Christ’s presence in seasons of
sorrow?
- The disciples received peace and mission when
Jesus appeared (vv. 19–23). How does Jesus’ resurrection bring you peace in
fearful circumstances today?
- Thomas doubted until he saw the wounds of
Christ (vv. 24–29). How does Jesus meet us in our doubts, and how can the
church be a safe place for honest questions?
- John’s purpose statement (vv. 30–31) is for
all who read. How does this chapter strengthen your faith personally?
- Which character’s encounter resonates most
with your own walk with God right now, and why?
END
Teacher Notes:
Clip Below
I don't know what each of you are going through right now, but I do know that we will all experience the grief that Mary had, the fear that the disciples had, and the doubt that Thomas had.
And when we do - it's important for us to know that God is wrapping His arms around you and saying...
