Worthy.Bible » Parallel » John » Chapter 20 » Verse 1-31

John 20:1-31 King James Version (KJV)

1 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.

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 sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

20 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.

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

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

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

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

25 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.


John 20:1-31 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 G1161 The first G3391 day of the week G4521 cometh G2064 Mary G3137 Magdalene G3094 early, G4404 when it was G5607 yet G2089 dark, G4653 unto G1519 the sepulchre, G3419 and G2532 seeth G991 the stone G3037 taken away G142 from G1537 the sepulchre. G3419

2 Then G3767 she runneth, G5143 and G2532 cometh G2064 to G4314 Simon G4613 Peter, G4074 and G2532 to G4314 the other G243 disciple, G3101 whom G3739 Jesus G2424 loved, G5368 and G2532 saith G3004 unto them, G846 They have taken away G142 the Lord G2962 out of G1537 the sepulchre, G3419 and G2532 we know G1492 not G3756 where G4226 they have laid G5087 him. G846

3 Peter G4074 therefore G3767 went forth, G1831 and G2532 that other G243 disciple, G3101 and G2532 came G2064 to G1519 the sepulchre. G3419

4 So G1161 they ran G5143 both G1417 together: G3674 and G2532 the other G243 disciple G3101 did outrun G4390 G5032 Peter, G4074 and G2532 came G2064 first G4413 to G1519 the sepulchre. G3419

5 And G2532 he stooping down, G3879 and looking in, saw G991 the linen clothes G3608 lying; G2749 yet G3305 went he G1525 not G3756 in. G1525

6 Then G3767 cometh G2064 Simon G4613 Peter G4074 following G190 him, G846 and G2532 went G1525 into G1519 the sepulchre, G3419 and G2532 seeth G2334 the linen clothes G3608 lie, G2749

7 And G2532 the napkin, G4676 that G3739 was G2258 about G1909 his G846 head, G2776 not G3756 lying G2749 with G3326 the linen clothes, G3608 but G235 wrapped together G1794 in G1519 a place G5117 by itself. G1520 G5565

8 Then G5119 G3767 went in G1525 also G2532 that other G243 disciple, G3101 which G3588 came G2064 first G4413 to G1519 the sepulchre, G3419 and G2532 he saw, G1492 and G2532 believed. G4100

9 For G1063 as yet G3764 they knew G1492 not G3764 the scripture, G1124 that G3754 he G846 must G1163 rise again G450 from G1537 the dead. G3498

10 Then G3767 the disciples G3101 went away G565 again G3825 unto G4314 their own home. G1438

11 But G1161 Mary G3137 stood G2476 without G1854 at G4314 the sepulchre G3419 weeping: G2799 and G3767 as G5613 she wept, G2799 she stooped down, G3879 and looked into G1519 the sepulchre, G3419

12 And G2532 seeth G2334 two G1417 angels G32 in G1722 white G3022 sitting, G2516 the one G1520 at G4314 the head, G2776 and G2532 the other G1520 at G4314 the feet, G4228 where G3699 the body G4983 of Jesus G2424 had lain. G2749

13 And G2532 they G1565 say G3004 unto her, G846 Woman, G1135 why G5101 weepest thou? G2799 She saith G3004 unto them, G846 Because G3754 they have taken away G142 my G3450 Lord, G2962 and G2532 I know G1492 not G3756 where G4226 they have laid G5087 him. G846

14 And G2532 when she had G2036 thus G5023 said, G2036 she turned G4762 herself G1519 back, G3694 and G2532 saw G2334 Jesus G2424 standing, G2476 and G2532 knew G1492 not G3756 that G3754 it was G2076 Jesus. G2424

15 Jesus G2424 saith G3004 unto her, G846 Woman, G1135 why G5101 weepest thou? G2799 whom G5101 seekest thou? G2212 She, G1565 supposing G1380 G3754 him to be G2076 the gardener, G2780 saith G3004 unto him, G846 Sir, G2962 if G1487 thou G4771 have borne G941 him G846 hence, G941 tell G2036 me G3427 where G4226 thou hast laid G5087 him, G846 and I G2504 will take G142 him G846 away. G142

16 Jesus G2424 saith G3004 unto her, G846 Mary. G3137 She G1565 turned G4762 herself, and saith G3004 unto him, G846 Rabboni; G4462 which G3739 is to say, G3004 Master. G1320

17 Jesus G2424 saith G3004 unto her, G846 Touch G680 me G3450 not; G3361 for G1063 I am G305 not yet G3768 ascended G305 to G4314 my G3450 Father: G3962 but G1161 go G4198 to G4314 my G3450 brethren, G80 and G2532 say G2036 unto them, G846 I ascend G305 unto G4314 my G3450 Father, G3962 and G2532 your G5216 Father; G3962 and G2532 to my G3450 God, G2316 and G2532 your G5216 God. G2316

18 Mary G3137 Magdalene G3094 came G2064 and told G518 the disciples G3101 that G3754 she had seen G3708 the Lord, G2962 and G2532 that he had spoken G2036 these things G5023 unto her. G846

19 Then G3767 the same G1565 day G2250 at evening, G3798 being G5607 the first G3391 day of the week, G4521 when G2532 the doors G2374 were shut G2808 where G3699 the disciples G3101 were G2258 assembled G4863 for G1223 fear G5401 of the Jews, G2453 came G2064 Jesus G2424 and G2532 stood G2476 in G1519 the midst, G3319 and G2532 saith G3004 unto them, G846 Peace G1515 be unto you. G5213

20 And G2532 when he had G2036 so G5124 said, G2036 he shewed G1166 unto them G846 his hands G5495 and G2532 his G846 side. G4125 Then G3767 were G5463 the disciples G3101 glad, G5463 when they saw G1492 the Lord. G2962

21 Then G3767 said G2036 Jesus G2424 to them G846 again, G3825 Peace G1515 be unto you: G5213 as G2531 my Father G3962 hath sent G649 me, G3165 even so G2504 send G3992 I G2504 you. G5209

22 And G2532 when he had said G2036 this, G5124 he breathed on G1720 them, and G2532 saith G3004 unto them, G846 Receive ye G2983 the Holy G40 Ghost: G4151

23 Whose G5100 soever G302 sins G266 ye remit, G863 they are remitted G863 unto them; G846 and whose G5100 soever G302 sins ye retain, G2902 they are retained. G2902

24 But G1161 Thomas, G2381 one G1520 of G1537 the twelve, G1427 called G3004 Didymus, G1324 was G2258 not G3756 with G3326 them G846 when G3753 Jesus G2424 came. G2064

25 The other G243 disciples G3101 therefore G3767 said G3004 unto him, G846 We have seen G3708 the Lord. G2962 But G1161 he said G2036 unto them, G846 Except G3362 I shall see G1492 in G1722 his G846 hands G5495 the print G5179 of the nails, G2247 and G2532 put G906 my G3450 finger G1147 into G1519 the print G5179 of the nails, G2247 and G2532 thrust G906 my G3450 hand G5495 into G1519 his G846 side, G4125 I will G4100 not G3364 believe. G4100

26 And G2532 after G3326 eight G3638 days G2250 again G3825 his G846 disciples G3101 were G2258 within, G2080 and G2532 Thomas G2381 with G3326 them: G846 then came G2064 Jesus, G2424 the doors G2374 being shut, G2808 and G2532 stood G2476 in G1519 the midst, G3319 and G2532 said, G2036 Peace G1515 be unto you. G5213

27 Then G1534 saith he G3004 to Thomas, G2381 Reach G5342 hither G5602 thy G4675 finger, G1147 and G2532 behold G1492 my G3450 hands; G5495 and G2532 reach hither G5342 thy G4675 hand, G5495 and G2532 thrust G906 it into G1519 my G3450 side: G4125 and G2532 be G1096 not G3361 faithless, G571 but G235 believing. G4103

28 And G2532 Thomas G2381 answered G611 and G2532 said G2036 unto him, G846 My G3450 Lord G2962 and G2532 my G3450 God. G2316

29 Jesus G2424 saith G3004 unto him, G846 Thomas, G2381 because G3754 thou hast seen G3708 me, G3165 thou hast believed: G4100 blessed G3107 are they that have not G3361 seen, G1492 and G2532 yet have believed. G4100

30 And G2532 many G4183 other G243 signs G4592 truly G3303 G3767 did G4160 Jesus G2424 in the presence G1799 of his G846 disciples, G3101 which G3739 are G2076 not G3756 written G1125 in G1722 this G5129 book: G975

31 But G1161 these G5023 are written, G1125 that G2443 ye might believe G4100 that G3754 Jesus G2424 is G2076 the Christ, G5547 the Son G5207 of God; G2316 and G2532 that G2443 believing G4100 ye might have G2192 life G2222 through G1722 his G846 name. G3686


John 20:1-31 American Standard (ASV)

1 Now on the first `day' of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, while it was yet dark, unto the tomb, and seeth the stone taken away from the tomb.

2 She runneth therefore, 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 tomb, and we know not where they have laid him.

3 Peter therefore went forth, and the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb.

4 And they ran both together: and the other disciple outran Peter, and came first to the tomb;

5 and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths lying; yet entered he not in.

6 Simon Peter therefore also cometh, following him, and entered into the tomb; and he beholdeth the linen cloths lying,

7 and the napkin, that was upon his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself.

8 Then entered in therefore the other disciple also, who came first to the tomb, and he saw, and believed.

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

10 So the disciples went away again unto their own home.

11 But Mary was standing without at the tomb weeping: so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb;

12 and she beholdeth two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

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.

14 When she had thus said, she turned herself back, and beholdeth Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

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 hast borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turneth herself, and saith unto him in Hebrew, Rabboni; which is to say, Teacher.

17 Jesus saith to her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended unto the Father: but go unto my brethren, and say to them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and my God and your God.

18 Mary Magdalene cometh and telleth the disciples, I have seen the Lord; and `that' he had said these things unto her.

19 When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first `day' of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace `be' unto you.

20 And when he had said this, he showed unto them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord.

21 Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace `be' unto you: as the Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

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

23 whose soever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven unto them; whose soever `sins' ye retain, they are retained.

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

25 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 hand into his side, I will not believe.

26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace `be' unto you.

27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and see my hands; and reach `hither' thy hand, and put it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

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

29 Jesus saith unto him, Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed `are' they that have not seen, and `yet' have believed.

30 Many other signs therefore did Jesus in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book:

31 but these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye may have life in his name.


John 20:1-31 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And on the first of the sabbaths, Mary the Magdalene doth come early (there being yet darkness) to the tomb, and she seeth the stone having been taken away out of the tomb,

2 she runneth, therefore, and cometh unto Simon Peter, and unto the other disciple whom Jesus was loving, and saith to them, `They took away the Lord out of the tomb, and we have not known where they laid him.'

3 Peter, therefore, went forth, and the other disciple, and they were coming to the tomb,

4 and the two were running together, and the other disciple did run forward more quickly than Peter, and came first to the tomb,

5 and having stooped down, seeth the linen clothes lying, yet, indeed, he entered not.

6 Simon Peter, therefore, cometh, following him, and he entered into the tomb, and beholdeth the linen clothes lying,

7 and the napkin that was upon his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but apart, having been folded up, in one place;

8 then, therefore, entered also the other disciple who came first unto the tomb, and he saw, and did believe;

9 for not yet did they know the Writing, that it behoveth him out of the dead to rise again.

10 The disciples therefore went away again unto their own friends,

11 and Mary was standing near the tomb, weeping without; as she was weeping, then, she stooped down to the tomb, and beholdeth two messengers in white, sitting,

12 one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been laid.

13 And they say to her, `Woman, why dost thou weep?' she saith to them, `Because they took away my Lord, and I have not known where they laid him;'

14 and these things having said, she turned backward, and seeth Jesus standing, and she had not known that it is Jesus.

15 Jesus saith to her, `Woman, why dost thou weep? whom dost thou seek;' she, supposing that he is the gardener, saith to him, `Sir, if thou didst carry him away, tell me where thou didst lay him, and I will take him away;'

16 Jesus saith to her, `Mary!' having turned, she saith to him, `Rabbouni;' that is to say, `Teacher.'

17 Jesus saith to her, `Be not touching me, for I have not yet ascended unto my Father; and be going on to my brethren, and say to them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father, and to my God, and to your God.'

18 Mary the Magdalene cometh, telling to the disciples that she hath seen the Lord, and `that' these things he said to her.

19 It being, therefore, evening, on that day, the first of the sabbaths, and the doors having been shut where the disciples were assembled, through fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and saith to them, `Peace to you;'

20 and this having said, he shewed them his hands and side; the disciples, therefore, rejoiced, having seen the Lord.

21 Jesus, therefore, said to them again, `Peace to you; according as the Father hath sent me, I also send you;'

22 and this having said, he breathed on `them', and saith to them, `Receive the Holy Spirit;

23 if of any ye may loose the sins, they are loosed to them; if of any ye may retain, they have been retained.'

24 And Thomas, one of the twelve, who is called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came;

25 the other disciples, therefore, said to him, `We have seen the Lord;' and he said to them, `If I may not see in his hands the mark of the nails, and may put my finger to the mark of the nails, and may put my hand to his side, I will not believe.'

26 And after eight days, again were his disciples within, and Thomas with them; Jesus cometh, the doors having been shut, and he stood in the midst, and said, `Peace to you!'

27 then he saith to Thomas, `Bring thy finger hither, and see my hands, and bring thy hand, and put `it' to my side, and become not unbelieving, but believing.'

28 And Thomas answered and said to him, `My Lord and my God;'

29 Jesus saith to him, `Because thou hast seen me, Thomas, thou hast believed; happy those not having seen, and having believed.'

30 Many indeed, therefore, other signs also did Jesus before his disciples, that are not written in this book;

31 and these have been written that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye may have life in his name.'


John 20:1-31 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 And on the first [day] of the week Mary of Magdala comes in early morn to the tomb, while it was still dark, and sees the stone taken away from the tomb.

2 She runs therefore and comes to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, to whom Jesus was attached, and says to them, They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we know not where they have laid him.

3 Peter therefore went forth, and the other disciple, and came to the tomb.

4 And the two ran together, and the other disciple ran forward faster than Peter, and came first to the tomb,

5 and stooping down he sees the linen cloths lying; he did not however go in.

6 Simon Peter therefore comes, following him, and entered into the tomb, and sees the linen cloths lying,

7 and the handkerchief which was upon his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded up in a distinct place by itself.

8 Then entered in therefore the other disciple also who came first to the tomb, and he saw and believed;

9 for they had not yet known the scripture, that he must rise from among [the] dead.

10 The disciples therefore went away again to their own home.

11 But Mary stood at the tomb weeping without. As therefore she wept, she stooped down into the tomb,

12 and beholds two angels sitting in white [garments], one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

13 And they say to her, Woman, why dost thou weep? She says to them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

14 Having said these things she turned backward and beholds Jesus standing [there], and knew not that it was Jesus.

15 Jesus says to her, Woman, why dost thou weep? Whom seekest thou? She, supposing that it was the gardener, says to him, Sir, if thou hast borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

16 Jesus says to her, Mary. She, turning round, says to him in Hebrew, Rabboni, which means Teacher.

17 Jesus says to her, Touch me not, for I have not yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I ascend to my Father and your Father, and [to] my God and your God.

18 Mary of Magdala comes bringing word to the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and [that] he had said these things to her.

19 When therefore it was evening on that day, which was the first [day] of the week, and the doors shut where the disciples were, through fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and says to them, Peace [be] to you.

20 And having said this, he shewed to them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced therefore, having seen the Lord.

21 [Jesus] said therefore again to them, Peace [be] to you: as the Father sent me forth, I also send you.

22 And having said this, he breathed into [them], and says to them, Receive [the] Holy Spirit:

23 whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted to them; whose soever [sins] ye retain, they are retained.

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

25 The other disciples therefore said to him, We have seen the Lord. But he said to them, Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.

26 And eight days after, his disciples were again within, and Thomas with them. Jesus comes, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst and said, Peace [be] to you.

27 Then he says to Thomas, Bring thy finger here and see my hands; and bring thy hand and put it into my side; and be not unbelieving, but believing.

28 Thomas answered and said to him, My Lord and my God.

29 Jesus says to him, Because thou hast seen me thou hast believed: blessed they who have not seen and have believed.

30 Many other signs therefore also Jesus did before his disciples, which are not written in this book;

31 but these are written that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye might have life in his name.


John 20:1-31 World English Bible (WEB)

1 Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went early, while it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw the stone taken away from the tomb.

2 Therefore she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have laid him!"

3 Therefore Peter and the other disciple went out, and they went toward the tomb.

4 They both ran together. The other disciple outran Peter, and came to the tomb first.

5 Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying, yet he didn't enter in.

6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and entered into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying,

7 and the cloth that had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself.

8 So then the other disciple who came first to the tomb also entered in, and he saw and believed.

9 For as yet they didn't know the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

10 So the disciples went away again to their own homes.

11 But Mary was standing outside at the tomb weeping. So, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb,

12 and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

13 They told her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I don't know where they have laid him."

14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, and didn't know that it was Jesus.

15 Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?" She, supposing him to be the gardener, 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, "Rhabbouni!" which is to say, "Teacher!"

17 Jesus said to her, "Don't touch me, for I haven't yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brothers, and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"

18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her.

19 When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be to you."

20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad when they saw the Lord.

21 Jesus therefore said to them again, "Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you."

22 When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit!

23 Whoever's sins you forgive, they are forgiven them. Whoever's sins you retain, they have been retained."

24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, wasn't with them when Jesus came.

25 The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."

26 After eight days again his disciples were inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being locked, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace be to you."

27 Then he said to Thomas, "Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Don't be unbelieving, but believing."

28 Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"

29 Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen me,{TR adds " Thomas,"} you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed."

30 Therefore Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book;

31 but these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.


John 20:1-31 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 Now on the first day of the week, very early, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the place and saw that the stone had been taken away from it.

2 Then she went running to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple who was loved by Jesus, and said to them, They have taken away the Lord out of the place of the dead and we have no knowledge where they have put him.

3 So Peter and the other disciple went out to the place of the dead.

4 They went running together, and the other disciple got in front of Peter and came first to the hole in the rock;

5 And looking in, he saw the linen bands on the earth; but he did not go in,

6 Then Simon Peter came after him and went into the hole in the rock; and he saw the linen bands on the earth,

7 And the cloth, which had been round his head, not with the linen bands but rolled up in a place by itself.

8 Then the other disciple who came there first went in; and he saw and belief came to him.

9 For at that time they had no knowledge that the Writings said that he would have to come again from the dead.

10 So then the disciples went away again to their houses.

11 But Mary was still there outside the hole in the rock, weeping; and while she was weeping and looking into the hole,

12 She saw two angels in white seated where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head and the other at the feet.

13 They said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? She said to them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I have no knowledge where they have put him.

14 And then looking round, she saw Jesus there, but had no idea that it was Jesus.

15 Jesus said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? who are you looking for? She, taking him for the gardener, said to him, Sir, if you have taken him away from here, say where you have put him and I will take him away.

16 Jesus said to her, Mary! Turning, she said to him in Hebrew, Rabboni! (which is to say, Master).

17 Jesus said to her, Do not put your hand on me, for I have not gone up to the Father: but go to my brothers and say to them, I go up to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.

18 Mary Magdalene went with the news to the disciples, and said she had seen the Lord and that he had said these things to her.

19 At evening on that day, the first day of the week, when, for fear of the Jews, the doors were shut where the disciples were, Jesus came among them and said to them, May peace be with you!

20 And when he had said this, he let them see his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

21 And Jesus said to them again, May peace be with you! As the Father sent me, even so I now send you.

22 And when he had said this, breathing on them, he said to them, Let the Holy Spirit come on you:

23 Any to whom you give forgiveness, will be made free from their sins; and any from whom you keep back forgiveness, will still be in their sins.

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, named Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

25 So the other disciples said to him, We have seen the Lord. But he said to them, If I do not see in his hands the print of the nails and put my finger into the print of the nails, and if I do not put my hand into his side, I will never have belief.

26 And after eight days, his disciples were again in the house and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were shut, Jesus came, and taking his place in the middle of them, he said, May peace be with you!

27 Then he said to Thomas, Put out your finger, and see my hands; and put your hand here into my side: and be no longer in doubt but have belief.

28 And Thomas said in answer, My Lord and my God!

29 Jesus said to him, Because you have seen me you have belief: a blessing will be on those who have belief though they have not seen me!

30 A number of other signs Jesus did before his disciples which are not recorded in this book:

31 But these are recorded, so that you may have faith that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and so that, having this faith you may have life in his name.

Commentary on John 20 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


CHAPTER 20

Joh 20:1-18. Mary's Visit to the Sepulchre, and Return to It with Peter and JohnHer Risen Lord Appears to Her.

1, 2. The first day … cometh Mary Magdalene early, &c.—(See on Mr 16:1-4; and Mt 28:1, 2).

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—Dear disciple! thy dead Lord is to thee "the Lord" still.

3-10. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came first to the sepulchre—These particulars have a singular air of artless truth about them. Mary, in her grief, runs to the two apostles who were soon to be so closely associated in proclaiming the Saviour's resurrection, and they, followed by Mary, hasten to see with their own eyes. The younger disciple outruns the older; love haply supplying swifter wings. He stoops, he gazes in, but enters not the open sepulchre, held back probably by a reverential fear. The bolder Peter, coming up, goes in at once, and is rewarded with bright evidence of what had happened.

6-7. seeth the linen clothes lie—lying.

And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes—not loosely, as if hastily thrown down, and indicative of a hurried and disorderly removal.

but wrapped—folded.

together in a place by itself—showing with what grand tranquillity "the Living One" had walked forth from "the dead" (Lu 24:5). "Doubtless the two attendant angels (Joh 20:12) did this service for the Rising One, the one disposing of the linen clothes, the other of the napkin" [Bengel].

8. Then went in … that other disciple which came first to the sepulchre—The repetition of this, in connection with his not having gone in till after Peter, seems to show that at the moment of penning these words the advantage which each of these loving disciples had of the other was present to his mind.

and he saw and believed—Probably he means, though he does not say, that he believed in his Lord's resurrection more immediately and certainly than Peter.

9. For as yet they knew—that is, understood.

not the scripture that he must rise again from the dead—In other words, they believed in His resurrection at first, not because they were prepared by Scripture to expect it; but facts carried resistless conviction of it in the first instance to their minds, and furnished a key to the Scripture predictions of it.

11-15. But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping, &c.—Brief was the stay of those two men. But Mary, arriving perhaps by another direction after they left, lingers at the spot, weeping for her missing Lord. As she gazes through her tears on the open tomb, she also ventures to stoop down and look into it, when lo! "two angels in white" (as from the world of light, and see on Mt 28:3) appear to her in a "sitting" posture, "as having finished some business, and awaiting some one to impart tidings to" [Bengel].

12. one at the head, and the other at the feet where the body of Jesus had lain—not merely proclaiming silently the entire charge they had had of the body, of Christ [quoted in Luthardt], but rather, possibly, calling mute attention to the narrow space within which the Lord of glory had contracted Himself; as if they would say, Come, see within what limits, marked off by the interval here between us two, the Lord lay! But she is in tears, and these suit not the scene of so glorious an Exit. They are going to point out to her the incongruity.

13. Woman, why weepest thou?—You would think the vision too much for a lone woman. But absorbed in the one Object of her affection and pursuit, she speaks out her grief without fear.

Because, &c.—that is, Can I choose but weep, when "they have taken away," &c., repeating her very words to Peter and John. On this she turned herself and saw Jesus Himself standing beside her, but took Him for the gardener. Clad therefore in some such style He must have been. But if any ask, as too curious interpreters do, whence He got those habiliments, we answer [with Olshausen and Luthardt] where the two angels got theirs. Nor did the voice of His first words disclose Him to Mary—"Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?" He will try her ere he tell her. She answers not the stranger's question, but comes straight to her point with him.

15. Sir, if thou have borne him hence—borne whom? She says not. She can think only of One, and thinks others must understand her. It reminds one of the question of the Spouse, "Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?" (So 3:3).

tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away—Wilt thou, dear fragile woman? But it is the language of sublime affection, that thinks itself fit for anything if once in possession of its Object. It is enough. Like Joseph, He can no longer restrain Himself (Ge 45:1).

16, 17. Jesus saith unto her, Mary—It is not now the distant, though respectful, "Woman." It is the oft-repeated name, uttered, no doubt, with all the wonted manner, and bringing a rush of unutterable and overpowering associations with it.

She turned herself, and saith to him, Rabboni!—But that single word of transported recognition was not enough for woman's full heart. Not knowing the change which had passed upon Him, she hastens to express by her action what words failed to clothe; but she is checked.

17. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended to my Father—Old familiarities must now give place to new and more awful yet sweeter approaches; but for these the time has not come yet. This seems the spirit, at least, of these mysterious words, on which much difference of opinion has obtained, and not much that is satisfactory said.

but go to my brethren—(Compare Mt 28:10; Heb 2:11, 17). That He had still our Humanity, and therefore "is not ashamed to call us brethren," is indeed grandly evidenced by these words. But it is worthy of most reverential notice, that we nowhere read of anyone who presumed to call Him Brother. "My brethren: Blessed Jesus, who are these? Were they not Thy followers? yea, Thy forsakers? How dost Thou raise these titles with Thyself! At first they were Thy servants; then disciples; a little before Thy death, they were Thy friends; now, after Thy resurrection, they were Thy brethren. But oh, mercy without measure! how wilt Thou, how canst Thou call them brethren whom, in Thy last parting, Thou foundest fugitives? Did they not run from Thee? Did not one of them rather leave his inmost coat behind him than not be quit of Thee? And yet Thou sayest, 'Go, tell My brethren! It is not in the power of the sins of our infirmity to unbrother us'" [Bishop Hall].

I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God—words of incomparable glory! Jesus had called God habitually His Father, and on one occasion, in His darkest moment, His God. But both are here united, expressing that full-orbed relationship which embraces in its vast sweep at once Himself and His redeemed. Yet, note well, He says not, Our Father and our God. All the deepest of the Church fathers were wont to call attention to this, as expressly designed to distinguish between what God is to Him and to us—His Father essentially, ours not so: our God essentially, His not so: His God only in connection with us: our God only in connection with Him.

18. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her—To a woman was this honor given to be the first that saw the risen R edeemer, and that woman was not His mother. (See on Mr 16:9).

Joh 20:19-23. Jesus Appears to the Assembled Disciples.

19-23. the same day at evening, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus—plainly not by the ordinary way of entrance.

and saith unto them Peace be unto you—not the mere wish that even His own exalted peace might be theirs (Joh 14:27), but conveying it into their hearts, even as He "opened their understandings to understand the scriptures" (Lu 24:45).

20. And when he had so said, he showed them his hands and his side—not only as ocular and tangible evidence of the reality of His resurrection (See on Lu 24:37-43), but as through "the power of that resurrection" dispensing all His peace to men.

Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord.

21. Then said Jesus—prepared now to listen to Him in a new character.

Peace be unto you. As my Father hath sent me, so send I you—(See on Joh 17:18).

22. he breathed on them—a symbolical conveyance to them of the Spirit.

and saith, Receive ye the Holy Ghost—an earnest and first-fruits of the more copious Pentecostal effusion.

23. Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them, &c.—In any literal and authoritative sense this power was never exercised by one of the apostles, and plainly was never understood by themselves as possessed by them or conveyed to them. (See on Mt 16:19). The power to intrude upon the relation between men and God cannot have been given by Christ to His ministers in any but a ministerial or declarative sense—as the authorized interpreters of His word, while in the actings of His ministers, the real nature of the power committed to them is seen in the exercise of church discipline.

Joh 20:24-29. Jesus Again Appears to the Assembled Disciples.

24, 25. But Thomas—(See on Joh 11:16).

was not with them when Jesus came—why, we know not, though we are loath to think (with Stier, Alford and Luthardt) it was intentional, from sullen despondency. The fact merely is here stated, as a loving apology for his slowness of belief.

25. We have seen the Lord—This way of speaking of Jesus (as Joh 20:20 and Joh 21:7), so suited to His resurrection-state, was soon to become the prevailing style.

Except I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my linger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe—The very form of this speech betokens the strength of the unbelief. "It is not, If I shall see I shall believe, but, Unless I shall see I will not believe; nor does he expect to see, although the others tell him they had" [Bengel]. How Christ Himself viewed this state of mind, we know from Mr 16:14, "He upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart because they believed not them which had seen Him after He was risen." But whence sprang this pertinacity of resistance in such minds? Not certainly from reluctance to believe, but as in Nathanael (see on Joh 1:46) from mere dread of mistake in so vital a matter.

26-29. And after eight days—that is, on the eighth, or first day of the preceding week. They probably met every day during the preceding week, but their Lord designedly reserved His second appearance among them till the recurrence of His resurrection day, that He might thus inaugurate the delightful sanctities of THE Lord's Day (Re 1:10).

disciples were within, and Thomas with them … Jesus … stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

27. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither … behold … put it into my side, and be not faithless, but believing—"There is something rhythmical in these words, and they are purposely couched in the words of Thomas himself, to put him to shame" [Luthardt]. But wish what condescension and gentleness is this done!

28. Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God—That Thomas did not do what Jesus invited him to do, and what he had made the condition of his believing, seems plain from Joh 20:29 ("Because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed"). He is overpowered, and the glory of Christ now breaks upon him in a flood. His exclamation surpasses all that had been yet uttered, nor can it be surpassed by anything that ever will be uttered in earth or heaven. On the striking parallel in Nathanael, see on Joh 1:49. The Socinian invasion of the supreme divinity of Christ here manifestly taught—as if it were a mere call upon God in a fit of astonishment—is beneath notice, save for the profanity it charges upon this disciple, and the straits to which it shows themselves reduced.

29. because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed—words of measured commendation, but of indirect and doubtless painfully—felt rebuke: that is, 'Thou hast indeed believed; it is well: it is only on the evidence of thy senses, and after peremptorily refusing all evidence short of that.'

blessed they that have not seen, and yet have believed—"Wonderful indeed and rich in blessing for us who have not seen Him, is this closing word of the Gospel" [Alford].

Joh 20:30, 31. First Close of This Gospel.

The connection of these verses with the last words of Joh 20:29 is beautiful: that is, And indeed, as the Lord pronounced them blessed who not having seen Him have yet believed, so for that one end have the whole contents of this Gospel been recorded, that all who read it may believe on Him, and believing, have life in that blessed name.

30. many other signs—miracles.

31. But these are written—as sufficient specimens.

the Christ, the Son of God—the one His official, the other His personal, title.

believing … may have life—(See on Joh 6:51-54).