Resurrection on the first day and new creation
The first day resurrection signals the dawn of new creation through the risen Christ.
John 20
The Risen Lord: Empty Tomb, Eyewitness Faith, Peace, Mission, Spirit, Thomas, and the Purpose of the Gospel
Mary discovers the opened tomb, Peter and the beloved disciple inspect the grave cloths, Mary encounters the risen Jesus, Jesus appears to the fearful disciples with peace and mission, Thomas moves from unbelief to worshipful confession, and John declares that the Gospel was written so readers may believe and have life in Jesus’ name.
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) , Public Domain · Translation notes · Reference sources
- I. The Stone Removed 20:1-2
Mary Magdalene arrives at the tomb early on the first day of the week and reports that the Lord’s body appears to have been taken.
- II. The Empty Tomb and the Grave Cloths 20:3-7
Peter and the beloved disciple run to the tomb and see the linen cloths and the folded head cloth.
- III. Seeing, Believing, and Not Yet Understanding Scripture 20:8-10
The beloved disciple sees and believes, while John notes that the disciples still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise.
- IV. Mary’s Tears and the Angels 20:11-13
Mary weeps outside the tomb and sees two angels where Jesus’ body had lain.
- V. The Shepherd Calls Mary by Name 20:14-16
Mary does not recognize Jesus until he calls her by name, and she responds, 'Rabboni.'
- VI. Sent to the Brothers 20:17-18
Jesus sends Mary to announce his ascension to his Father and their Father, and Mary testifies that she has seen the Lord.
- VII. Peace to the Fearful Disciples 20:19-20
Jesus enters the locked room, speaks peace, shows his hands and side, and the disciples rejoice.
- VIII. As the Father Sent Me, I Am Sending You 20:21-23
Jesus commissions the disciples, breathes on them, gives the Holy Spirit, and speaks of forgiveness and retention of sins.
- IX. Thomas’s Refusal 20:24-25
Thomas refuses the disciples’ testimony unless he sees and touches Jesus’ wounds.
- X. Thomas’s Confession 20:26-29
Jesus appears again, invites Thomas to examine his wounds, calls him to belief, and Thomas confesses Jesus as Lord and God.
- XI. The Written Signs and Life in His Name 20:30-31
John states that the Gospel’s signs are written so readers may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and have life in his name.
Biblical Theology
How This Chapter Fits
Theological Argument
John 20 argues that the resurrection of Jesus is historical, bodily, revelatory, missional, and faith-producing. The empty tomb and orderly grave cloths show that Jesus’ body has not simply been stolen. The beloved disciple sees and believes, though the disciples’ full understanding from Scripture is still unfolding. Mary’s encounter reveals that the risen Jesus is personally known by his sheep, calling them by name. His resurrection changes the disciples’ relationship to God: he speaks of 'my Father and your Father, my God and your God,' signaling the new family standing secured through his death and resurrection...
From darkness to empty tomb, from empty tomb to partial belief, from tears to recognition, from recognition to announcement, from fear to peace, from peace to mission, from doubt to confession, and from eyewitness signs to written testimony for life-giving faith.
- Mary comes to the tomb while it is still dark, placing the resurrection discovery in a setting of grief, uncertainty, and dawning light.
- The stone has been removed, indicating that the tomb has been opened, though Mary initially interprets this as removal of the body.
- Mary runs to Peter and the beloved disciple, showing urgency and confusion.
- Peter and the beloved disciple run to the tomb to investigate Mary’s report.
- The beloved disciple sees the linen cloths but waits outside, while Peter enters and examines the evidence.
- The linen cloths and separate head cloth indicate order rather than grave robbery.
Christological Focus
John 20 reveals Jesus as the crucified and risen Lord, the good shepherd who calls his sheep by name, the ascended Son who brings his people into relationship with his Father, the peace-giving Lord, the sender of his disciples, the giver of the Spirit, the one whose wounds remain the identity marks of saving victory, the Lord and God confessed by Thomas, the Messiah and Son of God written about so that readers may believe and have life in his name.
John 20 argues that the resurrection of Jesus is historical, bodily, revelatory, missional, and faith-producing. The empty tomb and orderly grave cloths show that Jesus’ body has not simply been stolen. The beloved disciple sees and believes, though the disciples’ full understanding from Scripture is still unfolding. Mary’s encounter reveals that the risen Jesus is personally known by his sheep, calling them by name...
Covenant Significance
John 20 reveals the new covenant people as those gathered around the crucified and risen Jesus, reconciled to the Father through him, commissioned in his peace, empowered by the Spirit, and sent with the message of forgiveness. The resurrection is the decisive vindication of Jesus’ identity and the beginning of new creation. The garden tomb, first day of the week, breath of Jesus, and gift of the Spirit all signal new-creation life...
- The first day of the week signals resurrection dawn and new creation.
- The empty tomb confirms that Jesus’ death has been overcome bodily.
- The linen cloths indicate ordered resurrection rather than theft or confusion.
- The beloved disciple’s faith begins at the empty tomb but must be deepened by Scripture.
- Mary’s recognition by name shows the Shepherd gathering his own after death.
Formation
Theological Burden The reader must see that the crucified Jesus is bodily risen, personally revealed, divinely confessed, and missionally commissioning his Spirit-enabled witnesses.
Pastoral Burden The chapter presses believers away from fear, grief without hope, unbelief, and missionless hiding, and toward resurrection faith, peace, joy, Spirit-dependence, bold witness, and personal confession of Jesus as Lord and God.
Character Aim A resurrection-formed people who believe the apostolic witness, rejoice in the wounded risen Lord, receive his peace, live by the Spirit, proclaim forgiveness, and confess Jesus as Lord and God.
- Read John 20 and mark references to seeing, believing, Lord, peace, sent, Spirit, forgive, wounds, and life.
- Use John 20:1-10 to teach the empty tomb, grave cloths, and faith seeking scriptural understanding.
- Use John 20:11-18 to show Jesus personally calling his sheep and sending Mary as a witness.
- Use John 20:19-20 to preach peace grounded in the wounds of the risen Lord.
- Use John 20:21-23 to teach the church’s mission as sent by Christ, Spirit-dependent, and forgiveness-centered.
Canonical Connections
The Holy One not abandoned to death
The resurrection fulfills the biblical hope that God would not abandon his Holy One to decay.
The Shepherd calls his own by name
Mary recognizes Jesus by his voice, fulfilling the good shepherd theme.
Sorrow turned to joy
The disciples’ sorrow at Jesus’ death becomes joy when they see the risen Lord.
Peace through the crucified and risen Christ
Jesus gives peace to fearful disciples after showing his wounds.
I. The Stone Removed
Mary Magdalene arrives at the tomb early on the first day of the week and reports that the Lord’s body appears to have been taken.
John 20:1–18
Resurrection turns grief into faith and mission.
Biblical Theology
The passage announces the resurrection of the crucified and buried Son as the dawn of new-creation life. The first day, garden setting, empty tomb, and personal naming of Mary gather John’s themes of life, light, witness, love, and belief. Jesus is not merely absent from death; He is alive, speaking, revealing, and sending...
Theological Movement
Mary comes in the dark, finds the stone removed, reports to Peter and the beloved disciple — they run, the beloved disciple believes. Mary stays, weeping, and encounters the risen Jesus — first as a gardener, then named: 'Mary...
Typological Role Antitype
The empty tomb on the first day of the week signals new creation: Genesis 1:1-5 begins with the first day and the Spirit hovering over formless darkness; John's resurrection account begins at dawn on the first day, with the stone removed from the dark tomb...
Fulfillment: Genesis 1:1-5; Genesis 2:8-15; Isaiah 25:8; Song of Songs 3:1-4
Canonical Links
Psalm 16:10-11 Fulfillment Anticipation
The empty tomb displays the resurrection hope that God would not abandon his holy one to decay but would show the path of life.
Isaiah 25:8 Fulfillment Anticipation
Mary's grief gives way to resurrection witness because Jesus has begun the promised defeat of death and the wiping away of tears.
Isaiah 26:19 Fulfillment Anticipation
The empty tomb embodies the prophetic hope that God's dead would live and rise by his life-giving power.
1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.
2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,” she said, “and we do not know where they have put Him!”
II. The Empty Tomb and the Grave Cloths
Peter and the beloved disciple run to the tomb and see the linen cloths and the folded head cloth.
3 Then Peter and the other disciple set out for the tomb.
4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
5 He bent down and looked in at the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.
6 Simon Peter arrived just after him. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there.
7 The cloth that had been around Jesus’ head was rolled up, lying separate from the linen cloths.
III. Seeing, Believing, and Not Yet Understanding Scripture
The beloved disciple sees and believes, while John notes that the disciples still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise.
8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in. And he saw and believed.
9 For they still did not understand from the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.
10 Then the disciples returned to their homes.
IV. Mary’s Tears and the Angels
Mary weeps outside the tomb and sees two angels where Jesus’ body had lain.
11 But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent down 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 the other at the feet.
13 “Woman, why are you weeping?” they asked. “Because they have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I do not know where they have put Him.”
V. The Shepherd Calls Mary by Name
Mary does not recognize Jesus until he calls her by name, and she responds, 'Rabboni.'
14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. But she did not recognize that it was Jesus.
15 “Woman, why are you weeping?” Jesus asked. “Whom are you seeking?” Thinking He was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried Him off, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
VI. Sent to the Brothers
Jesus sends Mary to announce his ascension to his Father and their Father, and Mary testifies that she has seen the Lord.
17 “Do not cling to Me,” Jesus said, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and tell My brothers, ‘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 she told them what He had said to her.
VII. Peace to the Fearful Disciples
Jesus enters the locked room, speaks peace, shows his hands and side, and the disciples rejoice.
John 20:19–29
Resurrection peace leads to mission and confession of Christ’s deity.
Biblical Theology
The crucified and risen Son creates the resurrection community by giving peace, showing His wounds, sending His disciples, breathing the Holy Spirit, and calling forth faith. The passage gathers creation-breath imagery, prophetic Spirit hope, apostolic mission, new-covenant forgiveness, and high Christology around the bodily risen Jesus...
Theological Movement
Doors locked for fear of the Jews — Jesus stands among them and offers shalom (the covenant peace of Numbers 6:26) twice. He shows the wounds: the resurrection body bears the marks of the cross. He commissions, breathes the Spirit, and grants apostolic authority to forgive and retain sins...
Typological Role Antitype
The risen Jesus breathing on the disciples and saying 'Receive the Holy Spirit' (v.22) deliberately echoes Genesis 2:7 (God breathing into Adam's nostrils the breath of life) — the new-creation act that constitutes the new covenant community...
Fulfillment: Genesis 2:7; Isaiah 61:1; Psalm 35:23; Ezekiel 37:9-10
Canonical Links
Genesis 2:7 Creation And Image
The risen Jesus breathes on the disciples, marking the new-creation life that answers God breathing life into Adam.
Ezekiel 37:9-14 Spirit Outpouring
Jesus gives the Spirit as life-giving breath, fulfilling the promise that God would put his Spirit in his restored people.
Isaiah 61:1 Promise To Mission
The Spirit-anointed mission of the Servant extends through the risen Jesus as he sends his disciples with peace and authority.
19 It was the first day of the week, and that very evening, while the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you!” He said to them.
20 After He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
VIII. As the Father Sent Me, I Am Sending You
Jesus commissions the disciples, breathes on them, gives the Holy Spirit, and speaks of forgiveness and retention of sins.
21 Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.”
22 When He had said this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
23 If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.”
IX. Thomas’s Refusal
Thomas refuses the disciples’ testimony unless he sees and touches Jesus’ wounds.
24 Now Thomas called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.
25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails have been, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.”
X. Thomas’s Confession
Jesus appears again, invites Thomas to examine his wounds, calls him to belief, and Thomas confesses Jesus as Lord and God.
26 Eight days later, His disciples were once again inside with the doors locked, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
27 Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
XI. The Written Signs and Life in His Name
John states that the Gospel’s signs are written so readers may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and have life in his name.
John 20:30–31
Believing in Jesus as Messiah and Son of God brings eternal life.
Biblical Theology
The written apostolic witness preserves the signs of Jesus so that later readers may recognize the promised Messiah and Son of God and receive life in His name. The passage gathers the Gospel’s major strands: signs disclose glory, witness calls for belief, belief receives life, and life comes only through the name and identity of Jesus...
Theological Movement
John states his editorial principle: many other signs were done not written in this book; these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name...
Typological Role Antitype
John's selected signs function as the climactic witness to the Messiah, answering the OT pattern in which signs authenticated God's sent deliverer and summoned faith...
Fulfillment: Exodus 4:8-9; Psalm 2:7; 2 Samuel 7:14-16
Canonical Links
Psalm 2:7 Messianic Fulfillment
John writes so readers may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, fulfilling the royal sonship promised in the Psalms.
2 Samuel 7:14-16 Messianic Fulfillment
The Gospel's purpose centers on Jesus as the Davidic Son whose kingdom and life-giving name fulfill the covenant promise.
Isaiah 35:5-6 Messianic Fulfillment
The signs written in this Gospel display the promised messianic restoration, calling readers to believe and receive life in Jesus.
30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book.
31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.