John 20:1-29

FIFTH PART: 20:1-29. THE RESURRECTION.

The fourth part of the Gospel has shown us the Jewish people carrying unbelief with reference to Jesus even to complete apostasy, and consummating this spiritual crime by the crucifixion of the Messiah. In the fifth we see the fidelity of the disciples raised to complete faith by the supreme earthly manifestation of the glory of Jesus His resurrection.

The narrative of John pursues its independent path through the somewhat divergent narratives of the Synoptics, and, without any effort, gives us a glimpse of their harmony. In a first section (John 20:1-18), the evangelist relates how, in consequence of the report of Mary Magdalene, the two principal apostles attained to faith in the resurrection, and describes the first appearance of Jesus. The second section, John 20:19-23, relates His appearance in the midst of the Twelve, by means of which He established faith in the apostolic company. The third (John 20:24-29) describes the finishing of this work, which remained unfinished after the preceding appearance.