For an account of the resurrection of Christ, see the notes at Matthew 28. John 20:9 THE SCRIPTURE - See Luke 24:26, Luke 24:46. The sense or meaning of the various predictions that foretold his death, as, for example, Psalms 2:7, compare Acts 13:33; Psalms 16:9, compare... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY HAVE TAKEN AWAY - That is the disciples or friends of Jesus who had laid him there. Perhaps it was understood that the body was deposited there only to remain over the Sabbath, with an intention then of removing it to some other place of burial. Hence, they hastened early in the morning to make... [ Continue Reading ]
KNEW NOT THAT IT WAS JESUS - She was not expecting to see him. It was yet also twilight, and she could not see distinctly.... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS SAITH UNTO HER, MARY - This was spoken, doubtless, in a tone of voice that at once recalled him to her recollection. RABBONI - This is a Hebrew word denoting, literally, my great master. If was one of the titles given to Jewish teachers. This title was given under three forms: * Rab, or mas... [ Continue Reading ]
TOUCH ME NOT ... - This passage has given rise to a variety of interpretations. Jesus required Thomas to touch him John 20:27, and it has been difficult to ascertain why he forbade this now to Mary. The reason why he directed Thomas to do this was, that he doubted whether he had been restored to lif... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SAME DAY AT EVENING - On the first day of the week, the day of the resurrection of Christ. WHEN THE DOORS WERE SHUT - This does not mean that the doors were fastened, though that might have been the case, but only that they were closed. Jesus had been taken from them, and it was natural that the... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHOWED UNTO THEM HIS HANDS ... - In this manner he gave them indubitable proofs of his identity. He showed them that he was the same Being who had suffered; that he had truly risen from the dead, and had come forth with the same body. That body had not yet put on its glorified form. It was necess... [ Continue Reading ]
AS MY FATHER HATH SENT ME - As God sent me to preach, to be persecuted, and to suffer; to make known his will, and to offer pardon to men, so I send you. This is the design and the extent of the commission of the ministers of the Lord Jesus. He is their model; and they will be successful only as the... [ Continue Reading ]
HE BREATHED ON THEM - It was customary for the prophets to use some significant act to represent the nature of their message. See Jeremiah 13; Jeremiah 18, etc. In this case the act of breathing was used to represent the nature of the influence that would come upon them, and the source of that influ... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSE SOEVER SINS ... - See the notes at Matthew 16:19; Matthew 18:18. It is worthy of remark here that Jesus confers the same power on all the apostles. He gives to no one of them any special authority. If Peter, as the Papists pretend, had been appointed to any special authority, it is wonderful t... [ Continue Reading ]
EXCEPT I SHALL SEE ... - It is not known what was the ground of the incredulity of Thomas. It is probable, however, that it was, in part, at least, the effect of deep grief, and of that despondency which fills the mind when a long-cherished hope is taken away. In such a case it requires proof of unc... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AFTER EIGHT DAYS AGAIN - That is, on the return of the first day of the week. From this it appears that they thus early set apart this day for assembling together, and Jesus countenanced it by appearing twice with them. It was natural that the apostles should observe this day, but not probable t... [ Continue Reading ]
MY LORD AND MY GOD - In this passage the name God is expressly given to Christ, in his own presence and by one of his own apostles. This declaration has been considered as a clear proof of the divinity of Christ, for the following reasons: 1. There is no evidence that this was a mere expression, as... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE THOU HAST SEEN ME - Because you have looked upon my body, and seen the proofs that I am the same Saviour that was crucified. Jesus here approves the faith of Thomas, but more highly commends the faith of those who should believe without having seen. BLESSED - Happy, or worthy of the divine... [ Continue Reading ]
OTHER SIGNS - Other miracles. Many were recorded by the other evangelists, and many which he performed were never recorded, John 21:25.... [ Continue Reading ]
THESE ARE WRITTEN - Those recorded in this gospel. THAT YE MIGHT BELIEVE ... - This is a clue to the design which John had in view in writing this gospel. The whole scope or end of the book is to accomplish two objects: * To prove that Jesus was the Messiah; and, * That they who looked at the p... [ Continue Reading ]