The Gospel Of John Chapter 20 Pt. 1 Resurrection Day Filled With Uncertainty & Faith

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The first day of the week brings fear and faith.

John 20:1  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. 

John used the phrase "The first day of the week" to begin an important section of his gospel. This phrase refers to Sunday morning, the morning after the Jewish Sabbath day. 

Jesus had been buried somewhat hastily, because the Sabbath day was fast approaching. 

Several women brought additional spices to embalm Jesus' body in a more complete manner, than what was done by Joseph and Nicodemus (See Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1). 

Luke 23:55-56  And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. 56)  And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment. 

Luke tells us how the women from Galilee followed the men who buried Jesus. They took note of where and how His body was laid. 

Then, they went home and prepared spices and ointments that were used in Jewish burials. Luke wants us to know that these women honored the sabbath day by resting as God commanded.

Mark's gospel tells us that these 3 women were followers of Jesus and had ministered to Him. They observed the crucifixion of Christ and took notice of the tomb where Jesus' body was laid (See Mark 15:40-41; 47)). 

John's gospel mentions Mary of Magdala, but the other evangelists tell us that 3 women went together to the tomb. Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James, and Salome  (See Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1).

I want to share a good commentary with you, because it is very helpful when reading all 4 accounts of this event. 

This quote is from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge commentary.

"Mary Magdalene and Peter, were evidently at the sepulcher twice on that morning of the resurrection. 

The first time of her going was a short time before her companions, the other Mary and Salome (See Matthew 28:1). After observing that the stone had been removed, she returned to inform Peter and John. 

In the meantime, the other Mary and Salome came to the sepulcher, and saw the angel, as recorded by Matthew and Mark. 

While these women returned to the city, Peter and John went to the sepulcher, passing them at a distance, followed by Mary Magdalene, who stayed after their return. 

This was her second journey, when she saw two angels, and then Jesus himself, as recorded. Immediately after this, Jesus appeared to the other women as they returned to the city (See Matthew 28:9-10). 

In the meantime, Joanna and her company arrived at the sepulcher, when two angels appeared to them, and addressed them as the other angel had done the other women (See Luke24:1-10). 

They immediately returned to the city, and  found the apostles before the others arrived. 

They informed them of what they had seen, causing Peter to go a second time to the sepulcher, when he saw only the linen clothes lying (See Luke 24:12; Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-2, 16:9; Luke 24:1-10)."

Shaken by an empty tomb, running to tell the disciples. 

John 20:2-4  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.

"Then she runneth" This act was after the Mary had seen the angels, who said he was risen from the dead, (See Luke 24:4). 

She told both Peter and John, and the other apostles also, (See Matthew 28:8). However, only Peter and John went to the tomb at this time, to see whether what she had said was true.

She cried out that "They have taken away the Lord."  Mary did not mention to Peter or John what the angels said to her. She was filled with a panicked urgency and confusion clouding her thinking.

Certainly, Mary's mind was bewildered and filled with astonishment by all these things.

When Mary Magdalene saw that the stone sealing Jesus' tomb was rolled away, she ran to find Peter. She exclaimed that someone had removed Jesus' body and she did not know where it was. 

This was important to her because she was prepared to properly anoint His body for burial.

Peter and John (that other disciple, as he calls himself), both ran to the tomb. John ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first. 

John and Peter see the empty tomb with different results.

John 20:5-8  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. 

John stooped down and looked into the empty tomb. He saw the linen clothing lying on the shelf where Christ's body was laid, but he did not enter the tomb.

Peter finally caught up to John and he entered the sepulcher. Peter also saw the garments that Jesus was wrapped in. 

John tells us that Jesus' head covering was still wrapped, but in a place separate from the linen wrappings. This implies an orderly process when Jesus rose from the dead. 

It is possible that one angel removed Christ's head covering and the other, removed the linen wrappings, honoring the risen Lord. 

Remember that John specifically recorded his gospel as the Holy Spirit guided him, so that those who read it might believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. 

When John looked into the tomb and saw the burial wrappings, but not the body of Jesus Christ, he believed. 

The word translated "lying" describes something in a state of quiet repose. The garments of Jesus were not hastily strewn about by someone removing His body. 

In like manner, the head covering of Jesus was wrapped together, and set apart. These are indicators of an honorable orderliness associated with Jesus' resurrection. 

John believed. Perhaps as he saw the empty tomb, he remembered Jesus raising Lazarus from the grave after he had been buried 4 days (John 11). 

John believed even though he did not specifically know the scriptures that addressed Jesus rising from the dead. He saw enough and remembered enough of Jesus' teachings, that he believed.

Connection of the Old Testament scriptures with Christ's resurrection. 

John 20:9-10  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. 

This section ends with Peter and John returning to their own homes. Neither disciple had connected Christ's resurrection with the many scriptures that foretold it (See Psalm 16:9-10; Isaiah 53:9-12).

They did not yet know the specific scriptures and their application to Jesus Christ. 

Yet, the Holy Spirit guided John to record a note of hope for us. John believed and this is what each sinner must do. Repent of their sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

The beginning of John's record of Jesus' resurrection is filled with confusion, turmoil and panic in the minds of the 3 women who came to the grave.

The minds of Peter and John were filled with uncertainty over these events. 

Yet, John believed and this is the whole purpose of his gospel. That those of us reading it today, might believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved!

I pray that the Spirit of God will open our minds as we read the Old Testament, so that we might see and rejoice in the many connections they have with the birth, life, ministry, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

Bob