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ScriptureDepth's study of John 20

Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.”

John 20:29

Jesus says this to Thomas after revealing his wounds, settling the contrast between belief through sight and that of those who believe without seeing.

What John 20 is about

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb while it is still dark and finds the stone removed (vv. 1-2). She runs to tell Simon Peter and the other disciple. Peter and the other disciple run to the tomb together. The other disciple arrives first but does not enter until Peter goes in and sees the linen cloths lying there (vv. 3-10). Mary remains outside the tomb weeping. She sees two angels who ask her why she is weeping. When she turns around, she sees Jesus but does not recognize him until he calls her name (vv. 11-18). Later, Jesus appears to the assembled disciples, shows them his hands and side, and breathes the Holy Spirit on them (vv. 19-23). Thomas, absent during Jesus' first appearance, doubts but later encounters Jesus, who encourages him to believe (vv. 24-29). John notes that these signs are written so that readers may believe in Jesus and have life in his name (vv. 30-31).

Jesus states that those who have not seen and yet have believed are blessed.

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John 20 at a glance

  1. John 20:1–2Mary's Discovery of the Empty Tomb
  2. John 20:3–10Peter and John's Visit to the Tomb
  3. John 20:11–18Mary Encounters the Risen Jesus
  4. John 20:19–23Jesus Appears to the Disciples
  5. John 20:24–29Thomas's Doubt and Belief
  6. John 20:30–31Purpose of John's Gospel

Key verse: John 20:29

One thing to notice

Jesus appears to his disciples on the same day in verses 19 and 26, which is the first day of the week. The phrase 'Peace be to you' is spoken twice to assure the disciples.

Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.

Chapter text

Read John 20 (WEB)

Mary's Discovery of the Empty Tomb John 20:1–2

Verse 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. Verse 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!”

Peter and John's Visit to the Tomb John 20:3–10

Verse 3. Therefore Peter and the other disciple went out, and they went toward the tomb. Verse 4. They both ran together. The other disciple outran Peter, and came to the tomb first. Verse 5. Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying, yet he didn’t enter in. Verse 6. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and entered into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying, Verse 7. and the cloth that had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. Verse 8. So then the other disciple who came first to the tomb also entered in, and he saw and believed.

Verse 9. For as yet they didn’t know the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Verse 10. So the disciples went away again to their own homes.

Mary Encounters the Risen Jesus John 20:11–18

Verse 11. But Mary was standing outside at the tomb weeping. So, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb, Verse 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. Verse 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.” Verse 14. When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, and didn’t know that it was Jesus. Verse 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.”

Verse 16. Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him, “Rabboni!” which is to say, “Teacher!” Verse 17. Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold 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.’” Verse 18. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her.

Jesus Appears to the Disciples John 20:19–23

Verse 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 middle, and said to them,“Peace be to you.”Verse 20. When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad when they saw the Lord.Verse 21. Jesus therefore said to them again,“Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.”Verse 22. When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them,“Receive the Holy Spirit!Verse 23. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they have been forgiven them. If you retain anyone’s sins, they have been retained.”

Thomas's Doubt and Belief John 20:24–29

Verse 24. But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, wasn’t with them when Jesus came.Verse 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, put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”Verse 26. After eight days again his disciples were inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being locked, and stood in the middle, and said,“Peace be to you.”Verse 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.”Verse 28. Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”Verse 29. Jesus said to him,“Because you have seen me,you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.”

Purpose of John's Gospel John 20:30–31

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

World English Bible (public domain)

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Main themes in John 20

Resurrection

The resurrection of Jesus is central to this chapter, starting with Mary Magdalene finding the empty tomb in vv. 1-2. She encounters angels who inquire about her tears in vv. 12-13, indicating the significance of the event. Later, Jesus appears to Mary in v. 16, affirming his resurrection by directly addressing her. The chapter culminates with Jesus presenting himself to the disciples and revealing the reality of his risen state.

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Faith and Doubt

Doubt surfaces in Thomas's response in verses 24-29. When the other disciples share their experience of the risen Jesus, Thomas demands tangible evidence, saying, 'Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails' in verse 25. Jesus later appears and invites Thomas to examine his wounds, prompting Thomas's declaration, 'My Lord and my God!' in verse 28, marking a transition from skepticism to belief.

Commissioning of Believers

Jesus commissions his disciples in vv. 21-23 after showing them his wounds and greeting them with peace. He sends them with the same mission as the Father sent him, saying, 'As the Father has sent me, even so I send you' in v. 21. Additionally, he breathes on them and confers the Holy Spirit, equipping them for the ministry ahead, showcasing the continuation of his work through them.

The Role of Women in the Church

Mary Magdalene plays a pivotal role in this chapter, especially in vv. 11-18, where she becomes the first to witness the resurrected Jesus. In v. 17, Jesus instructs her to tell the disciples about his ascension, affirming her as a messenger. This interaction highlights her importance in the early community of believers, marking a significant acknowledgment of women's roles in sharing the gospel.

Chapter outline

How John 20 unfolds

  1. John 20:1–2 Mary's Discovery of the Empty Tomb

    Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb early on the first day of the week and discovers the stone rolled away (vv. 1-2). She informs Simon Peter and the other disciple about Jesus' missing body.

  2. John 20:3–10 Peter and John's Visit to the Tomb

    Peter and the other disciple run to the tomb, with the other disciple arriving first (vv. 3-4). They observe the linen cloths but do not fully understand the implications of the empty tomb (vv. 8-10).

  3. John 20:11–18 Mary Encounters the Risen Jesus

    Mary remains at the tomb, weeping, and encounters two angels who ask her why she is distressed (vv. 11-13). She then meets Jesus but initially does not recognize him until he calls her by name (vv. 14-16).

  4. John 20:19–23 Jesus Appears to the Disciples

    Jesus appears to the disciples in a locked room, greeting them with 'Peace be to you' (v. 19). He shows them his wounds and breathes on them, commissioning them and bestowing the Holy Spirit (vv. 21-22).

  5. John 20:24–29 Thomas's Doubt and Belief

    Thomas, who is absent when Jesus first appears, refuses to believe the disciples' claim 'We have seen the Lord' (v. 25). After a week, Jesus appears again, invites Thomas to touch his wounds, leading Thomas to exclaim, 'My Lord and my God!' (v. 28).

  6. John 20:30–31 Purpose of John's Gospel

    The text notes that Jesus performed many other signs not recorded in this Gospel (v. 30). The written accounts aim to foster belief in Jesus as the Christ, providing life through faith in his name (v. 31).

Key verses

  • John 20:29Jesus says this to Thomas after revealing his wounds, settling the contrast between belief through sight and that of those who believe without seeing.

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Study questions

Questions for studying John 20

Uses your daily Ask questions.

  1. observeIn v6, what do we see Simon Peter find in the tomb?
  2. observeWhat does Mary Magdalene say in v13 that shows her distress?
  3. interpretIn v9, why do the disciples not yet understand the Scripture about Jesus' resurrection?
  4. interpretIn v24, what does Thomas express about needing proof before he believes?
  5. applyWhen have you felt doubt about something important, like Thomas in v25?

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John 20: frequently asked questions

What is John 20 about?+
On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb while it is still dark and finds the stone removed (vv. 1-2).
What is the key verse in John 20?+
John 20:29: “Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.”
What are the main themes of John 20?+
The main themes of John 20 are Resurrection, Faith and Doubt, Commissioning of Believers, The Role of Women in the Church.

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