Book of John Bible Study: That Ye Might Believe
John 20 The Resurrection: Jesus our Risen Lord
Resurrection Accounts
Mark 16:1 And
when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and
Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
Matthew 28:1 In
the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week,
came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
Luke 24:1-4 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the
morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had
prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away
from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord
Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two
men stood by them in shining garments: …10 It was Mary Magdalene, and
Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them,
which told these things unto the apostles.
The Women at the Tomb
Mary Magdalene was probably so named from the town of Magdala in Galilee,
where she had lived. Joanna was the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward (see Luke
8:3). Mary the mother of James is mentioned by Matthew (27:56) and Mark (15:40
Salome is described as the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee
(Mt 27:56). - Charles F. Pfeiffer and Everett Falconer Harrison, Eds., The
Wycliffe Bible Commentary:
Reconciling the Accounts
The accounts vary with the names of the women, the number of the angels and
the appearances of Jesus. Do the accounts contradict one another?
No, John centers his story on Mary as she was the first to see tell Peter and
John about the empty tomb. The others, along with Mary, saw the empty tomb but
Mary quickly leaves to find John and Peter. The other women stay behind, go
into the tomb and see the angel(s), only one of which speaks and is featured in
Mark and Matthew. They then go back to tell all the apostles the message.
Meanwhile, Mary had found Peter and John and returned
with them to the tomb. After seeing the empty tomb Peter and John leave, but
she stays behind weeping, then looks into the tomb and sees the two angels and
before leaving she sees Jesus, her resurrected Lord.
As the other women are heading back into Jerusalem,
Jesus now appears to them. He confirms
the message of the angels to tell the apostles to go to Galilee and wait for
Him there.
The role of these women is especially significant in
light of the fact that they lived in a male-oriented society. Although only one
of the twelve disciples, John, was at the crucifixion, these women were
present. They were the first people to come to the empty tomb, the first to
learn Jesus was alive, the first to see Him alive, and the first to tell the
good news of His resurrection.
- George W. Knight, A Simplified Harmony of the
Gospels, (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2001), 244.
If the Gospels were faked, then the differences would
have been “fixed.”
The fact that they show differences attest to the
truth of 4 different authors and several different sources.
There are no contradictions, but several different
eyewitness accounts of the same event.
Mary sees Jesus
Mary Magdalene comes with Mary the mother of James and Salome. John doesn’t
mention them but Matthew does. Is this a contradiction?
No, John centers his story on Mary as she was the first to see Jesus. The
others along with Mary saw the empty tomb, she quickly went to find John and
Peter. The other women went into the tomb and saw the angel(s) and then they
went back to tell the apostles the message the angels had given them. Mary
Magdalene found Peter and John first and returned with them to the tomb. After
seeing the empty tomb Peter and John left, but she seemed to stay behind saw
the angels and then the Lord. Shortly after the Lord appeared to the other
women and confirmed the message of the angels to tell the apostles to go to
Galilee and wait for Jesus.
Peter and John at the empty tomb John 20:3-8
In this passage who is “that other disciple?”
Once again it is John, who often referred to himself this way.
The three words for see or saw in these verses are different words in the
Greek.
blepei: Vs. 5 A mere partial
viewing of the burial spot form the entrance to the tomb.
theorei: Vs. 6 beholding
something, looking close, examining it.
eiden: Vs. 8 perceiving to the point of belief.
Does the description of the grave clothes fit the description of the
“Shroud of Turin?”
Not at all. These are in two
pieces wound about the body. The
“Shroud” is one piece folded once and laid from the head down to the
feet.
Vs. 11-18 Why doesn’t Mary
react to the angels or recognize Jesus when he first speaks to her?
Shock and deep grief may have prevented her from seeing what would
be obvious in a normal situation.
What finally causes Mary to recognize Jesus?
When She hears her name from His lips.
Explain why Jesus told Mary, “touch me not?”
The phrase should be understood as “don’t cling to me.” Jesus was not going to continue living
on the earth. His relationship with Mary
and the other disciples would no longer involve his physical presence.
Vs. 19-31 Jesus appears to the disciples.
Why did Jesus breath on the disciples?
He gave them the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as he had promised in
John 14:17. In the Old Testament God breathed into man the breath of life and
man became a living soul, here Jesus breathes into them the Holy Spirit
symbolizing the new spiritual life and indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
What authority did Jesus give them?
The authority to forgive or retain the sins of others.
How is this authority administered?
Through the Gospel, which is given to all conditionally. If they accept the gospel their sins
are forgiven if they reject it their sins remain.
Thomas was absent at the first appearance and did not accept the testimony
of the others. When Jesus appeared the
second time, what was Thomas reaction?
He believed, even without having to touch the scars. His statement, “My Lord and My God” is one of
the strongest in scripture.
Vs. 29 What does Jesus say about faith and signs after Thomas’ confession?
Those who believe without seeing are blessed. A greater faith and therefore a greater
blessing for those who could not see Jesus.
Vs. 30-31 What is the purpose of John only recording the certain miracles
of Jesus?
To bring belief to those who did not see Jesus when He was on the
earth. John’s Gospel strengthens our
walk by faith.
1. To Mary Magdalene (Mark
16:9-11; John 20:11-18).
2.
To the other two women who were with Mary - Salome and Mary the mother
of James (Matthew 28:9-10).
3.
To Peter (Luke 24:34).
4.
To two disciples on Emmaus Road (Luke 24:13-32).
5.
To the apostles with Thomas absent (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-25)
Week after the Resurrection
6.
To the apostles with Thomas present (John 20:26-29).
Over the next few weeks
7.
To seven of apostles at the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-25).
8. To the apostles on a mountain
in Galilee (Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18
9.
To over 500 brethren (1 Corinthians 15:6).
10. To His brother James (1 Corinthians 15:7)
40th Day after
Resurrection
11. To the apostles and ate a meal with them
(Acts 1:3-8; Luke 24:44-49).
12. To those who witnessed His ascension (Acts
1:9-12; Mark 16:19-20; Luke 24:50-53).
2-3 Years After the Resurrection
13. To Paul (1 Corinthians 15:8; Acts 9:1-6;
18:9-10; 23:11).
Conclusion
The Resurrection is an essential part of the Gospel message and a key
doctrine in the Christian faith. It proves that Jesus Christ is the Son of God
and that His atoning work on the cross has been completed and is effective. The
empty cross and the empty tomb are God’s “receipts” telling us that the debt
has been paid. - Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, (Wheaton,
IL: Victor Books, 1996), 1:387.
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