1. The discovery of Peter and John 20:1-9 (cf. Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-8)John omitted the earthquake, the angel rolling away the stone that covered the tomb entrance, and his sitting on the stone (Matthew 28:2-3). He also did not include the appearance of two angels to the women who visited the tomb early Easter morning, before Peter and John did, and the women’s reactions (Matthew 28:5-8; Mark 16:5-8; Luke 24:4-8). read more
F. Jesus’ resurrection 20:1-29"If the Gospel of John were an ordinary biography, there would be no chapter 20. I am an incurable reader of biographies, and I notice that almost all of them conclude with the death and burial of the subject. I have yet to read one that describes the subject’s resurrection from the dead! The fact that John continued his account and shared the excitement of the Resurrection miracle is proof that Jesus Christ is not like any other man. He is, indeed, the Son of... read more
When Peter arrived at the tomb, he barged right in, probably because he wanted to know exactly how things stood regardless of the consequences. He also beheld (Gr. theopei, beheld intently) the linen burial clothes (Gr. ta othonia) but also the cloth that had covered Jesus’ face (Gr. soudarion, cf. John 11:44). Evidently John could not see this from his vantage point. It’s distance from the other clothes and the care with which someone had positioned it were unusual. Jesus was obviously not... read more
The Resurrection1-10. The Resurrection. Visits of Mary Magdalene, and of Peter and John to the tomb of Jesus. (For the Resurrection appearances see on the synoptics, especially on St. Matthew; for the visit of Mary Magdalene see Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1, Luke 24:10 for that of St. Peter see Luke 24:12.) This section, peculiar to the Fourth Gospel, is marked by specially vivid features. The race to the tomb in which John, the younger man, outruns Peter; the impetuous nature of Peter,... read more
(6) And went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie.—Better, . . . beholdeth the linen clothes lie. The word is not the same as that in John 20:5, but expresses the close observation of the linen clothes by St. Peter, while St. John did but see them from without. read more
(7) And the napkin, that was about his head.—Comp. Note on John 11:44.Not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together . .—This was not seen from without (John 20:5), but was in a separate place, perhaps on the inner side of the sepulchre. In this description and in this verse the minute knowledge and remembrance of an eye-witness reaches its climax. The very fact that the napkin was folded did not escape the writer’s eye, nor fade from his memory.Then went in also that other disciple . .... read more
Easter Day John 20:1 We can hardly visit a cemetery without being filled with solemn and impressive thoughts. As you stand there with multitudes at your feet, all wrapped in slumber, your thoughts cany you back to the past, and on to the future. You look at the cold marble or the green grass which waves over that precious dust, but there is no one able to bid the slumberers arise. I. The Empty Tomb. There are many such spots where different groups of mourners meet, but there is one tomb above... read more
XXII. THE RESURRECTION."Now on the first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, while it was yet dark, unto the tomb, and seeth the stone taken away from the tomb. She runneth therefore, 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 tomb, and we know not where they have laid Him. Peter therefore went forth, and the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. And they ran both together: and the... read more
CHAPTER 20 1. The Empty Sepulchre. (John 20:1-10 .) 2. The Risen One and Mary of Magdala. (John 20:11-18 .) 3. The Gathered Company and He in the midst. (John 20:19-23 .) 4. The Second Time. (John 20:24-29 .) 5. The Purpose of John’s Record. (John 20:30-31 .) “I lay down my life that I might take it up again.” The sufferings were accomplished. The Good Shepherd laid down His life for the sheep and now we learn how He arose from the dead. John 2:19 was fulfilled. “Destroy this temple and... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - John 20:6
6-7. seeth the linen clothes lie—lying. And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes—not loosely, as if hastily thrown down, and indicative of a hurried and disorderly removal. but wrapped—folded. together in a place by itself—showing with what grand tranquillity "the Living One" had walked forth from "the dead" ( :-). "Doubtless the two attendant angels ( :-) did this service for the Rising One, the one disposing of the linen clothes, the other of the napkin"... read more