1
On the first day of the week, very early, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb, and she saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.

2
So she ran and came to Simon Peter and the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”

3
Then Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.

4
The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.

5
He stooped down and looked in, and saw the linen cloths lying there; but he did not go in.

6
Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there,

7
and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head was not lying with the linen cloths, but was folded up in a place by itself.

8
Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed.

9
For as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise from the dead.

10
Then the two disciples went back to their homes.

11
But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. As she wept, she stooped down and looked into the tomb,

12
and she saw two angels in white, one sitting at the head and the other at the feet where the body of Jesus had lain.

13
They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”

14
When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus.

15
Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing Him to be the gardener, Mary said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”

16
Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” which means Teacher.

17
Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brothers and say to them that I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.”

18
Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” and also that He had said these things to her.

19
When it was evening on that first day of the week, the disciples of Jesus were gathered together in a place with the doors locked because they were afraid of the Jews. Then Jesus came and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you!”

20
And after saying this, He showed them His hands and His side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

21
Then Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent Me, so now I send you.”

22
And after saying this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

23
If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you declare anyone’s sins remain, they remain.”

24
But Thomas, one of the twelve disciples, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came there.

25
So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in His hands and put my finger into the mark of the nails and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.”

26
Eight days later the disciples of Jesus were again in that house, and Thomas was with them. While the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you!”

27
Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see My hands; reach out your hand and put it into My side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”

28
Thomas answered Him, “My Lord and my God!”

29
Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, yet have believed.”

30
Indeed, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book,

31
but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.

📖 John 20 – The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

🧾 Summary of John 20

This chapter contains the account of Jesus’ resurrection on Sunday morning and His appearances to the disciples, including Thomas the doubter. John emphasizes that the resurrection of Jesus is the heart of the Christian faith and that through His resurrection, life and hope are given to every believer.

1. The Empty Tomb (verses 1–10)

Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning and saw the stone had been rolled away.
She immediately told Simon Peter and the disciple whom Jesus loved (John).
The two of them ran to the tomb. John arrived first, but Peter went in first.
They saw the linen cloths and the face cloth neatly folded. They believed that Jesus was not there, but did not yet understand that He had risen.

2. Jesus Appears to Mary (verses 11–18)

Mary remained by the tomb and wept.
She saw two angels in the tomb, and then Jesus appeared to her.
At first Mary did not recognize Him, thinking He was the gardener.
When Jesus called her name, “Mary!” — only then did she recognize Him and answer, “Rabboni!”
Jesus said:

“Do not hold on to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father…”

Mary went and told the disciples: “I have seen the Lord!”

3. Jesus Appears to the Disciples (verses 19–23)

That evening, Jesus appeared to the disciples who were gathered behind locked doors because they were afraid.
He said:

“Peace be with you!”

He showed His hands and His side as proof of the resurrection.
Jesus breathed on them and said:

“Receive the Holy Spirit.”

4. Thomas Doubts (verses 24–29)

Thomas was not there when Jesus first appeared and said,

“Unless I see the mark of the nails and put my finger there, I will not believe.”

Eight days later, Jesus appeared again and said to Thomas:

“Put your finger here… do not be unbelieving, but believe!”

Thomas answered:

“My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said:

“Blessed are those who have not seen, yet have believed.”

5. The Purpose of the Gospel of John (verses 30–31)

John closes the chapter by stating that many of Jesus’ miracles were not all written down, but these things that are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by that faith you may have life in His name.

📘 Main Teachings of John 20

Jesus truly rose bodily, not only spiritually.
Mary Magdalene became the first witness of the resurrection, showing that love and faithfulness are valued by God.
Jesus brings peace and gives the Holy Spirit, marking the beginning of new life in the Spirit’s power.
True faith does not depend on sight, but believes on the basis of testimony and the word.
The resurrection is the foundation of Christian faith, giving hope of eternal life.

✨ Spiritual Meaning of John 20

The resurrection of Jesus shows that death has no power over Him – and none over us who believe in Him.
Mary’s story teaches that Jesus calls us personally and desires a close relationship.
Thomas reflects many of us who doubt, but Jesus still comes near and invites us to believe.
Through His resurrection, Jesus gives peace, forgiveness, and power to live in the Holy Spirit.