Bible Glide

John 20 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

John 20 presents the resurrection of Jesus through witness, surprise, fear, and faith. Mary Magdalene, Peter, John, the other disciples, and Thomas each respond differently to the risen Lord. The chapter also states why these signs were recorded: so readers may believe Jesus is the Christ and have life in His name.

What happens in John 20?

Mary Magdalene finds the tomb open and alerts Peter and the other disciple, who run to see the grave clothes left behind. Mary remains in grief until Jesus speaks her name and sends her to tell the others that He is risen. That evening Jesus appears to the disciples, speaks peace over them, shows His wounds, and sends them out. Thomas, who was absent, later sees Jesus and moves from doubt to confession. The chapter closes by explaining that these signs were written to lead readers to faith and life.

John 20 is the resurrection chapter near the close of the Gospel. It follows the account of Jesus' death and burial in John 19 and prepares for the final appearance to the disciples in John 21. The chapter pulls together major themes in John: signs, belief, witness, and the giving of life through Jesus the Son of God.

  • Resurrection witnessDifferent followers see the empty tomb and the risen Jesus, and their testimony builds the case for faith.
  • Peace and sendingJesus meets fearful disciples with peace and gives them a mission tied to His own sending from the Father.
  • Belief without sightThomas' confession and Jesus' blessing point to the kind of faith available to later readers.
  • Why does John include the different reactions of Mary, the disciples, and Thomas?
  • What do Jesus' words about peace and being sent tell us about the church's mission?
  • How does John's stated purpose in verses 30-31 shape the way you read the whole chapter?

Read the full text of John 20 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

John 20

The Resurrection

1Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.2So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,” she said, “and we do not know where they have put Him!”

3Then Peter and the other disciple set out for the tomb.4The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.5He bent down and looked in at the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.6Simon Peter arrived just after him. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there.7The cloth that had been around Jesus’ head was rolled up, lying separate from the linen cloths.8Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in. And he saw and believed.9For they still did not understand from the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

10Then the disciples returned to their homes.

11But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent down to look into the tomb,12and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and the other at the feet.13“Woman, why are you weeping?” they asked. “Because they have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I do not know where they have put Him.”14When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there; but she did not recognize that it was Jesus.

15“Woman, why are you weeping?” Jesus asked. “Whom are you seeking?” Thinking He was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried Him off, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.”

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

17“Do not cling to Me,” Jesus said, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and tell My brothers, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’”

18Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what He had said to her.

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

19It was the first day of the week, and that very evening, while the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you!” He said to them.

20After He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.21Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.”22When He had said this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.23If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.”

Jesus Appears to Thomas

24Now Thomas called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.25So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails have been, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.”

26Eight days later, His disciples were once again inside with the doors locked, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”27Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.”

28Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!”

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

The Purpose of John’s Book

30Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book.31But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.

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