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John 20: Expository Preaching and Study Guide

Overview

John 20 is one of the most climactic and theologically rich chapters in the Gospel of John. It records the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the empty tomb, His post-resurrection appearances, and the commissioning of the disciples. This chapter affirms the historical bodily resurrection of Jesus—a central tenet of Christian faith—and presents Jesus as the victorious Savior and Lord. It concludes with John‘s stated purpose for writing his Gospel: that readers may believe Jesus is the Messiah and have life in His name (John 20:31).

Key events include:

  • Mary Magdalene discovering the empty tomb (vv. 1–2)

  • Peter and John inspecting the grave clothes (vv. 3–10)

  • Jesus appearing to Mary and calling her by name (vv. 11–18)

  • Jesus appearing to the disciples, breathing on them the Holy Spirit (vv. 19–23)

  • Jesus appearing to Thomas and dispelling his doubts (vv. 24–29)

  • The purpose statement of the Gospel (vv. 30–31)

This chapter is a cornerstone for preaching the resurrection, faith, and the mission of the Church, grounded in the literal truth of the risen Christ.

Historical and Literary Context

Historical Background

  • Time and Setting: This chapter unfolds on the first day of the week (Sunday), immediately after the Jewish Sabbath, in Jerusalem, following Jesus’ crucifixion and burial in a nearby tomb.

  • The Roman Empire controlled Judea, and crucifixion was a Roman execution method reserved for the worst criminals. Jesus’ crucifixion was a joint effort of the Roman governor and the Jewish leaders.

  • The Jewish burial customs mentioned (e.g., linen cloths, spices) affirm the cultural context and reinforce the literal death and burial of Jesus.

Literary Insights

  • The Gospel of John is theological and testimonial, emphasizing Jesus’ identity as the Son of God.

  • John 20 uses eyewitness language, repetition of “seeing” and “believing,” and personal encounters to underscore evidence for the resurrection.

  • The chapter forms a literary climax, with Jesus’ resurrection as the fulfillment of His previous predictions and the sign of His deity and messiahship.

From a conservative evangelical view, this is not myth or symbolism—it is a literal, historical record. The bodily resurrection of Jesus is not optional or metaphorical; it is essential to salvation and the foundation of Christian hope (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:17).

Key Themes and Doctrinal Points

1. The Bodily Resurrection of Christ

  • The empty tomb and post-resurrection appearances affirm the literal, physical resurrection.

  • Jesus showed His wounds (v. 20) and invited Thomas to touch Him (v. 27), proving His bodily identity.

  • This confirms the fulfillment of Scripture and Jesus’ own words (cf. John 2:19–22).

Doctrinal Significance:

2. Faith Based on Eyewitness Testimony

  • Thomas’ doubt gives way to a confession of faith: “My Lord and my God!” (v. 28)

  • Jesus pronounces a blessing on those who have not seen yet believed (v. 29)

Doctrinal Significance:

  • Saving faith is not blind—it is rooted in truth and credible witness

  • The Gospel accounts provide sufficient evidence for belief

  • The sufficiency of Scripture is highlighted in v. 31: “these are written that you may believe…”

3. The Commissioning of the Disciples

  • Jesus says, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (v. 21)

  • He breathes the Holy Spirit on them (v. 22)—a symbolic act pointing to the coming empowerment at Pentecost

Doctrinal Significance:

  • The Church is sent with Christ’s authority and message

  • Marks the beginning of the Great Commission mandate

  • The Spirit equips believers to proclaim the gospel and forgive sins (v. 23) by announcing the gospel message that leads to repentance and forgiveness

4. The Role of Scripture and Testimony

  • John closes with the purpose: to lead to belief in Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God

  • The Gospel is not exhaustive but sufficient for salvation

Doctrinal Significance:

  • Emphasizes the authority of Scripture in evangelism and discipleship

  • Scripture is God-breathed and inerrant, reliable for knowing Jesus and receiving eternal life

Summary of Key Doctrinal Truths

  • Biblical Authority: The Scriptures are the divinely inspired and reliable Word of God, sufficient for saving faith.

  • Deity of Christ: Jesus is fully God, affirmed by Thomas’ confession and Jesus’ resurrection.

  • Resurrection: Historical and physical, proving Christ’s victory and validating Christian faith.

  • Faith: Trusting in Jesus without seeing—based on reliable apostolic witness.

  • Holy Spirit: Given by Jesus for empowering His followers.

  • Mission of the Church: Rooted in Christ’s sending; every believer is a witness.

Conclusion

John 20 stands at the heart of the Christian gospel. It calls every believer, and especially every church leader, to proclaim the risen Christ, to lead others to faith, and to live in the power of the Spirit. The eyewitness account challenges all to believe and to boldly proclaim the risen Lord Jesus, holding fast to the authority of God’s Word.

Verse-by-Verse Analysis: John 20 (Key Sections)

From a literal, historical, and doctrinally sound interpretation using the NIV and affirming the authority and inerrancy of Scripture.

John 20:1-2 – The Empty Tomb Discovered

“Early on the first day of the week…”

  • Literal Meaning: Mary Magdalene visits the tomb early Sunday morning and finds the stone rolled away. She assumes Jesus’ body has been taken.

  • Doctrinal Insight: The mention of “the first day of the week” underscores the Lord’s Day, the day of resurrection. The stone rolled away signifies divine intervention, not human effort.

  • Cross-Reference: Luke 24:1-12; Mark 16:1-8.

  • Application: God often works when His people think all hope is lost. The resurrection begins with confusion and ends with clarity.

John 20:3-10 – Peter and John Investigate

“He saw the strips of linen lying there…”

  • Literal Meaning: The grave clothes were left neatly behind. This rules out grave robbers who would not unwrap the body.

  • Doctrinal Insight: Evidence of bodily resurrection, not a stolen corpse or spiritual vision.

  • Cross-Reference: Luke 24:12; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8.

  • Application: The resurrection is grounded in objective historical evidence. Christian faith is not blind—it’s based on what really happened.

John 20:11-18 – Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned toward him and cried out…”

  • Literal Meaning: Jesus reveals Himself personally to Mary by name. Her recognition comes not from sight alone, but from relationship.

  • Doctrinal Insight: Jesus is the Good Shepherd who calls His sheep by name (John 10:3-4). His resurrection restores personal relationship with His people.

  • Cross-Reference: Hebrews 4:15-16; Isaiah 43:1.

  • Application: Jesus knows and calls each of His followers individually. This highlights intimacy and grace.

John 20:19-23 – Jesus Commissions the Disciples

“Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

  • Literal Meaning: Jesus appears to the disciples behind locked doors and commissions them with peace, purpose, and the Holy Spirit.

  • Doctrinal Insight:

    • Peace (v. 19): Fulfilled promise (John 14:27).

    • Commission (v. 21): Continuation of Jesus’ mission through the Church.

    • Holy Spirit (v. 22): Foreshadowing Pentecost.

  • Cross-Reference: Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8.

  • Application: Jesus gives peace amid fear, power for mission, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Every believer is sent.

John 20:24-29 – Thomas and the Wounds

“Stop doubting and believe.”

  • Literal Meaning: Thomas, absent earlier, demands physical proof. Jesus grants it and calls him to believe.

  • Doctrinal Insight: This underscores the bodily nature of the resurrection and Jesus’ patience with honest doubt.

  • Cross-Reference: 1 John 1:1-3; Jude 22.

  • Application: Doubts are best resolved by encountering the risen Christ through Scripture. Believing without seeing brings greater blessing (v. 29).

John 20:30-31 – The Purpose Statement

“But these are written that you may believe…”

  • Literal Meaning: John clarifies that the Gospel’s purpose is evangelistic—leading to faith in Jesus.

  • Doctrinal Insight: Emphasizes the sufficiency of Scripture for salvation. Not all signs are recorded, but enough are given for faith.

  • Cross-Reference: Romans 10:17; 2 Timothy 3:15.

  • Application: Church leaders must preach Scripture with confidence that it leads people to eternal life through Christ.

Theological Implications and Connection to Jesus Christ

John 20 places Jesus Christ at the center of redemptive history and Christian faith:

1. Jesus is the Risen Savior

2. Jesus is the Sender

  • As the Father sent Jesus, so Jesus sends the Church (John 20:21).

  • Christ is the missionary model: sacrificial, Spirit-empowered, truth-bearing.

3. Jesus is the Giver of Peace and Power

  • He gives peace to troubled hearts and power to fearful disciples.

  • He equips His followers through the Holy Spirit to continue His work.

4. Jesus is the Object of Saving Faith

  • Thomas’ confession—“My Lord and my God!”—is a climactic affirmation of Jesus’ deity.

  • John’s Gospel urges readers to believe in Jesus as Messiah and Son of God.

5. Jesus Fulfills the Scriptures

  • The resurrection fulfills OT prophecy (Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 53:10-12).

  • Jesus’ mission, death, and resurrection complete the plan of redemption from Genesis to Revelation.

How the Chapter Connects to God the Father

Though Jesus is the focus, John 20 clearly reflects the Father’s role in redemption:

1. The Father Sent the Son (v. 21)

  • Jesus’ mission flows from the eternal plan of the Father (John 3:16; Galatians 4:4).

  • Jesus acts in obedience to the Father’s will, and now sends His disciples in the same authority.

2. The Father Raised Jesus from the Dead

  • Though not directly stated in this chapter, other texts affirm the Father’s role in the resurrection:

    • Romans 6:4 – “through the glory of the Father”

    • Acts 2:24 – “God raised Him from the dead”

  • The resurrection is a Trinitarian act—Father, Son, and Spirit involved in perfect unity.

3. The Father Grants Eternal Life through the Son

  • John 20:31: “by believing you may have life in his name” – points to the life-giving will of the Father (cf. John 6:40).

  • Belief in Jesus leads to fellowship with the Father (John 14:6-7).

Summary: Trinitarian Implications

  • The Father: Plans redemption, sends the Son, raises the dead, grants life.

  • The Son: Obeys, dies, rises, sends His followers, and gives peace.

  • The Spirit: Empowering presence, breathed out by Jesus, to dwell in believers.

Connection to the Holy Spirit

John 20 introduces one of the most pivotal moments concerning the Holy Spirit in the Gospel of John—Jesus breathing on the disciples and saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22).

1. Foreshadowing of Pentecost

  • This moment anticipates the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2. Though the actual indwelling and empowering come later, this gesture is symbolic and preparatory.

  • It marks the transition from Jesus’ physical presence to the Spirit’s presence.

2. Spiritual Empowerment for Mission

  • The breath of Jesus (pneuma) mirrors Genesis 2:7, where God breathes life into Adam. Here, Christ breathes new life into His disciples—resurrected life for resurrected mission.

  • Through the Spirit, believers are equipped to forgive, proclaim the gospel, and live out the Kingdom.

3. Ministry Authority Comes through the Spirit

  • Jesus commissions His disciples with divine authority: “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

  • This links the mission of the Church to the power of the Spirit, not human skill.

4. The Spirit Confirms Christ’s Victory

  • The risen Christ, breathing the Spirit, shows that the veil is torn, the curse is broken, and the Spirit can now indwell believers without separation from God.

Sermon Outline and Flow: “The Risen Christ and the Sent Church” (John 20)

Introduction

  • Start with the question: “What changes when Jesus rises from the dead?”

  • Talk about the difference between religion and resurrection power.

I. The Empty Tomb: The Power of the Resurrection (vv. 1–10)

Main Point: The resurrection is a historical, physical reality, not a spiritual idea.

  • Transition: If Jesus is truly alive, what does that mean for us today?

Application: Christianity stands or falls on the resurrection. Our hope is not in a dead teacher, but in a risen Savior.

II. The Personal Encounter: Jesus Calls by Name (vv. 11–18)

Main Point: The resurrected Christ meets us personally, not impersonally.

  • Example: Mary weeping—believing all is lost—until Jesus calls her by name.

  • Cross-reference: John 10:3-4 — “He calls His own sheep by name.”

Application: Jesus knows your name. He meets you where you are—broken, grieving, confused—and speaks life.

III. The Commissioning: Peace, Power, and Purpose (vv. 19–23)

Main Point: Jesus gives peace for fear, power through the Spirit, and purpose for the Church.

  • Illustration: Disciples hiding in fear — just like many Christians today who keep their faith private. But Jesus enters the locked room.

  • Application:

    • Peace: You are forgiven.

    • Power: You are not alone.

    • Purpose: You are sent.

IV. The Doubt Resolved: Thomas and Faith (vv. 24–29)

Main Point: Jesus lovingly addresses doubt but calls for faith.

  • Transition: God doesn’t fear our questions, but He calls us to believe in His Word.

Illustration: Use a story of someone (perhaps a student or skeptic) who came to faith through Scripture and testimony.

Application: Faith is not “believing without evidence”; it’s trusting based on reliable testimony.

V. The Call to Believe: Why This Gospel Was Written (vv. 30–31)

Main Point: Everything in Scripture was written to bring you to faith in Christ and eternal life.

  • Call to Action: Do you believe Jesus is the Christ? Have you trusted Him as Savior?

Conclusion:

  • The risen Christ changes everything.

  • He calls your name, breathes His Spirit, gives you peace, and sends you on mission.

  • You are not a spectator—you are a witness to the risen King.

Call to Action:

  • For the unsaved: Believe in Jesus today and receive life in His name.

  • For the saved: Step into your identity as a sent one, filled with the Spirit, grounded in Scripture, and sent to the world.

Illustrations and Examples

1. Personal Story – From Confusion to Clarity

Share a testimony of a time when God met you in grief or confusion, like Mary at the tomb. Maybe after a loss or failure, Jesus made Himself known to you through the Word or community.

2. Modern Example – Locked Doors and Fear

Imagine a group of believers in a closed country today, worshiping behind locked doors, afraid of arrest. Still, they gather because they know Jesus is with them, just as He was with the disciples in John 20.

3. Analogy – The Breath of Life

Just as a CPR rescuer breathes life into someone whose heart has stopped, Jesus breathes spiritual life into His disciples. Without the Spirit, the Church is lifeless; with the Spirit, the Church is unstoppable.

4. Cultural Connection – Proving Identity

In a world full of doubt and fake news, people want proof. Thomas was not much different. But Jesus gave him evidence. Today, the Word of God, the witness of changed lives, and the Spirit’s work provide more than enough to believe.

Application for Today’s Christian

John 20 is not just a record of a past event; it is a living call to respond to the resurrected Christ. Believers are invited to live in resurrection power, walk in discipleship, embrace stewardship, and witness with boldness.

1. Discipleship: Walking in Resurrection Faith

  • Respond personally to Christ: Like Mary and Thomas, each believer must encounter the risen Jesus—not just know facts, but respond in faith and worship.

  • Live as one sent: Jesus sends every believer to continue His mission (v. 21). Discipleship is not passive but active—learning, growing, and going.

  • Obey His Word: Those who believe are called to trust and obey the Scriptures (v. 31), not just admire Jesus from afar.

Practical Step: Start each week with intentional Scripture reading on Sunday—the “first day of the week”—to center life on the risen Christ.

2. Stewardship: Caring for the Gospel Message

  • Guard and share the truth: Like the apostles, Christians are stewards of the eyewitness testimony of Christ. We are to preserve the gospel faithfully and proclaim it clearly.

  • Use time and gifts for mission: Stewardship includes not only finances but time, words, influence, and relationships to make Christ known.

Practical Step: Budget time weekly to disciple someone younger in the faith or engage in gospel conversations. Stewardship includes spiritual legacy.

3. Living Out Faith: Bold Witness in a Fearful World

  • Don’t let fear lock your faith away: Jesus entered a locked room to give peace. Christians are to live with boldness even when the world seems hostile or uncertain.

  • Forgive and restore: Jesus gave the disciples authority to forgive sins (v. 23)—not in the priestly sense, but in declaring the gospel that leads to forgiveness. We too must extend grace and restoration in relationships.

Practical Step: Identify someone this week to forgive, restore, or serve—someone who needs to know the peace of the risen Christ through your words and actions.

Connection to God’s Love

John 20 is saturated with God’s redeeming love for a fallen world. His love is not abstract—it’s personal, powerful, and proven in Christ’s resurrection.

1. God’s Love in the Resurrection

  • The empty tomb is God’s “yes” to the cross. It confirms that Christ’s sacrifice was accepted and that sin and death are defeated.

  • Jesus’ first words to the fearful disciples were “Peace be with you.” God’s love brings peace, not punishment, to those who believe.

2. God’s Love for the Individual

  • Jesus appears first to Mary Magdalene, not a religious leader, but a once-broken woman. This is a picture of God’s love for the outcast, the grieving, the one who weeps.

  • Jesus tenderly addresses Thomas‘ doubts. He doesn’t reject him—He invites him closer. God’s love meets us in weakness.

Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

3. God’s Love in Commissioning

  • God’s love does not just rescue us; it includes us in His mission. Jesus empowers His disciples not because they are strong, but because they are chosen by grace.

Broader Biblical Themes

John 20 stands at a climactic point in the Bible’s redemptive story, showing how the resurrection of Jesus fulfills major biblical themes.

1. Creation and New Life

  • The first day of the week (v. 1) echoes the first day of creation (Genesis 1:1-5). In Christ’s resurrection, a new creation begins.

  • Jesus breathing on His disciples (v. 22) recalls Genesis 2:7, where God breathes life into Adam. This signifies the new life of the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 5:17: “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come.”

2. Redemption and Victory Over Death

  • Jesus‘ resurrection is the turning point of redemption—the promise given in Genesis 3:15 is fulfilled.

  • The penalty of sin is reversed, and the power of the devil is broken (Hebrews 2:14).

Revelation 1:18: “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever!”

3. Covenant Fulfillment and Commission

Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 1:8 are built upon what begins in John 20: “As the Father has sent me…”

4. Restoration and Mission

  • From confusion to calling, from doubt to discipleship—John 20 is a story of restoration.

  • It connects to Ezekiel 37 (the dry bones receiving breath) and points forward to the Church’s birth in Acts.

Reflection Questions: John 20

Use these questions to encourage deeper thought, personal examination, and group discussion. They are crafted to stir faith, promote spiritual growth, and lead toward gospel-centered living.

1. What does the empty tomb mean for your life today?

  • How does Jesus’ resurrection give you hope in the face of death, discouragement, or spiritual dryness?

2. Mary recognized Jesus when He called her name.

  • Can you remember a moment when Jesus personally made Himself real to you?

  • How is He calling your name today?

3. Jesus entered the room where the disciples were locked in fear.

  • Are there places in your life where fear is keeping you behind closed doors?

  • What would it look like to let Jesus bring His peace into those areas?

4. Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

  • What does it mean to live as someone sent by Jesus?

  • How can you live with gospel intentionality in your work, home, and community?

5. Thomas struggled to believe without seeing.

  • What doubts or questions do you need to bring honestly to Jesus?

  • How does His patience with Thomas encourage you in seasons of uncertainty?

6. Jesus breathed on His disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

  • How does the Holy Spirit help you in daily discipleship?

  • Are you relying on the Spirit’s power or trying to serve Christ in your own strength?

7. John wrote these things so “you may believe… and have life in his name.”

  • Do you have this life in Christ? If not, what is stopping you from fully trusting Him?

  • If you do, how can you share that life with someone else this week?

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