ETB John 20:1-17

Session #5 - p.46 - Believe!

Rachel Saint, sister of martyred missionary Nate Saint, devoted many years of her life to working among the Waorani (Auca) tribes of Ecuador, the same tribe that killed her brother. The president of Ecuador once asked how she had been able to effect change among this dangerous tribe. Rachel explained that the same message of forgiveness and faith in Christ to change an individual’s heart applies to all people everywhere who will believe in Him as Savior. The president then asked one of Nate Saint’s killers, “Who is Jesus Christ?” The man quickly responded, “He is the One who came from heaven, died for my sins, and made me stop killing. As a result, I now live happily with my brothers.” [LifeWay Adults (2024). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Spring 2024]

It is the power of the resurrection and the empty tomb that makes that story possible.

Understand the Context

Jesus’ “Triumphal Entry” back in Chapter 12. Upper Room meal started in Chapter 13 and his teaching there goes through Chapter 17.

Chapter 18-19 start early on Friday morning and include the betrayal, trials, and crucifixion ending with a quick precursory burial by Nicodemus and Joseph, the tomb’s owner.

Chapter 20 begins with the evidence of His glorious resurrection, followed by eyewitness accounts of that event. It also includes Jesus’s commissioning of His disciples. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

Explore the Text

John 20:1–2 ESV

1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one 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.”

v.1

First day of the week

John along with the other Gospel writers noted that the resurrection occurred on the first day of the week, which would be Sunday. Thus the early Christians established this day as their day of worship, moving away from the Sabbath observances that ran from Friday night to Saturday night in Jewish life. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

Mary Magdalene

From Magdala in Galilee, Mary faithfully followed and supported Jesus’s ministry (Mark 15:40-41). Part of her devotion was due to the gratitude she felt for His miraculous work in her life, exorcising seven demons from her (Luke 8:2). She also had witnessed Jesus’s death on the cross and burial in the borrowed tomb (Matt. 27:55-56,61). While the other Gospel writers mentioned additional women at the tomb in their Easter accounts, John highlighted Mary as the first person to see the empty tomb and to encounter the risen Christ (John 20:1-18). [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

came to the tomb early

Last week we talked about how Jacob set up his stone pillow as a memorial to remember how God had spoken and promised to him. The Greek word used throughout our passage to resembles that memorial place more closely than a “grave.” The one Jesus was in was created for Joseph’s family so it may have been adorned or marked ornately reflecting the family’s wealth. I think it is interesting that John continued to use that word instead of “grave” when he wrote the gospel later. Memorials do not always contain the remains of those for which the monument was created. John knew this was not Jesus’ grave as he resurrected, but it was a place to remember.

the stone had been taken away

Other translations and gospel account record that the stone was “rolled away.”

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 20

Only very few of the almost 1,000 excavated tombs of this period in and around Jerusalem had rolling stones to close off the entrance to the tomb. This luxury was restricted to the wealthy. Usually, tomb entrances had square or rectangular closing stones. These stones fit like a cork in a bottle in the tomb opening. The narrow part fit exactly in the inner opening, while the wider part closed off the outer opening.

while it was still dark,

I think we talked last time we studied this passage about how the moon would have given on light even though it was still “night” when Mary left.

Some scholars say this darkness was more about Mary’s state of being and her grief than the luminosity of the sky.

As I have studied Scripture more, I have come to believe more firmly that God in His infinite wisdom can use words in many more ways that I can or will. If there are two or more possible meanings, I have begun to take the “both/and” instead of the “either/or” approach, as long as one possibility does not conflict with the whole counsel of Scripture. I believe it was dark in the sky and in the disciples hearts and both these factors added to the resistance to believe the tomb was emptied by Jesus’ leaving by His own glorious power.

v.2

Mary ran to tell the disciples what she observed and how she interpreted those observations.

Mark’s Gospel tells us there were several other women that were also on their way to the tomb that morning and may be alluded to in John’s recording this Mary to say “we do not know.” Although all the disciples would have been somewhere in the city, Mary goes to Peter the now leader of the group.

Peter sometimes demonstrated a self-seeking attitude (Matt. 19:27). At other times, he was self-sacrificing (Mark 1:16-18). Sometimes, Peter showed spiritual insight (Matt. 16:16), while on other occasions he seemed slow to perceive spiritual matters (Matt. 15:15-16). [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

Peter, like us was a work in progress. Sometimes impatient and other times long suffering, but always ready to act. This time he needed to go and see exactly what Mary was trying to tell them about.

John 20:3–10 ESV

3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he 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 face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but 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 disciples went back to their homes.

v3-5

the other disciple outran Peter

Grown men typically did not run in the culture of first-century Palestine. Thus, the fact that Peter and John ran perhaps demonstrates an unusual degree of curiosity and excitement on their part. In addition, running could have drawn attention to them, which is something they probably wanted to avoid. Yet, they felt an urgency to get to the tomb that overcame social stigmas and fears. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

The last time we studied this passage I could this phrasing acted out as a fun little foot race in the midst of a hard week. This time however I see it as something more somber.

John was younger and we would have expected to out run Peter, so by stating this he is pointing to something that wasn’t normal. We know from the other Gospels that the disciples did not initially believe Mary’s report. Peter may not have been motivated to really “run” because he did not want to go to the grave and prove Mary wrong. He was still in morning and may have just trotted along just to keep within reach of John not really trying to “beat him” as may have been normal.

I wonder if I’ll see this foot race in another way the next time we study it?

stooping to look in, he saw

I am guessing this was an east facing opening for John to be able to stand partly in front of the opening and be able to see well enough this early in the morning to distinguish between objects down in the tomb and to recognize clothing or the burial cloths.

v.6-7

The linen cloths

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 20

Though it is sometimes suggested otherwise, nothing in the text indicates that Jesus’ body passed through the cloths or that the cloths were lying in the shape of Jesus’ body.

Jon Courson’s Application Commentary Chapter 20

As is His custom—never in a hurry, never frustrated, but always moving at the right pace—the Prince of Peace folds the napkin carefully.

There is nothing in the text that suggests that Jesus did not also take the time to fold up the other cloth/clothes that were no longer on him. His work was complete and there was no need to rush out. If pen and ink were available, He may have even taken the time to left a note for Joseph, “Thanks for letting me borrow these and the tomb.”

and the face cloth

I am supposing that either this was around the corner a bit and not visible by John from the entry, or it was a detail he did not notice at first. Maybe he was still trying to figure out whose clothes those were when Peter walked past him.

Notice also the plural “cloths” and a separate “face cloth.” These words put a big question mark on those supposed relics that purport to have the entire image of Christ, front and back, all on one piece of cloth. We in this room do not doubt the Word of God, so something else must be in error with such items.

not lying with the linen cloths

Grave robbers would not have taken the time to unwrap a body. They definitely would not have only folded on piece and neatly placed it somewhere else. If someone was trying to be deceptive about Jesus’ body, they may have brought a set of clothes to place in the tomb and then taken the wrapped body out. But again, having the one smaller cloth neatly placed away from the others tells us of a personal care that was taken with these wrappings. Not something a thief or a deceiver would consider.

v.8-10

he saw and believed

Did not have a good answer last time and still do not this time on what it is that John “believed.”

The Greek verb used in verse 8 occurs only one time with that meaning in the passage. The term means “to perceive with understanding.” Thus some measure of spiritual perception allowed John’s seeing to become believing. While it is not clear exactly what John believed, he is the only person in the Gospels who is recognized as believing as a result of seeing the empty tomb. Most of Christ’s followers needed to experience a post-resurrection appearance of Jesus to believe He really was alive. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 20

The other disciple believed based on what he saw, not on an understanding from Scripture that Jesus must rise from the dead. This lack of expectation of a resurrection shows that the disciples did not fabricate the resurrection story to fit their preconceived expectations. Rather, the resurrection shocked them and did not fit with what they understood from Scripture. Only later, aided by the Spirit’s teaching (see notes at 14:25–26; 16:12–13), did they come to see that Jesus’s resurrection was foretold in the OT.

I think the best answer I came across was similar to this. Since this is John’s Gospel and he is recording his first hand knowledge of the events of that day that he is interjecting here a comment about when he first started truly believing in Christ’s resurrection, even though as that next verse states, he was not fully aware of all the Scripture that had already pointed to and prophesied the event.

that he must rise from the dead

The wording of this phrase emphasizes the necessity of Christ’s resurrection for our atonement. I think that John and the disciples believed Jesus would raise from the dead as He said, they just did not understand the need for His death at this time. They may have pictured Him dying in battle against the Romans and then coming back to life. Their understanding of the Scripture would grow as the Holy Spirit worked within them in the coming months and years to inspire them to write all the New Testament.

Our understanding also grows and deepen our faith as we read their words and are taught by the same Spirit that inspired them to pen them.

went back to their homes

The word “homes” is not in any of the texts that I saw. The CSB says they went to “where they were staying.” The most literal transliteration would simple say “The disciples went back.”

The two disciples in the passage came, looked at the evidence before them and left. Their task of confirming the women’s accounts was completed so they did not linger at the tomb site. Mary however had set out to finish the burial process of Jesus’ body. She was grieving her loss, and now a possible defilement, and their was no physical body to prepare. So she lingered at the tomb.

John 20:11–17 ESV

11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 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 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, 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, she 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 Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”

v.11-13

Mary stood weeping outside the tomb

Mary has come back to the tomb more than once this day and each time something is different. Not only has her Lord been brutally tortured and crucified, but now apparently she cannot even finish giving him a proper burial because someone has move/stolen his body. She may have been crying all morning but it seems to culminate now as John may have heard it even as he was getting farther away as he went back to the city.

she stooped to look into the tomb

This was Mary’s first time looking into the tomb. Although she had been their more than once that morning, she had never gotten close enough to look for herself. Whatever the reason, I’m glad she waited until now.

sitting where the body of Jesus had lain

I like the fact that they are sitting. As if waiting for someone with spiritual eyes to finally perceive their presence, or for everyone else to leave before revealing themselves to the one to whom they were sent.

This also points to the important role that women had in Christ’s ministry and the authenticity of these first hand account. A story-teller of the period would not consider making women the initial means of contact of these heavenly beings or the risen Lord.

Opening Up John’s Gospel Mary Meets Jesus (20:10–18)

So what could this mean? What would his Jewish readers have associated with two angels about five to six feet away from each other?

Imagine the traditional flat stone ledge on which the body would have been laid in the tomb. Here was a picture of the ark of the covenant, the gold-covered box that symbolized the place where God met with his people and dealt with their sins. This box had been kept in the Most Holy Place in the temple, behind thick curtains, with two angels positioned at either end, overshadowing what was known as the ‘mercy seat’, where the high priest presented the annual blood sacrifice for the sins of the people.

Woman, why are you weeping?

I do not think this question was for their information, but I am not sure what the intent behind it was for being asked. Maybe to break through Mary’s grief to help her realize what was taking place around her. She apparently answers so she does hear and understand the question, but she still does not fully perceive the situation.

The Moody Bible Commentary D. Resurrection and Appearances (20:1–29)

They simply asked, Woman, why are you weeping? as if to suggest that there was really no reason for sorrow. Mary answered the angels, explaining her theory that the body was stolen. Mary’s sorrow, soon turned to joy, would fulfill the promise Jesus gave the disciples in 16:20–22.

v.14-15

She did not know that it was Jesus

Some suggest that Jesus’s resurrection body was somehow different (see 1 Cor. 15:35-50). The Gospel writers reported other instances where the disciples initially did not recognize Him (see John 21:4; Luke 24:15-16). This theme of failure to recognize Jesus stresses the importance of knowing Jesus by faith. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

the gardener

There are some reference works that suggest that “watchman” may have been a better term for the person she expected to see. If there was ripe fruit in the “garden” then often a person was tasked to keep animals or people from damaging or removing the fruit before it could be harvested. There is also mention of person in Jewish burial customs that would “watch over” a person’s body until the burial period was completed. They were also responsible to keep the body from being disturbed, so if animals were a threat, they could move the body. If he was the caretaker of the garden then he would have known where all the different crypts and people were buried making his question “Whom are you seeking?” a typical question.

v.16-17

Mary!

Some translations punctuate this name with an exclamation point. I don't think Jesus said this in a soft tone. Probably the same one that your Mom or Dad used when they would call you by your full name.

Much like when He first called her by name to begin serving Him on the earth, Jesus calls her into the final stages of His earthly ministry. She responded the first time out of need and recognition of authority. However, since that time she has heard that voice almost constantly for 3 years and her name numerous time. Just as the first call broke the hold of this world, this last time breaks through her grief and its emotional hold on her.

Do not cling to me

It is still difficult to tell from the translations if this about a “literal” clinging to his feet and robe him or a mental/social clinging to his earthly form and ministry. I do like the implications of the wording that the clinging is not OK right now, but later it will be. That is probably why it is difficult to be certain of the wording as it can be a future act as well as a present one.

The Moody Bible Commentary D. Resurrection and Appearances (20:1–29)

The simpler and more likely explanation is that Mary was fervently clinging to Jesus. Therefore, Jesus encouraged her to let go of Him because He was not leaving just yet (Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father). He would be with them for a while longer, 40 more days before His ascension, and there would be more time for meaningful interaction later.

Another reason for her not to “hold on” to Jesus physically is that He has a job for her to do.

my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.

Exalting Jesus in John The Second Radical Change Was in the Position of the Disciples

One hundred eight times in the Gospel of John, Jesus refers to God as “Father.” Twenty-seven times he says “my Father.” Seventy-one times he says “the Father,” and only one time does he refer to God as the disciples’ Father. He does that here in verse 17, as he passes the message to the disciples through Mary. He tells her to say he is ascending to “my Father and your Father.”

John 1:12 ESV

12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

The adoption into God family was now completed. God is now your Father and your God. Both very personal and intimately relational titles.

Mary faithfully obeyed and did as Christ asked because John remembered these things and wrote them down for us. By the time he is recording these thoughts and words on paper/parchment, he has been able to more fully understand all those things that happened that day. He may have even apologized at one point for not believing her at first. The borrowed sepulchre however is still empty and we continue to celebrate its eternally impactful truths. Today’s passage only has Mary going and telling, but later Jesus gives that command to all the disciples, which now include us. May we too be faithful in going and telling of a Risen Savior.

Apply the Text

Pray: Close the group time with a prayer, praising God for the empty tomb. Thank God for giving us a High Priest to continues interceding for us. Help us to avoid taking the new life He provides for granted. Show us ways to live out His new life, the reality of Easter, each day.