John 20:19-31

19

For Sermon

First Reading

The disciples were afraid, but Jesus speaks peace to them.

(What type of door locks were used?)

My Crude Translation

[when] it was Now evening on day, that, the first [day] of the week, and the doors had been shut where were the disciples because of fear of the Jews. came Jesus and stood in their midst. And said to them, “Peace to you.”

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NICC?

Jesus is abruptly with his disciples once more, as discourse ends and narrative begins again with Jesus’ arrest in a garden across the Kidron valley. Conspicuous in the Gospel’s passion narrative (chapters 18-21) are a series of verifications or confirmations of promises made earlier in the course of Jesus’ self-revelation: that his scattered disciples would not be lost (Joh 18:8-9), that he himself would be “glorified” (Joh 19:13) and “lifted up” (Joh 19:17-18), and that he would return again to the disciples, bringing with him the Holy Spirit, and the joy and peace he had promised (Joh 20:19-29). The Gospel ends with a new beginning reminiscent of other Gospels, as Jesus, having revealed himself, now reveals some of the implications of being his disciples (chapter 21).

English Standard Version Chapter 20

20

For Sermon

First Reading

The scars remained. Will they last forever? Will our scars last forever also?

They rejoiced at seeing Jesus’ hands and side, but John had been rejoicing for some time before this.

My Crude Translation

And, this, [when he] had said, he showed [his] hands and [his] side to them. rejoiced, Then, the disciples [when they] saw the Lord.

And saying this He showed them His hands and side. Therefore the disciples saw the Lord.

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For Sermon

21

First Reading

Observation: Jesus’ recommendation fits in well with our modern idea of investigation because it would be better to get the story from those who might be more objective.

My Crude Translation

Why me are you asking? Ask the ones who heard. Why [not] ask them? Behold they know what said I.

Textual Context

  There is no Greek equivalent for then in Jesus’ question Why, then, do you question me? However, it is natural to include it in English, since Jesus’ question is based on what he has said in verse 20.

Question the people who heard me. Ask them what I told them is one sentence in Greek: “Ask the people who heard what I said to them.”

In Greek they know what I said begins with the interjection ide, which was discussed at 16:29. It is used for emphasis, and most translators omit it.

Jesus’ argument in verses 20–21 must be understood in the light of contemporary court procedures. According to a later Jewish law, which may have been in force in Jesus’ day, it was improper for an accused person to be asked to testify against himself. Jesus is demanding that the trial be conducted in legal fashion, with proper witnesses.1

1 Newman, B. M., & Nida, E. A. (1993). A handbook on the Gospel of John (p. 560). New York: United Bible Societies.

Historical/Cultural/Theological Context

According to what we know of Jewish law, interrogators were not supposed to force the accused to try to convict himself. But if this law is in effect in Jesus’ day, the priestly aristocracy, upheld by Rome and acting on what they believe to be right for the people, does not concern itself with it.1

1 Keener, C. S. (1993). The IVP Bible background commentary: New Testament (Jn 18:21). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

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English Standard Version Chapter 18

22

For Sermon

First Reading

Question: How is it Jesus doesn’t know this is the high priest?

My Crude Translation

These things of him he said to the one who was standing by, the officers, he gave a slap in the face to Jesus saying, “[Is that] how you speak to the high priest?”

Textual Context

This is actually a plural in Greek (“these things”), but the singular pronoun is more natural in English. The Greek does not introduce Jesus’ name until later on in the verse (RSV “When he had said this, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand”). However, in English it is customary to mention a person by name (When Jesus said this) and then use a pronominal reference (one of the guards there slapped him).

Slapped him is literally “gave Jesus a slap (rapisma).” The primary meaning of the Greek noun is a blow with a club, rod, or whip, but it also can be used of a blow with the hand. In this instance, a blow with the open hand was the more likely. In some languages it is necessary to stipulate where such a blow is given, and it is best in this instance to say “he slapped Jesus on the face.”

Guards is the same word used in verse 3 (see there); the reference is to the Jewish Temple guards.

How dare you talk like that to the High Priest! is actually a question in Greek (RSV “Is that how you answer the high priest?”), for which a number of translations attempt a dynamic equivalent. Note, for example, Barclay “How dare you answer the High Priest like that?” It was expected that the people show proper regard for God and for the leaders whom he had appointed (note Exo 22:28 and Acts 23:4–5). However, in the present context Jesus is simply asking for a fair trial. How dare you talk like this …? may be rendered in some languages “How do you judge yourself big enough to talk like this …?” or “How can you try to talk like this …?” or even “Who told you that you could talk like this …?”1

RSV RSV Revised Standard Version

RSV RSV Revised Standard Version

1 Newman, B. M., & Nida, E. A. (1993). A handbook on the Gospel of John (pp. 560–561). New York: United Bible Societies.

Historical/Cultural/Theological Context

18:22–24. Striking a captive was certainly against Jewish law. This act shows how abusive and uninterested in any form of Jewish legality Annas is; his interest in the case is political, not legal. This also fits the picture of the high priests supplied by other minorities in Judaism who did not like them (Pharisees and Essenes). See comment on Mark 14:1, 43. Jesus has not violated Exodus 22:28; cf. Acts 23:3–5.1

1 Keener, C. S. (1993). The IVP Bible background commentary: New Testament (Jn 18:22–24). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

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English Standard Version Chapter 20

23

For Sermon

First Reading

Does this mean a Christian can refuse to forgive?

Apparently Jesus is giving His disciples authority to forgive, but is He also giving them authority to condemn as well?

My Crude Translation

If, of any, you forgive the sins, they are forgiven them. If of any you retain [the sins] they are retained.

Textual Context

Johannine Vocabulary - [1682 d] “Forgive.” This does not include ἀφίημι meaning “leave,” “suffer.” “Forgiveness” occurs nowhere in Jn, “forgive” only in 20:23 “Whose soever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven unto them.” See also (1690) “Remission of sins.”

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English Standard Version Chapter 20

24

For Sermon

First Reading

Does Thomas suffer from a sense of feeling left out, and having a tantrum by refusing to believe?

My Crude Translation

Thomas, now, one of the twelve, who was called Didymus, not, was with them, when came, Jesus.

And Thomas, one of the twelve, the one called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

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English Standard Version Chapter 20

25

For Sermon

First Reading

Thomas claims that he must touch Jesus in order to believe. John believed when he saw the grave clothes. Mary believed when she heard Jesus call her by name. The other disciples believed when they saw Jesus (vs. 25).

We often take believing for granted, almost like it is no big thing, and come easily. This account of Thomas, who lived alongside Jesus, shows that believing does not come so easily to everyone. So, do we have more faith than Thomas, or do we trivialize genuine faith, not realizing how big a change of heart is required?

My Crude Translation

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

So they said, the other disciples, “Discover the Lord.” But he said to them, “If I do not behold in his hands

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English Standard Version Chapter 20

26

For Sermon

First Reading

Why are the disciples locking themselves behind doors after Jesus spoke HIs peace to them?

My Crude Translation

And after days, eight, again were inside the disciples, of him, and Thomas with them. came Jesus [although] the doors had been shut. And he stood in their midst, and said, “Peace to you.”

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English Standard Version Chapter 20

27

For Sermon

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By touching Jesus’ wounds Thomas received faith, but was the physical touch what made it happen?

My Crude Translation

then he said to Thomas, “Place the finger of you here and see the hands of me, and place the hand of you, and put [it] into the side of me, and [do] not be unbelieving but believing.

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English Standard Version Chapter 20

28

For Sermon

First Reading

Why did Thomas have more prerequisites for his faith than anyone else?

My Crude Translation

answered Thomas, and said to him, “Lord of me, and God of me.”

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English Standard Version Chapter 20

29

For Sermon

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The disciples saw and believed, but how have we come to believe?

This would apply to the first people to read this written account, as well as everyone who came after them.

My Crude Translation

said to him, Jesus, “Because you have seen me, have you believed? Blessed [are] those [who have] not seen and have believed

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English Standard Version Chapter 20

30

For Sermon

First Reading

How can we learn about some of the other signs Jesus did?

My Crude Translation

many, Now, also, other signs, performed, Jesus, in the presence of the disciples which not are recorded in book, this.

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English Standard Version Chapter 20

31

For Sermon

First Reading

For those who believe these words bring life in Christ’s name, but what about those who don’t believe?

My Crude Translation

these [things] But are recorded in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and that [by] believing, life, you may have, in

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