The passage of John 20:19-31 is a cornerstone in Christian scripture, detailing Jesus’s appearances to his disciples after his resurrection. This pivotal text, found in the Gospel of John, addresses themes of fear, doubt, faith, and the very purpose of believing in Jesus Christ. Let’s delve into this significant section to understand its profound meaning and implications for believers today.
On the evening of that first Easter Sunday, as recorded in John 20:19, the disciples were gathered, locked doors and fear of the Jewish leaders gripping their hearts. Into this atmosphere of apprehension, Jesus miraculously appeared, standing among them. His first words, “Peace be with you!”, were not just a greeting, but a powerful reassurance. He then showed them his hands and side, bearing the marks of his crucifixion, solidifying the reality of his resurrected body. The disciples, witnessing this, were filled with overwhelming joy.
Following this initial appearance, Jesus reiterated, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (John 20:21). This commissioning statement marked the disciples’ continuation of Jesus’s mission. He then breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22), bestowing upon them divine power and authority. The passage concludes this section with a powerful declaration regarding forgiveness: “If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven” (John 20:23). This indicates the profound spiritual authority given to Jesus’s followers.
However, the narrative takes a turn with Thomas, one of the twelve disciples, who was absent during Jesus’s first appearance. Upon hearing the others’ testimony, Thomas famously declared, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). This honest expression of doubt has earned him the moniker “Doubting Thomas,” but his skepticism highlights a crucial aspect of faith.
A week later, as described in John 20:26, the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was among them. Despite locked doors, Jesus once more appeared and offered his familiar greeting, “Peace be with you!” Turning specifically to Thomas, Jesus invited him to touch his wounds: “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe” (John 20:27).
This direct encounter shattered Thomas’s doubt, leading to his powerful confession, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). Jesus responded with a profound statement that resonates through centuries: “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). This verse elevates the faith of those who believe without physical proof, a cornerstone of Christian belief for generations to come.
The Gospel of John, as the passage concludes in John 20:30-31, explicitly states its purpose. Jesus performed countless other signs not recorded in this book. However, “these are written 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 20:31). This declaration clarifies that the accounts in John’s Gospel, including the events of John 20:19-31, are intentionally selected and presented to inspire belief in Jesus as the Christ and to lead readers to eternal life through faith in Him.
In conclusion, John 20:19-31 is not just a historical account; it is a powerful message about the resurrected Christ, the nature of faith, and the purpose of the Gospel itself. It reminds us that even in fear and doubt, Jesus offers peace and tangible proof of his resurrection. Ultimately, it calls us to a faith that, like Thomas’s confession, acknowledges Jesus as “My Lord and my God!”, and embraces the blessedness of believing even without seeing.
