Chapter 20:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Lightfoot
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| McGee
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Luke Acts
John 20
Concise Complete
The sepulchre found to be empty. (1-10) Christ appears to
Mary. (11-18) He appears to the disciples. (19-25) The unbelief of Thomas.
(26-29) Conclusion. (30,31)
Verses 1-10 If
Christ gave his life a ransom, and had not taken it again, it would not have
appeared that his giving it was accepted as satisfaction. It was a great trial
to Mary, that the body was gone. Weak believers often make that the matter of
complaint, which is really just ground of hope, and matter of joy. It is well
when those more honoured than others with the privileges of disciples, are more
active than others in the duty of disciples; more willing to take pains, and run
hazards, in a good work. We must do our best, and neither envy those who can do
better, nor despise those who do as well as they can, though they come behind.
The disciple whom Jesus loved in a special manner, and who therefore in a
special manner loved Jesus, was foremost. The love of Christ will make us to
abound in every duty more than any thing else. He that was behind was Peter, who
had denied Christ. A sense of guilt hinders us in the service of God. As yet the
disciples knew not the Scripture; they Christ must rise again from the dead.
Verses 11-18 We
are likely to seek and find, when we seek with affection, and seek in tears. But
many believers complain of the clouds and darkness they are under, which are
methods of grace for humbling their souls, mortifying their sins, and endearing
Christ to them. A sight of angels and their smiles, will not suffice, without a
sight of Jesus, and God's smiles in him. None know, but those who have tasted
it, the sorrows of a deserted soul, which has had comfortable evidences of the
love of God in Christ, and hopes of heaven, but has now lost them, and walks in
darkness; such a wounded spirit who can bear? Christ, in manifesting himself to
those that seek him, often outdoes their expectations. See how Mary's heart was
in earnest to find Jesus. Christ's way of making himself known to his people is
by his word; his word applied to their souls, speaking to them in particular. It
might be read, Is it my Master? See with what pleasure those who love Jesus
speak of his authority over them. He forbids her to expect that his bodily
presence look further, than the present state of things. Observe the relation to
God, from union with Christ. We, partaking of a Divine nature, Christ's Father
is our Father; and he, partaking of the human nature, our God is his God.
Christ's ascension into heaven, there to plead for us, is likewise an
unspeakable comfort. Let them not think this earth is to be their home and rest;
their eye and aim, and earnest desires, must be upon another world, and this
ever upon their hearts, I ascend, therefore I must seek the things which are
above. And let those who know the word of Christ, endeavour that others should
get good from their knowledge.
Verses 19-25 This
was the first day of the week, and this day is afterwards often mentioned by the
sacred writers; for it was evidently set apart as the Christian sabbath, in
remembrance of Christ's resurrection. The disciples had shut the doors for fear
of the Jews; and when they had no such expectation, Jesus himself came and stood
in the midst of them, having miraculously, though silently, opened the doors. It
is a comfort to Christ's disciples, when their assemblies can only be held in
private, that no doors can shut out Christ's presence. When He manifests his
love to believers by the comforts of his Spirit, he assures them that because he
lives, they shall live also. A sight of Christ will gladden the heart of a
disciple at any time; and the more we see of Jesus, the more we shall rejoice.
He said, Receive ye the Holy Ghost, thus showing that their spiritual life, as
well as all their ability for their work, would be derived from him, and
depended upon him. Every word of Christ which is received in the heart by faith,
comes accompanied by this Divine breathing; and without this there is neither
light nor life. Nothing is seen, known, discerned, or felt of God, but through
this. After this, Christ directed the apostles to declare the only method by
which sin would be forgiven. This power did not exist at all in the apostles as
a power to give judgment, but only as a power to declare the character of those
whom God would accept or reject in the day of judgment. They have clearly laid
down the marks whereby a child of God may be discerned and be distinguished from
a false professor; and according to what they have declared shall every case be
decided in the day of judgment. When we assemble in Christ's name, especially on
his holy day, he will meet with us, and speak peace to us. The disciples of
Christ should endeavour to build up one another in their most holy faith, both
by repeating what they have heard to those that were absent, and by making known
what they have experienced. Thomas limited the Holy One of Israel, when he would
be convinced by his own method or not at all. He might justly have been left in
his unbelief, after rejecting such abundant proofs. The fears and sorrows of the
disciples are often lengthened, to punish their negligence.
Verses 26-29 That
one day in seven should be religiously observed, was an appointment from the
beginning. And that, in the kingdom of the Messiah, the first day of the week
should be that solemn day, was pointed out, in that Christ on that day once and
again met his disciples in a religious assembly. The religious observance of
that day has come down to us through every age of the church. There is not an
unbelieving word in our tongues, nor thought in our minds, but it is known to
the Lord Jesus; and he was pleased to accommodate himself even to Thomas, rather
than leave him in his unbelief. We ought thus to bear with the weak,
romans 15:1,2 . This
warning is given to all. If we are faithless, we are Christless and graceless,
hopeless and joyless. Thomas was ashamed of his unbelief, and cried out, My Lord
and my God. He spoke with affection, as one that took hold of Christ with all
his might; "My Lord and my God." Sound and sincere believers, though slow and
weak, shall be graciously accepted of the Lord Jesus. It is the duty of those
who read and hear the gospel, to believe, to embrace the doctrine of Christ, and
that
1 john
Verses 30-31 There
were other signs and proofs of our Lord's resurrection, but these were committed
to writing, that all might believe that Jesus was the promised Messiah, the
Saviour of sinners, and the Son of God; that, by this faith, they might obtain
eternal life, by his mercy, truth, and power. May we believe that Jesus is the
Christ, and believing may we have life through his name.
Chapter 20:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Lightfoot
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| McGee
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Luke Acts
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
