Bible Commentaries

Early on Sunday morning. See notes on Matthew 28:1-8. Mary Magdalene went to the tomb. Mary Magdalene, the other Mary, and Salome start off toward the tomb, and Mary Magdalene evidently goes on ahead to the tomb, arriving there first. She sees the stone taken away, and runs back to the city a different way, to tell the apostles. The other women arrive at the tomb, see the angels, etc, and go back to the city. Peter and Matthew 28:9). The meaning must be: "I haven't gone back yet! Don't hold on to me, but go tell my disciples about this!"

It was late that Sunday evening. [Whether John used Jewish time or Roman time would identify the exact hour of the day. If Jewish time it is before six o'clock, and just getting dusk.] This is the third or fourth time Jesus has been seen on this most unusual day. This is the first time to the group of apostles, and by comparing Mark 16:14-16 and Luke 24:33-36, we learn they were talking about the Resurrection. McGarvey says the fact that they thought Jesus was a ghost (Luke 24:37) shows how little they believed Jesus had raised from death.

He showed them his hands and his side. To convince them he was in his body [resurrection body] and not a ghost. A week later he showed these wounds to Thomas. His resurrection body showed these proofs of his death and his love! Some sixty years later at Patmos, John saw "The Lamb" which appeared to have been killed. It may be that Jesus in Eternity continues in this BODY which shows the evidence of the Cross. If Matthew 28:16-20), and finally completed on the Mount of Olives, just before he was taken up to heaven (Acts 1:8). He had carefully trained these men for just this work.

If you forgive men's sins. From Matthew 16:19, we see that the "keys" were given to all the apostles. How they used these "keys" is seen from Acts 3:26. Jesus placed an obligation upon them [and the messianic community] to announce God's terms of salvation. "You are to open their eyes and turn them from the darkness to the light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that through their faith in me they will have their sins forgiven and receive their place among God's chosen people" (Acts 26:18).

Thomas (called the Twin). He had not seen Jesus up to this point, and was hesitant to believe the Resurrection. He demanded concrete evidence!

And Thomas was with them. This was the second Lord's day! [Christians quickly began calling Sunday the Lord's day, because he rose from death on that day of the week.]

Put your finger here. Jesus had just "passed through" locked doors, which would imply to them he was a ghost. Now he tells Thomas to "put him to the test" to see and feel the REALNESS of his Resurrection.

How happy are those who believe without seeing me! [Happy: see note on Matthew 5:3] Thomas believed by "seeing. " Jesus blesses those who will believe without seeing him in person [on the evidence given by the eyewitnesses]. "For our life is a matter of faith, not of sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Jesus did many other mighty works. Compare John 21:25.

These have been written. This is the goal of the Gospels and the entire New Testament! Christ is REVEALED to all, to produce faith. [It is correct to say that the Holy Spirit produces (gives) faith through the witness of the Word (Bible). See John 16:8-11 and notes] Faith is not "something we believe, even though we know it isn't so." Faith is believing and responding to the Holy Spirit's testimony about God's act in Jesus Christ to set men free. Compare Romans 10:17. Those who choose [follow] this faith of their own free will "have life in his name."