1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the LORD out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.
4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my LORD, and I know not where they have laid him.
14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the LORD, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the LORD.
21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the LORD. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God.
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
The twentieth chapter of the book of John in the King James Version of the Holy Bible is a pivotal point in the narrative of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a chapter filled with revelations, transformations, and profound implications for Christian faith and theology. The main themes that pervade this chapter are the resurrection, belief, and divine revelation.
The chapter begins with a profound declaration: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Mary Magdalene, a fervent follower of Christ, discovers the empty tomb and rushes to inform Simon Peter and the other disciple. The discovery of the empty tomb is the first indication of the resurrection, a significant event that sets the tone for the rest of the chapter. This event signifies the triumph of life over death, a central theme in Christian theology.
When Simon Peter and the other disciple arrive at the tomb, they find it exactly as Mary described: empty except for the linen cloths that had swathed Jesus's body. The sight of the empty tomb strengthens their belief in Jesus's resurrection, reinforcing the theme of faith that underlies the entire chapter.
Mary, who remains at the tomb, weeping, is the first to encounter the resurrected Christ. However, she does not recognize Him until He calls her by name, signifying a personal and intimate revelation. The act of recognition is not merely a physical one but a spiritual one, emphasizing the importance of personal revelation in the journey of faith.
The resurrected Christ then appears to His disciples, showing them His hands and side. The sight of the physical evidence of His crucifixion dispels their doubts and fills them with joy. The encounter underscores the importance of belief, a recurring theme in the chapter.
Thomas, one of the disciples, is not present during this encounter and declares that he will not believe in the resurrection until he sees and touches Jesus's wounds himself. When Jesus appears again, He invites Thomas to do just that. Thomas's subsequent confession of faith - "My Lord and my God!" - is one of the most profound statements of belief in the New Testament. This narrative underscores the theme of belief, demonstrating that faith often requires personal experience and revelation.
The chapter concludes with an affirmation of the power of faith. John states that Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not recorded in this book. However, the ones that are recorded are written so that readers might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing, they might have life in His name.
This statement encapsulates the purpose of the Gospel of John and, indeed, the entire New Testament: to bear witness to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and to inspire faith in Him. The chapter, therefore, serves as a testament to the transformative power of faith and the promise of eternal life that it brings.
In conclusion, chapter 20 of the Book of John in the King James Version of the Holy Bible is a narrative filled with profound theological implications. It presents the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the personal revelations of His followers, and the transformative power of faith. The chapter serves as a testament to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, underscoring the importance of personal revelation and belief in the Christian faith.
The chapter's narratives serve as a microcosm of the broader Christian journey, from doubt and despair to revelation, belief, and the joy of salvation. The resurrection, which is at the heart of this chapter, is not just a historical event but a spiritual reality that continues to inspire and transform lives. It is a testament to the power of faith and the promise of eternal life, making it a crucial part of Christian theology and faith.
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