John 20:19-30 Bible Study Plan: Thomas, Belief, and Resurrection

Overview of John 20:19-30

John 20:19-30 may be analyzed in two parts, based on the two distinct occurrences of Jesus Christ's appearance that the passage describes. The first occurs in Thomas's absence, when Jesus appears before his disciples on Easter evening (20:19-25), whereas in the second instance he appears after seven days with Thomas in attendance (20:26-31). The two events may initially be considered individually, followed by an interpretation of them together.

In the first event (20:19-25), the disciples are described as assembled on Easter evening at a dwelling somewhere within Jerusalem or in the holy city's vicinity. Fear causes them to hold a secret meeting. The impact on readers, however, is that they expect a miracle — and they are not left disappointed. A miraculous appearance of the resurrected Christ is witnessed (Hultgren, 2008).

Why the disciples have convened together is not explicitly mentioned. However, the preceding verse (20:18) reveals the evangelist's claim that Mary Magdalene informed the disciples of their Master's resurrection. The Beloved Disciple as well as Peter had visited the tomb during the morning hours; yet only the former held real faith in the resurrection of Jesus (20:8). This could not be said of Peter or the others. The sequel (20:11-18) shows the resurrected Jesus appearing before Mary Magdalene, who recognizes him and informs his disciples of what she saw (Hultgren, 2008).

The First Appearance: Easter Evening Without Thomas (20:19-25)

Four events make up the scene showcased in verses 20:19b-23. First, Jesus emerges among his disciples, greeting them with Shalom — meaning "Peace" — which is the common greeting in Jewish tradition. He is identified by his side and hands, and his disciples are jubilant.

Next, a commissioning ensues (20:21), with Jesus stating that the Father sent him. This has been extensively affirmed — no fewer than forty-one times — within John. God sent Jesus to mankind so that He Himself might be revealed and so that Jesus would preach and make disciples. Moreover, Jesus had pronounced that following his return to God, his ministry would be continued by the disciples (17:18), a statement now seen being fulfilled.

The third event is the "Johannine Pentecost" (20:22). In the view of the Fourth Evangelist, the gift of the Spirit was granted on Easter evening rather than on Pentecost Day — which occurs approximately seven weeks later — as is Luke's account. Jesus instantly commissions his disciples, according them the Spirit as an empowering force for their witness of him.

Finally, the authority to pardon mankind of its sins forms the completion of the series of Easter events (20:23). This reading is also found in Matthew 18:18 and 16:19 (Hultgren, 2008).

References

Hultgren, A. J. (2008, March 26). Commentary on John 20:19-23. Working Preacher. Retrieved September 24, 2017, from http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=887

Magruder, J., Dr. (2016, June 28). How to win your audience's attention for your sermon. Southwestern Assemblies of God University. Retrieved September 25, 2017, from https://www.sagu.edu/thoughthub/6-attention-getting-sermon-introduction-techniques

Moyer, R. L. (2012, January 4). Preaching: 4 ways to gain attention — 3 ways to keep it. ChurchLeaders.com. Retrieved September 24, 2017, from

Nasser, R. (2012, October 4). Preaching the transition. Alban at Duke Divinity School. Retrieved September 24, 2017, from https://alban.org/archive/preaching-the-transition/

Schott, L. A. (n.d.). Immersion Bible studies: Job. Abingdon Press.

Teaching, G. (2012). Learning: A handbook for teachers and leaders in seminaries and institutes of religion.