THE EMPTY TOMB JOHN 20:1-9

20:1 Early on the First Day of the Week

The Womb and the Tomb.

How can I recount for you these hidden realities or proclaim what goes beyond any word or concept? How can I lay open before you the mystery of the Lord’s resurrection, the saving sign of his cross and of his three days’ death? For each and every event that happened to our Savior is an outward sign of the mystery of our redemption. Just as Christ was born from his mother’s inviolate virginal womb, so too he rose again from the closed tomb. As he, the only-begotten Son of God was made the firstborn of his mother, so, by his resurrection, he became the firstborn from the dead. His birth did not break the seal of his mother’s virginal integrity. Nor did his rising from the dead break the seals on the sepulcher. And so, just as I cannot fully express his birth in words, neither can I wholly encompass his going forth from the

Mary Comes Looking for Consolation.

For he arose while both stone and seals lay over him. But because it was necessary that others should be fully satisfied, the tomb was opened after the resurrection and what had happened was confirmed. This then was what startled Mary. For being entirely full of loving affection toward her Master, when the sabbath was past, she could not bear to rest but came very early in the morning, desiring to find some consolation from the place.

20:2 Mary’s Report

Women Favored in Mary As First Witness.

Do you see how she did not yet know anything clearly concerning the resurrection? Instead, she thought the body had been removed, which is what she simply tells to the disciples. And the Evangelist has not deprived the woman of such praise, nor did he think it shameful that they should have learned these things first from her who had passed the night in watching. This shows how his love of the truth is on display everywhere.

20:5-7 Detail of the Linens and Tomb

Neatness of Linens Proves No Theft.

When [Mary] came and said these things, the apostles heard them and drew near to the sepulcher with great eagerness. They see the linen clothes lying there, which was a sign of the resurrection. For if they had removed the body, they would not have stripped it first, nor, if any had stolen it, would they have taken the trouble to remove the napkin and roll it up and lay it in a place by itself apart from the linens. They would have taken the body as it was. Therefore, John tells us by anticipation that it was buried with much myrrh, which glues linen to the body not less firmly than lead. He tells us this so that when you hear that the napkin lay apart from the linens, you may not endure those who say that he was stolen. For a thief would not have been so foolish as to expend so much effort on a trifling detail.

 

JESUS APPEARS TO MARY MAGDALENE JOHN 20:10-16

20:10 The Disciples Return Home

The Disciples Go Home, Mary Stays.

As a woman, Mary was full of feeling and more inclined to pity. I say this in case you might wonder how it was that Mary wept bitterly at the tomb, while Peter was in no way affected. For “the disciples,” it says, “went away to their own home.” But she stood shedding tears. This was because hers was a tender nature, and she as yet did not have an accurate account of the resurrection. They . . . saw the linen clothes and believed and then left for their own homes in astonishment. And why didn’t they immediately go to Galilee as they were commanded to do before the passion? They waited for the others, perhaps, and besides they were yet at the height of their amazement. These then went their way, but she remained there.

20:13 Mary’s Sorrow at Losing Her Lord

Angels Initially Silent About the Resurrection.

The angels who appear say nothing about the resurrection. But by degrees the subject is entered on. First of all they address her compassionately, to prevent her from being overpowered by a spectacle of such extraordinary brightness. And they say to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”

20:14 Mary Turns but Does Not Recognize Jesus

Jesus Does Not Want His Appearance to Overwhelm Mary.

But why, after speaking with the angels and not having yet heard anything from them, did Mary turn back? I think that while she was speaking, Christ suddenly appeared behind her and struck the angels with awe. And when they saw their ruler, they showed immediately by their attitude, their gaze and their movements that they saw the Lord. This is what drew the woman’s attention and caused her to turn around. This is how he appeared to them, but this is not how he appeared to the woman in order not to terrify her at the first sight of him. Rather, he appears to her in a more humble and ordinary form, as is clear from her reaction, supposing that he was the gardener. It was appropriate to lead one of so lowly a mind to higher matters not all at once but gently. He therefore in turn asks her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?”

 

ASCENDING TO THE FATHER JOHN 20:17-18

20:17a Do Not Hold Me

The Relationship Has Changed.

Some assert that she asked for spiritual grace because she had heard him say to the disciples, “If I go to the Father, ‘I will ask him, and he shall give you another Comforter.’ ” But how could she who was not present with the disciples have heard this? Besides, such an interpretation is far from the meaning here. And how should she ask such a thing when he had not yet gone to the Father? What, then, does it mean? I think that she still wanted to talk with Jesus like she used to and that in her joy she perceived nothing out of the ordinary in him, although he had become far more excellent in bodily appearance. To lead her therefore from this idea, and so that she might speak to him with more awe (for he no longer appears so familiar with the disciples either), he raises her thoughts so that she is more reverent toward him. To have said, “Do not approach me as you did before, for matters are not in the same state, nor shall I any longer be with you in the same way” would have been harsh and high-sounding. But by saying, “I am not yet ascended to the Father,” it was not as painful to hear, although he was basically saying the same thing. For by saying, “I am not yet ascended,” he shows that he is hurrying and pressing on. He was saying that it was not right for one about to leave for [heaven] and who would no longer converse with human beings to be looked on with the same feelings as before.

 

JESUS APPEARS TO HIS DISCIPLES JOHN 20:19-20

20:19 Evening of the First Day and Locked Doors

Jesus Does Not Delay.

It was likely that when the disciples heard these things from Mary they would either not believe the woman—or if they did believe her, they would be sad that he had not considered them worthy of such a vision even though he promised to meet them in Galilee. Since this was so, he did not let a single day pass so that they might not dwell on this and become distracted. Rather, he brought them to a state of longing by their knowledge that he was risen and by what they heard from the woman. And when they were thirsting to see him and were greatly afraid (which especially made their yearning greater), he then, when it was evening, presented himself before them. And he did so in a very marvelous way. And why did he appear in the “evening”? Because that was probably when they would be especially fearful.

20:20 Jesus’ Hands and Side and the Disciples’ Rejoicing

Jesus’ Prophecy of Joy Comes True.

Do you see the words issuing in deeds? For what he said before the crucifixion, that “I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you,” this he now accomplished in deed. But all these things led them to a most exact faith. For since they had an endless war with the Jews, he continually repeated “Peace be to you,” giving them consolation to counterbalance the strife. And so this was the first word that he spoke to them after the resurrection. (Similarly Paul keeps on saying, “Grace be to you and peace.”). To the women, however, he gives good news of joy, because they were in sorrow and had received this as the first curse. Therefore he gives good news to each in their own situation: to the men he gave peace because of their war; to the women he gave joy because of their sorrow. Then having put away all painful things, he tells of the victory of the cross, and this was the “peace.”

 

THE GIFT OF THE SPIRIT FOR FORGIVENESS JOHN 20:21-23

20:22 The Breath of the Spirit Given and Received

Prepared to Receive the Spirit.

How is it that he says elsewhere, “If I do not go away, he will not come,” and yet he gives them the Spirit here? Some say that by breathing he did not give them the Spirit but prepared them to receive the Spirit by breathing on them. For if Daniel’s senses were so overpowered by the sight of the angel, how would they have been overwhelmed in receiving that unutterable gift, if he had not first prepared them for it! . . . It would not be wrong, however, to say that they received then the gift of a certain spiritual power, not to raise the dead and do miracles but to remit sins. For the gifts of the Spirit are of different kinds.

20:23 The Breath of the Spirit and Forgiveness

The Master Confirms the Sentence of the Servants.

Anyone who considers how much it means to be able, in his humanity still entangled in flesh and blood, to approach that blessed and immaculate Being will see clearly how great the honor is that the grace of the Spirit has bestowed on priests. It is through them that this work is performed, and other work no less than this in its bearing on our dignity and our salvation. For earth’s inhabitants, having their life in this world, have been entrusted with the stewardship of heavenly things, and they have received an authority that God has not given to angels or archangels. Not to them was it said, “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose, shall be loosed.” Those who are lords on earth have indeed the power to bind, but only people’s bodies. But this binding touches the very soul and reaches through heaven. What priests do on earth, God ratifies above. The Master confirms the decisions of his servants. Indeed, he has given them nothing less than the whole authority of heaven. For he says, “Whoever’s sins you forgive are forgiven, and whoever’s sins you retain, they are retained.” What authority could be greater than that? “The Father has given all judgment to the Son.” But I see that the Son has placed it all in their hands. For they have been raised to this prerogative, as though they were already translated to heaven and had transcended human nature and were freed from our passions. Again, if a king confers on one of his subjects the right to imprison and release again at will, that person is the envy and admiration of all. But although the priest has received from God an authority as much greater than that, as heaven is more precious than earth and souls than bodies, some people think he has received so slight an honor that they can imagine someone entrusted with it actually despising the gift. God save us from such madness! For it is patently mad to despise this great office without which we cannot attain to salvation or God’s good promises. For if one “cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven unless he is born again of water and the Spirit,” and anyone who does not eat the flesh of the Lord and drink his blood is excluded from eternal life, and all these things can happen through no other agency except their sacred hands (the priests’, I mean), how can anyone, without their help, escape the fire of Gehenna or win his appointed crown?

Importance of Priestly Vigilance.

You should hold your pastor in high honor. You care about your own affairs, and if you care for them well you won’t have to give an account to anyone else. But your pastor, even if he orders his own life well, if he does not have an anxious concern for your life as well, yes and of all those around him, he is sent to hell with the evil-doers. . . . Therefore, knowing the greatness of their danger, give them a large measure of your goodwill. . . . They should receive your most favorable attention. But if you join with the rest in trampling on them . . . and throw them into despondency, you weaken their hands and render them, as well as yourselves, an easy prey to the waves, no matter how courageous they are. . . . You have respect for secular authorities, but when God appoints do we despise him who is appointed and abuse him and besmirch him with ten thousand reproaches, and though forbidden to judge our brothers, do we sharpen our tongue against our pastors? . . . I am not saying that I approve of those who exercise their pastorate unworthily, but I do greatly pity them and weep for them….And even if there is much to say against the way they have lived their lives, this in no way invalidates what they do by commission from God. . . . But why am I speaking only of pastors? Not even an angel or archangel can do anything on its own. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit do it all while the pastor only furnishes the tongue and the hand. For it would not be right that the salvation of those who come to the sacraments in faith should be endangered by another’s wickedness.

 

JESUS APPEARS TO THOMAS JOHN 20:24-29

20:26 Jesus’ Appearance to Thomas on the Eighth Day

Why the Delay?

And why does he not appear to him immediately, instead of “after eight days”? He does so in order that, in the meantime, being continually instructed by the disciples and hearing the same thing repeated, he might be inflamed with more eager desire and be more ready to believe for the future. But where did he learn that his side had been pierced? He heard it from the disciples. How then did he believe that but not believe the other story? Because the latter was very strange and wonderful. But observe the truthfulness of the disciples and how they hide no faults, either their own or others’, but record them with great veracity. Jesus again presents himself to them and does not wait to be asked by Thomas or to hear any such thing. Rather, before Thomas could even speak, Jesus prevented him and fulfilled his desire, showing that even when Thomas spoke those words to the disciples, he was present. For he used the same words, though in a reproachful manner, and added instruction for the future.

20:27 Put Your Finger Here, and See My Hands

The Signs of the Resurrection.

It is worth inquiring how an incorruptible body showed the prints of the nails and was tangible to a mortal hand. But do not be disturbed. What took place was a matter of condescension. For that which was so subtle and light as to enter in when the doors were shut was entirely lacking all density. But this marvel was shown so that the resurrection might be believed and so that people might know that it was the crucified one himself and not another who rose instead of him. This is why he arose bearing the signs of the cross, and it is also why he eats. At least the apostles repeatedly made this a proof of the resurrection, saying “we, who did eat and drink with him.” As, therefore, when we see him walking on the waves before the crucifixion, we do not say that his body is of a different nature but the same as our own. So after the resurrection, when we see him with the prints of the nails, we do not say that he is therefore still mortal. It was for the sake of the disciple that he appeared in this way.

 

PURPOSE OF THE GOSPEL JOHN 20:30-31

20:30 Many Other Signs in the Disciples’ Presence

Many Signs Before and After the Resurrection.

For as before the resurrection it was necessary that many signs should be done, in order that they might believe that he was the Son of God, so it was also necessary after the resurrection, in order that they might admit that he had arisen. Another reason why he added “In the presence of his disciples” is because he conversed with them alone after the resurrection. Therefore he also said, “The world sees me no more.”

20:31 Believing in Christ the Son of God

Jesus Is Life.

He speaks in general to humankind, showing that it is not the one who we believe in but on ourselves that he bestows a very great favor “in his name,” that is, “through him.” For he is the Life.

 

JESUS AND THE AMAZING CATCH OF FISH JOHN 21:1-11

21:1-2 The Disciples Go Fishing

The Disciples Are Free to Move About and Work.

Do you see that He does not remain with them continually, nor is His presence with them the same as before? He appeared, for instance, in the evening, and then disappeared. Then after eight days He appeared once again, and again He disappeared. Then He appeared later again by the sea, and then another time, causing great awe. But what does John mean when he says Jesus “showed” Himself? It is clear from this that He was not seen unless He condescended to be seen because His body was from this time forward incorruptible and of unmixed purity. But why has the writer mentioned the place? To show that He had now taken away the greater part of their fear so that they now ventured out from their home and went about everywhere. For they were no longer shut up at home but had gone into Galilee to avoid danger from the Jews. Simon, therefore, comes to fish. For since neither [Christ] was with them continually, nor was the Spirit yet given, nor were they at that time yet entrusted with anything and so had nothing to do, they returned to their trade.

The Disciples Bound to One Another.

Having then nothing to do, they went fishing, and they did this at night because they were terribly frightened. Luke also mentions this, but this is not the same occasion. And the other disciples followed because from that time on they were bound to one another, and at the same time desired to see the fishing and use their leisure time well. While they were working and tired, Jesus presents himself before them and does not reveal himself all at once so that they enter into conversation with him.

21:7 Peter and John See the Lord

The Different Responses of Peter and John.

When they recognized Him, the disciples Peter and John again exhibited their different temperaments. The one was more fervent, the other more contemplative. The one was ready to go, the other more penetrating. John is the one who first recognized Jesus, but Peter is the first to come to Him.

 

JESUS INVITES THE DISCIPLES TO EAT WITH HIM JOHN 21:12-14

21:12 Come and Eat

They Were in Awe.

“They knew that it was the Lord,” and therefore they did not ask Him, “Who are you?” But seeing that His form was altered and full of awe, they were greatly amazed and wanted to ask something about it. But fear, and their knowledge that He was not someone else but the same person, checked the inquiry, and they only ate what He created for them by exercising greater power than before. For here He no longer looks to heaven, nor does He perform those human acts He did before, thereby showing that those things that He did previously were done by way of condescension.

21:13-14 Jesus Feeds the Seven Disciples

Looking Forward to Our Resurrection.

Perhaps when you heard these things, you glowed and called those happy who were then with Him along with those who shall be with Him at the day of the general resurrection. Let us then make every effort so that we may see that admirable face. For if when now we hear, we are so enflamed, and desire to have been in those days that He spent upon earth, and to have heard His voice and seen His face and to have approached and touched and ministered unto him—consider how great a thing it will be to see Him no longer in a mortal body or doing human actions but with a bodyguard of angels, being ourselves also in a form of unmixed purity, and beholding Him and enjoying the rest of that bliss which surpasses all language. Therefore I beseech you, let us use every means so as not to miss such glory. For nothing is difficult if we are willing, nothing burdensome if we apply ourselves. “If we endure, we shall also reign with him.”

 

JESUS’ REINSTATEMENT OF PETER JOHN 21:15-19

21:15 Do You Love Me? Feed My Sheep.

Jesus Does Not Bring Up the Denial.

Why, having passed by the others, does he speak with Peter on these matters? He does so because he was the chosen one of the apostles, the mouthpiece of the disciples and the leader of the band. This is why Paul went up, at one time, to inquire of him rather than of the others. And at the same time He does this to show him that he must now be joyful since the denial was put behind him. And so, Jesus entrusts to him primacy over his brothers. He does not bring up the denial, nor does He reproach him for what had taken place. Rather, He says, If you love Me, preside over your brothers, and now show them the warmth of love that you have always shown and in which you rejoiced. And the life that you said you would lay down for Me, now give for My sheep.

Love for Your Neighbor.

There are indeed many other things that are able to give us boldness toward God and to show us bright and approved, but that which most of all brings good will from on high is tender care for our neighbor—which is what Christ requires of Peter here.

21:18 Peter’s Old Age

Young and Old Age Contrasted.

But how is it that after having said, “When you were young,” he added, “When you are old”? By this he meant that Peter was not young at that time (because he was not), though still not yet an old man, but rather one in the prime of life. So why then did He recall to his memory his former life? He did so to make clear to Peter his standard of values. In the eyes of the world the young man is useful, the old useless. In life with Me, Jesus says, this is not the case. Rather, when old age has come on, then nobility shines brighter and courage becomes more illustrious, being unimpeded by youthful passion. This He said not to terrify but to rouse Peter, for he knew about his love and that he long had yearned for this blessing. At the same time he declares the kind of death he will die. For since Peter always wanted to be in danger for His sake, “Be of good cheer,” He says, “I will so satisfy your desire that, what you didn’t suffer when you were young, you will suffer when you are old.”

21:19 A Death That Glorifies God

Peter Will Glorify God.

Christ told Peter not that he would die, but that he would “glorify God.” In this way, we learn that suffering for Christ is both an honor and glory for the sufferer. “And when He had spoken this, He said, “Follow Me.” Here again Jesus alludes to his tender carefulness, and to Peter’s being very closely attached to himself. If anyone should ask, “How then did James assume the see at Jerusalem?” I reply that Christ appointed Peter, not as Bishop of this see, but as Doctor of the whole world.

 

THE BELOVED DISCIPLE JOHN 21:20-23

21:21 Lord, What About This Man?

Peter Speaks Up for John.

Why has Peter reminded us of [ John’s] reclining? Not without cause or by chance but to show us what boldness Peter had after the denial. For he who then did not dare to question Jesus but turned this task over to another was now entrusted with the chief authority over the brothers. And not only does he not commit to another what relates to himself, but he himself now puts a question to his Master concerning another. John is silent, but Peter speaks. He also shows here the love that he had toward him. For Peter greatly loved John, as is clear from what followed, and their close union is shown both throughout the Gospel and also in the Acts. When therefore Christ had foretold great things of Peter and committed the world to his care and had foretold his martyrdom and testified that his love was greater than that of the others, desiring to have John also to share in this with him, he said, “And what shall this man do? Shall he not travel the same road with us?” On that other occasion, because he is not able himself to ask the question, he put John forward. Similarly, now desiring to return the favor and supposing that John would want to ask about matters pertaining to himself but lacked the courage, he himself undertook the questioning.

 

COMMENDATION OF THE GOSPEL JOHN 21:24-25

21:24 The Disciple Who Wrote This Gospel

John Wrote the Gospel out of Love.

Why is it then, that, when none of the others do so, he alone uses these words and that for the second time witnessed to himself? For it seems to be offensive to the hearers. Why then does he do it? He is said to have been the last one who embarked on writing [a Gospel]. Christ had moved and roused him to the work, which is why he continually sets forth his love, alluding to the cause by which he was impelled to write. Therefore he also continually makes mention of it, to make his record trustworthy and to show that he came to this work motivated by that love. “And I know,” he says, “that the things are true that He says.”

21:25 The World Itself Not Big Enough

John Did Not Write to Curry Favor.

And so it is clear, [ John is saying], that I was not writing to curry favor. For I certainly could not have been acting to gain favor when I have not even related as many miracles (of which there were many) as the others have. I have omitted most of them, instead bringing forward the plots of the Jews, the stoning, the hatred, the insults, the reviling and showing how they called Him a demoniac and a deceiver. And so I certainly could not have been acting to gain favor. For anyone who wanted to court favor would have done the opposite, namely, rejecting what was worthy of reproach in favor of the more glorious details. Since then he wrote what he did from full assurance, he does not decline to produce his own testimony, challenging people separately to inquire into and scrutinize the circumstances.

Continually Study and Apply What You Have Learned.

Let us, therefore, pay careful attention to the words, and let us not stop reading and searching them through, for it is from their continual application that we ultimately benefit. We can then cleanse our life so as to cut up the thorns of sin and the cares of the world, which are fruitless and painful. And just as the thorn, however it is held, pricks the holder, so the things of this life, on whatever side they are grasped, give pain to the one who clings and cherishes them. Spiritual things are not like this. They resemble a pearl in that whichever way you turn it, it delights the eyes. . . . Let us then lighten ourselves and expand our horizons as we grow in maturity by getting rid of the evil things of this life and practicing the good. Let us obtain everlasting goods, then, through the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ with whom to the Father and the Holy Spirit be glory, dominion and honor, now and forever, world without end. Amen.

 

Source

Oden, T.C. & Elowsky, J.C. (2007). John 11-21 (The Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, New Testament part IVb). Illinois (U.S.A): InterVarsity Press. Pages 336-398.