19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
20 Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”
28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book.
31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Setting the Scene for John 20:19-31
In John chapter 20, we find the scene where the disciples are gathered together in a room, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders. The disciples present in this scene include Thomas, who was not with them when Jesus first appeared to them after His resurrection. The atmosphere in the room is tense and filled with uncertainty as the disciples grapple with the recent events of Jesus’ crucifixion and the rumors of His resurrection.
Suddenly, Jesus appears among them, despite the locked doors, and greets them with the words, “Peace be with you.” His presence brings a sense of calm and wonder to the disciples, who are overjoyed to see their beloved teacher alive. Thomas, who had doubted the reports of Jesus’ resurrection, is invited by Jesus to touch His wounds and believe. This moment of encounter with the risen Christ solidifies the disciples’ faith and marks a turning point in their understanding of Jesus’ identity and mission.
The room where this scene unfolds is likely dimly lit, with the disciples huddled together in fear and confusion. The air is thick with emotions as they process the miraculous appearance of Jesus in their midst. The encounter with Jesus in this locked room serves as a powerful demonstration of His victory over death and His ability to bring peace and assurance in the midst of uncertainty.
What is John 20:19-31 about?
This verse brings us to a powerful moment in the Bible where one of Jesus’ disciples, Thomas, had doubts about Jesus’ resurrection. Thomas famously declared that he would only believe if he could see and touch the wounds of Jesus. Jesus appears before Thomas in this encounter and invites him to see and touch His wounds. Thomas, upon seeing the wounds, finally believes in the resurrection of Jesus. This moment serves as a testament to the power of faith, belief, and the importance of tangible proof for some individuals.
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where doubt crept into your beliefs or faith? Thomas’ story reminds us that it is natural to have moments of doubt, but also emphasizes the importance of seeking the truth and finding ways to strengthen our beliefs. Through this encounter, we are reminded of the significance of experiencing things firsthand and how sometimes, seeing is believing. It challenges us to reflect on how we approach doubt, belief, and how we can deepen our faith even in moments of uncertainty.
Understanding what John 20:19-31 really means
**1. This rich passage covers Jesus’ appearance to His disciples after His resurrection and the story of Thomas’ doubt and subsequent belief. This event occurs on the evening of the first day of the week, when the disciples were together with doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders. Understanding the context can deepen the meaning of the passage for us. The disciples were in a state of fear and confusion, having just experienced the crucifixion of their leader, yet hearing reports of His resurrection.
2. Peace Be With You
A key phrase here is “Peace be with you.” Jesus speaks these words twice when He appears to the disciples. This is not merely a greeting but a profound declaration. Jesus offers peace in the chaos of their emotions and the uncertainty of their future. This echoes His earlier promise in John 14:27, where He says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” This peace is not just the absence of conflict but a deep, abiding sense of well-being and assurance that God is in control.
**3. Jesus breathes on His disciples in this passage and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”” This act is reminiscent of God breathing life into Adam in Genesis 2:7, signifying a new creation. The Holy Spirit empowers the disciples to continue Jesus’ mission. For us today, this reminds us of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, enabling us to live out our faith and serve others.
4. Thomas’ Doubt and Faith
Thomas’ initial doubt and eventual proclamation, “My Lord and my God!” is a significant part of this passage. Thomas is often called “Doubting Thomas,” but his journey from doubt to faith mirrors the journey many of us experience. Jesus does not chastise Thomas; instead, He invites him to believe. This invitation to faith is extended to all of us. Jesus’ words, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed,” encourage us to trust in Him even without physical proof.
5. Relevance Today
This passage is highly relevant today. We live in a world filled with uncertainties and fears, much like the disciples’ situation. Jesus’ offer of peace and the gift of the Holy Spirit are as available to us now as they were then. Thomas’ story reassures us that doubt is a part of faith, and through our questions and struggles, we can come to a deeper understanding and stronger belief.
**6. A member of our congregation once shared how she struggled with faith after losing her job. She felt abandoned and doubted God’s presence in her life. However, through prayer, support from the church community, and reflecting on passages like this one, she found peace and a renewed sense of purpose. Her faith grew stronger through her doubts and challenges.
**7. This passage invites us to embrace Jesus’ peace, welcome the Holy Spirit, and see doubt as a pathway to deeper faith. Reflecting on these themes can offer us comfort and inspiration in our daily lives. How might you invite Jesus’ peace into your current circumstances? Are there areas of doubt you need to bring to Him? Let’s engage with this passage, allowing it to transform our hearts and minds.
How can we have faith without seeing?
According to the verse, we can have faith without seeing by believing in the testimony of others. The disciples told Thomas that they had seen the risen Jesus, and although Thomas initially doubted, he eventually believed based on their word. This demonstrates that faith can be built through the accounts and experiences of others, even if we have not personally witnessed the miraculous events ourselves.
Furthermore, the verse emphasizes the importance of having trust and belief in the unseen. Thomas was encouraged to have faith even though he had not seen Jesus, and Jesus praised those who believed without physically seeing Him. This teaches us that faith requires a willingness to believe in things that are not immediately visible or tangible, relying instead on our trust in God and the testimony of others to strengthen our belief. Having faith without seeing ultimately requires a deep conviction and trust in the truth of God’s word and the experiences shared by others. It is a choice to believe in the unseen and the supernatural, knowing that the evidence of things hoped for and the assurance of things not seen are rooted in a firm foundation of faith.
Application
Imagine working tirelessly at a task but feeling uncertain about the outcome, like waiting for a crucial email with life-changing news. John 20:19-31 pushes us to embrace faith, anchoring ourselves in belief even when we can’t see the full picture. Like trusting your family will support you even when you’re not sure how, this passage invites us to believe in the unseen and share that hope. Are you ready to strengthen your faith and spread this life-changing news?
Reverend Michael Johnson is an experienced Church Minister with a profound expertise in spirituality and guidance. With a serene presence and a compassionate heart, he has faithfully served his congregation for over 20 years, leading them on a spiritual journey towards inner peace and enlightenment. Reverend Johnson’s extensive knowledge of religious philosophies and profound understanding of human nature have made him a trusted confidant and mentor to many, as he seamlessly weaves his profound wisdom into life teachings. Reverend Johnson’s calming demeanor and empathetic nature continue to uplift and heal souls, nurturing a sense of unity and tranquility within his community.