John 20:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

NIV: (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)

NASB: For they did not yet understand the Scripture, that He must rise from the dead.

CSB: For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he must rise from the dead.

NLT: for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead.

KJV: For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

NKJV: For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.

Jesus often spoke about His death and resurrection, long before He was arrested and executed (John 2:19–22; Mark 9:31; Luke 18:33; 24:46). Looking back, modern readers often wonder why the disciples struggled to understand. They were likely dealing with resistance. They may have assumed Jesus is speaking in metaphor. Or, that His resurrection would involve a spectacular, earth-shaking display. In the moment, as Peter and John come to investigate an empty tomb (John 20:1–6), they are not mentally prepared to understand that Jesus is alive.

This comment comes as an explanation of John's reaction (John 20:7–8). When Peter went into the tomb, he noticed that the face cloth (John 11:44) in which Jesus was buried (John 19:40) was neatly folded in a separate place. That detail seems to have snapped John's mind to a certain idea: that it was Jesus, now alive, who put it there. Even now, it's likely John does not fully understand everything this implies. He and the other disciples will continue to huddle in fear (John 20:19). However, in some way, John's understanding was greatly helped by this evidence. He "believes."

John 20:1–10 includes the first moments in which Jesus' followers realize He has been resurrected. Mary Magdalene brings Peter and John to the grave after finding it open. John sees the empty grave wrappings and realizes what has happened. Mary will remain behind and encounter a pair of angels, as well as Jesus, soon after. John's chosen details complement those found in Matthew 28:1–10, Mark 16:1–8, and Luke 24:1–12.

Peter and John get a report from Mary Magdalene that Jesus' body is gone. They arrive to find an open grave, and empty grave clothes, along with a folded face cloth. When the two men leave, Mary remains and suddenly encounters a resurrected Jesus. Though she tells the others, they resist believing until they see Jesus in person. Thomas is especially stubborn, and Jesus remarks on how blessed they are to have been given so much proof. John points out that his writing is meant to prove that Jesus is the Messiah, arranged to encourage those who read to come to faith.

Most of Jesus' disciples scattered and hid when He was arrested (Matthew 26:56). Only John and some women were present to see His death and burial (John 19:26–30, 41–42; Matthew 27:60–61). When Jesus' tomb is seen empty, there is further confusion. Jesus appears to His followers, proving that He is alive, and remarking that they are blessed to have so much proof. John will complete his account in the next chapter with another encounter and more reminders about the nature of his writing.

The gospel of John was written by the disciple John, decades later than the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The author assumes that a reader is already familiar with the content of these other works. So, John presents a different perspective, with a greater emphasis on meaning. John uses seven miracles—which he calls “signs”—in order to prove that Jesus is, in fact, God incarnate. Some of the most well-known verses in all of the Bible are found here. None is more famous than the one-sentence summary of the gospel found in John 3:16.