John – Chapter 20

New Testament31 Verses

Chapter Summary

"And on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalen cometh early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre: and she saw the stone taken away…" — so begins John 20. The chapter centers on Thomas, Peter and Mary. Across its 31 verses, two threads run through the text: faith and trust in God and family and covenant relationships. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1And on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalen cometh early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre: and she saw the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

2She ran therefore and cometh to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved and saith to them: They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre: and we know not where they have laid him.

3Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple: and they came to the sepulchre.

4And they both ran together: and that other disciple did outrun Peter and came first to the sepulchre.

5And when he stooped down, he saw the linen cloths lying: but yet he went not in.

6Then cometh Simon Peter, following him, and went into the sepulchre: and saw the linen cloths lying,

7And the napkin that had been about his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but apart, wrapped up into one place.

8Then that other disciple also went in, who came first to the sepulchre: and he saw and believed.

9For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

10The disciples therefore departed again to their home.

11But Mary stood at the sepulchre without, weeping. Now as she was weeping, she stooped down and looked into the sepulchre,

12And she saw two angels in white, sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been laid.

13They say to her: Woman, why weepest thou? She saith to them: Because they have taken away my Lord: and I know not where they have laid him.

14When she had thus said, she turned herself back and saw Jesus standing: and she knew not that it was Jesus.

15Jesus saith to her: Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou? She, thinking that it was the gardener, saith to him: Sir, if thou hast taken him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him: and I will take him away.

16Jesus saith to her: Mary. She turning, saith to him: Rabboni (which is to say, Master).

17Jesus saith to her: Do not touch me: for I am not yet ascended to my Father. But go to my brethren and say to them: I ascend to my Father and to your Father, to my God and to your God.

18Mary Magdalen cometh and telleth the disciples: I have seen the Lord; and these things he said to me.

19Now when it was late the same day, the first of the week, and the doors were shut, where the disciples were gathered together, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst and said to them: Peace be to you.

20And when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord.

21He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you.

22When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost.

23Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them: and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.

24Now Thomas, one of the twelve, who is called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

25The other disciples therefore said to him: We have seen the Lord. But he said to them: Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails and put my finger into the place of the nails and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.

26And after eight days, again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst and said: Peace be to you.

27Then he said to Thomas: Put in thy finger hither and see my hands. And bring hither the hand and put it into my side. And be not faithless, but believing.

28Thomas answered and said to him: My Lord and my God.

29Jesus saith to him: Because thou hast seen me, Thomas, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen and have believed.

30Many other signs also did Jesus in the sight of his disciples, which are not written in this book.

31But these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: and that believing, you may have life in his name.

Important Verses in John 20

She ran therefore and cometh to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved and saith to them: They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre: and we know not where they have laid him.

John 20:2

Jesus saith to her: Do not touch me: for I am not yet ascended to my Father. But go to my brethren and say to them: I ascend to my Father and to your Father, to my God and to your God.

John 20:17

Thomas answered and said to him: My Lord and my God.

John 20:28

But these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: and that believing, you may have life in his name.

John 20:31

Historical Context

John addresses the Church at the close of the apostolic age, led into the mystery of Christ's divinity within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 20 of 21 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 31 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Thomas, Peter, Mary and Mary Magdalen, the principal figures named in this chapter. The passage starts with these words: "And on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalen cometh early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre: and she saw the…" The chapter ends with: "But these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: and that believing, you may have…" Read against its original backdrop, The fourth Gospel begins before creation: 'In the beginning was the Word. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: About AD 90-100, at Ephesus.

Who Wrote It

The Apostle John, the beloved disciple, according to early tradition

When It Was Written

About AD 90-100, at Ephesus

Catholic Commentary

Read at the narrative level, this chapter describes real persons, decisions, and consequences within Jesus as the eternal Word and source of life. A pivotal line is verse 2: "She ran therefore and cometh to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved and saith to them: They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre:…" The passage repeatedly touches on faith and trust in God.

Catholic exegesis reads John 20 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. John's Gospel reveals Christ's divinity most clearly (CIC 241). St. John Damascene and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 113).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God's mercy is greater than any sin; He calls us to receive His forgiveness and extend it to others.

People in This Chapter

Thomas5 mentionsPeter4 mentionsMary4 mentionsMary Magdalen2 mentionsSimon2 mentions

Reflection for Today

John Chapter 20 presents the Resurrection appearances, including the encounter with Thomas that has shaped Catholic understanding of faith. The Catechism teaches that Thomas's confession—"My Lord and my God!"—is "the first clear confession of Christ's divinity" by a disciple (CIC 644). Jesus' response—"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe"—speaks to all subsequent generations.

Jesus' breathing on the disciples and saying "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven"—is understood by Catholic theology as the institution of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Catechism teaches that Christ entrusted to the apostles and their successors the ministry of reconciliation (CIC 1461). The priest acts in persona Christi when he pronounces absolution.

Mary Magdalene's encounter with the risen Lord at the tomb reveals her as "apostle to the apostles"—the first witness of the Resurrection. Catholic tradition honors her as a model of repentance and devotion. This chapter teaches us that the risen Christ comes to us in our doubt and grief, offering peace and commissioning us to continue His mission of forgiveness and reconciliation.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is John Chapter 20 about?

John 20 contains 31 verses. It opens with "And on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalen cometh early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre: and she saw the…" and closes with "But these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: and that believing, you may have…". The book as a whole is gospel.

What is a key verse in John 20?

One of the most significant verses is verse 2: "She ran therefore and cometh to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved and saith to them: They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre: and we know not where…" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in John Chapter 20?

This chapter mentions Thomas, Peter, Mary, Mary Magdalen, Simon.

Who wrote John and when?

The Apostle John, the beloved disciple, according to early tradition. About AD 90-100, at Ephesus.

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