by Gary L. Evans
(revised 7/28/2023)
The Resurrection — Part 14
Joh 20:1-2 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
The “other disciple whom Jesus loved” was John. And this is John’s account of the resurrection. It was common practice that an author would not identify himself openly when teaching about an historic event that included himself, and so it was with John.
We just reviewed the account of Luke who wrote in a clear, concise language. John provides more detail of the events leading up to our Lord’s ascension and was an eye-witness, whereas Luke gained his knowledge from the disciples who testified of what they saw.
Joh 20:3-7 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
The cloth that had been wrapped around The Lord’s head was folded and placed separate from the clothing, indicating that it had been removed last after the body had been unclothed and moved.
Joh 20:8-9 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
Peter and John, as they saw these things, did not yet know The Scriptures that told of The Lord’s resurrection.
Psa 16:10-11 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
The Lord’s body was not to suffer decay. And even after the death of His body in the flesh, The Most High would show Him Eternal Life, and at The Right Hand of The Most High He would enjoy pleasure for The Eternity.
Joh 20:10-12 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
Two angels appeared in the tomb, one at the front or where the head would have been placed and the other at where the feet of The Lord would have been laid.
Joh 20:13-15 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
Mary did not recognize Jesus Who had appeared and begun talking with her, but thought he must have been the gardener tending to the grave site.
Joh 20:16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
When He called her by name, she suddenly recognized Him.
Joh 20:17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
The phrase “touch me not” is an Hebraism that means “don’t slow me down.” Jesus had resurrected but still had much to do before His ascension.
Joh 20:18-19 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
Mary ran back to the disciples and told them what she had seen. And that evening they were inside the room where they had assembled together and locked the doors because they were afraid of the murderous Kenites. Suddenly Jesus appeared standing right there in the middle of their assembly.
Joh 20:20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
Jesus showed them His hands and feet to prove to them His true identity, so that they would not doubt.
Joh 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
Then Jesus commissioned His disciples to teach as He taught.
Joh 20:22-23 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
The Lord gave them The Holy Spirit with the authority to forgive offenses or to retain them, and their decision would be final on earth and in Heaven.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
The Resurrection — Part 15
Joh 20:24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
The name “Didymus” means “twins” which implies “double-minded.”
Joh 20:25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
Even after the other disciples testified that they had seen Jesus since His resurrection, Thomas refused to believe.
Joh 20:26-27 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
Eight days later Thomas was in the meeting room with the other disciples, with the doors locked as usual, and The Lord suddenly appeared so that Thomas could see for himself.
Joh 20:28-29 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Everyone who believes, even though not having seen, will be very happy, because they have put their trust in The Word of God.
Joh 20:30-31 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
These historical events were Written so that we would be able to believe in Christ Jesus in The Last Days and to inherit Eternal Life through His Name.
Joh 21:1-3 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.
These disciples decided to go fishing. Now Peter was a fisherman by profession, so this was a logical thing for him to want to do.
Joh 21:4-6 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
They did not know that Jesus had appeared before them, just some stranger on the shore, but after He told them a better way to fish which proved to be miraculously effective, they figured it out.
Joh 21:7-9 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
Now how did Jesus happen to have bread and fish cooking on a fire already just as they arrived? He may have caught the fish, but where did He get the bread? This appears as another miracle performed by Jesus, added to the miracle He just did for the disciples so they could catch a very large number of fish.
Joh 21:10-14 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
The Resurrection — Part 16
Joh 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
Jesus gave Peter the title “son of Jonah.” The word “Jonas” is from the Greek “ee-o-nas’” which means “Jonas (that is, Jonah).” It is from the Hebrew “yo-naw’” which means “a dove (apparently from the warmth of their mating).” So this title is more clearly translated as “son of the dove.” It is also the name of the prophet Jonah whom The Lord sent to preach against the Assyrian city of Nineveh.
Joh 21:16-17 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Peter was grieved because Jesus said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? Three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him, and each time after Peter affirmed that he did, Jesus commanded him to feed His sheep, referring to our Lord’s claim that He was The Good Shepherd.
So it is clear that the goal of everyone who loves Christ should be to study God’s Word sufficiently until they are able to provide The Bread of Life to God’s People, in other words, to follow The Lord’s example and to be a good shepherd. Each of us can have at least some talent in this work if we try and pray for it.
Joh 21:18-19 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
According to secular history, Peter was eventually crucified upside down, because he refused to die exactly as our Lord did when He was crucified, because Peter felt that he was unworthy.
Joh 21:20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
The “disciple whom Jesus loved” was John.
Joh 21:21-22 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
Peter wanted to know what was going to happen to John. Jesus basically answered that it was none of his business. But according to secular history, since every other attempt to kill John had failed, they finally boiled him alive in oil.
Joh 21:23-25 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
The Resurrection — Part 17
Mat 28:1-2 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
Matthew provides a little more detail of these events, which when added to the records of the other Gospel writers, gives us a better understanding of what took place at the resurrection.
There was an earthquake that morning, and an angel moved the stone away from the opening of the tomb.
Mat 28:3-7 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
The angel told the women that Jesus had risen from the dead and would appear to the disciples in Galilee.
Mat 28:8-10 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
Then Jesus met the women and told them that He would appear before the disciples in Galilee.
Mat 28:11 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
The soldiers who had been guarding the tomb went to the priests and told them what had happened.
Mat 28:12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
The murderous hypocrites, no doubt but with a few Kenites mixed in among them, paid the soldiers money to bear false witness.
Mat 28:13-15 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
The last thing those murderers wanted people to find out about was that Jesus had risen from the dead, because they were the very ones who had stirred up the mob to have Him crucified.
Mat 28:16-20 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
The Resurrection — Part 18
Mark 16:1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
Mark provides another view of the resurrection which gives us additional knowledge of these events. Mark was not one of the twelve disciples, but apparently was perhaps as young as an adolescent who stayed off to the side but watched and listened intently during our Lord’s ministry, because he writes as though he was an eyewitness.
Mark only gives us one hint as to his identity in his Gospel. As was customary, an author was reluctant to identify himself when he was actually in a given account that he wrote about.
Mark 14:50 And they all forsook him, and fled.
When the temple guards came to arrest Jesus, the disciples all ran away leaving Jesus there alone.
Mark 14:51-52 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.
But there was a young man off to the side found by the guards who tried to catch him, but he managed to get away. That young man no doubt was Mark who had been secretly watching and listening. There is no other reference of this youth in Scripture, but the Lord’s Disciples would later respect Mark as an eye witness of Jesus’ Ministry.
Mark16:2-8 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.
The angel told the women that Jesus had risen from the dead and would meet The Disciples in Galilee, just as He had told them before His crucifixion.
Mark 16:9-14 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
The Disciples did not believe the women who told them that Jesus had risen. When Jesus appeared to them, He rebuked them for not believing the women.
Mark 16:15-16 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Our Lord declares the great division between those who will be saved from The Second Death from those who will not be saved. The division is based upon the sincere belief of some and their subsequent “full immersion” (baptism) in The Word of God, or for all others because of their unbelief.
Mark 16:17-18 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Those who believe receive The Holy Spirit, The Comforter, and by the Authority of Christ are empowered to cast out unclean minds (of fallen angels), to speak with foreign languages, to confront the Kenites, the seed of The Serpent, to endure any false doctrine without being deceived (poisoned), and to heal the sick.
Have you ever met a true Christian? There aren’t very many in this Satanic world.
Mark 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
Our Lord ascended into Heaven.
Where is that? And by what mode of transportation did our Lord travel there? He’s coming back, you know, the very same way He left, so understanding these things may be important if you happen to be alive in the flesh at that time.
Mark 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.