📖 John — Chapter 20 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
John 20:1 The Rfirst 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.
John 20:2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and Rto 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.
John 20:3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.
John 20:4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did Routrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
John 20:5 And he stooping down, and looking in, Rsaw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
John 20:6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
John 20:7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
John 20:8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, Rand he saw, and believed.
John 20:9 For as yet Rthey knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
John 20:10 Then the disciples Rwent away again unto their own home.
John 20:11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
John 20:12 And Rseeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
John 20:13 And they say unto her, RWoman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my LORD, and I know not where they have laid him.
John 20:14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, Rand saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
John 20:15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? Rwhom 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.
John 20:16 Jesus saith unto her, RMary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
John 20:17 Jesus saith unto her, RTouch 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.
John 20:18 Mary Magdalene Rcame and told the disciples that she had seen the LORD, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
John 20:19 Then Rthe 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.
John 20:20 And when he had so said, Rhe shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the LORD.
John 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, RPeace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
John 20:22 And when he had said this, Rhe breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
John 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
John 20:24 But RThomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
John 20:25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the LORD. But he said unto them, RExcept 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.
John 20:26 And after Reight 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.
John 20:27 Then saith he to Thomas, RReach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, RMy LORD and my God.
John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: Rblessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
John 20:30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
John 20:31 But Rthese 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.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
John 20:1–18 — The empty sepulchre and Mary’s encounter announce resurrection
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Mary finds the stone removed and informs Peter and the other disciple, who inspect the grave clothes. Remaining outside, she encounters angels and then Jesus, recognizes his voice, and carries his message to the disciples.
Key Truth: Receive the resurrection witness with attentive faith.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Then went in also that other disciple, which came ____ to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.” (John 20:8)
Find it in John 20:8 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “____ the disciples went away again unto their own home.” (John 20:10)
Find it in John 20:10 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “Jesus saith unto her, ____ . She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which …” (John 20:16)
Find it in John 20:16 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
John 20:19–23 — The risen Jesus meets the fearful disciples
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Jesus comes to the gathered disciples, speaks peace, and shows his hands and side. He commissions them in relation to the Father’s sending, speaks of the Holy Ghost, and addresses remission and retention of sins.
Key Truth: Let resurrection peace lead to faithful responsibility.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “… the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for ____ of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, …” (John 20:19)
Find it in John 20:19 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “Then said Jesus to them again, ____ be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even …” (John 20:21)
Find it in John 20:21 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “Whose ____ sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose …” (John 20:23)
Find it in John 20:23 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
John 20:24–31 — Thomas’s confession and the gospel’s purpose direct belief
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Thomas initially refuses the others’ witness but later sees Jesus and confesses him as his Lord and God. Jesus speaks of those who believe without seeing, and John states that the written signs serve belief and life in Jesus’ name.
Key Truth: Receive the recorded witness as an invitation to faith and life in Christ.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “And ____ answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God.” (John 20:28)
Find it in John 20:28 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And Thomas ____ and said unto him, My LORD and my God.” (John 20:28)
Find it in John 20:28 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “… that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the ____ of God; and that believing ye might have life through …” (John 20:31)
Find it in John 20:31 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
1 Corinthians 15:5 — Paul also remembers the risen Christ’s appearance to his followers.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
How can the written witness move you toward a more faithful response to Jesus?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes John 20:1–18 (The empty sepulchre and Mary’s encounter announce resurrection) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes John 20:19–23 (The risen Jesus meets the fearful disciples) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes John 20:24–31 (Thomas’s confession and the gospel’s purpose direct belief) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. What blessing extends beyond Thomas' experience of seeing?
5. What purpose explains the selection of written signs?
Notes
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