John 20
The King Who Left the Tomb
Lesson Objectives
- Connect the resurrection with God’s earlier promises.
- Explain how the risen Jesus brings His followers to faith.
- Connect His identity with life, mission, and obedient allegiance.
Thesis: The risen Jesus gives life to those who believe in Him as the Christ, the Son of God, and receive His authority.
1. The Empty Tomb — John 20:1–10
Mary initially assumes someone moved the body. The disciples find the linen wrappings and the face-cloth. John records evidence before all its meaning becomes clear.
1. What does Mary observe, and what explanation does she add to that observation (vv. 1–2)?
2. How do Psalm 16:10 and Isaiah 53:8–10 deepen John 20:9? How does Peter explain Psalm 16 in Acts 2:25–31?
Overlooked connection: Psalm 16 promises deliverance from death and decay. Isaiah 53 moves from the Servant’s death and grave to His prolonged days and the fruit of His sacrifice.
2. Mary Becomes a Witness — John 20:11–18
Jesus speaks Mary’s name, then sends her to His brothers. Her first report about a missing body gives way to testimony about the living Lord.
3. Why is Jesus’ name for His disciples in verse 17 significant beside Psalm 22:22 and Hebrews 2:11–12?
Possible echo: Angels sit at either end of Jesus’ burial place (v. 12). Compare the cherubim at the mercy seat in Exodus 25:18–22. John does not explicitly identify this as fulfillment.
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3. Peace, Mission, and Thomas — John 20:19–29
The wounds identify the risen Jesus as the crucified Lord. His peace leads into the disciples’ mission. Thomas resists their testimony, then confesses Jesus as Lord and God.
4. What does Jesus’ breathing on His disciples recall in Genesis 2:7? How does His gift equip their mission (John 20:21–23)?
5. What does John record about Thomas touching Jesus? To whom is Thomas’s confession addressed (vv. 27–28)?
Overlooked fact: Jesus invites Thomas to touch Him, but John does not narrate Thomas doing so. The confession is explicitly addressed to Jesus.
4. Written So That We May Believe — John 20:30–31
John selects signs to establish Jesus’ identity and lead readers to life in His name. The blessing of verse 29 and the written testimony of verses 30–31 belong together.
6. Why does believing without personally seeing Jesus differ from believing without evidence?
7. How do John 3:36, John 14:15, Acts 2:38, and Romans 6:4 keep faith connected with obedience?
Application and Personal Response
Personal: Identify an assumption that needs correction by Scripture. Submit the fear, grief, or resistance behind it to the risen Lord.
Congregational: Encourage honest questions with accurate testimony. Refuse attractive legends and keep the apostolic gospel intact.
Gospel response: Hear Christ, believe, repent, confess Him, be baptized for forgiveness, and live faithfully. Obedient faith receives grace; it does not earn salvation.
Truth to hold:
Obedience to practice:
Error to reject:
Prayer:
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