John 20

Mary Magdalene Finds the Tomb Open

1On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. 2So she ran to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they put him!” 3Peter and the other disciple went out toward the tomb. 4The two were running together, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and reached the tomb first. 5He bent down and saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not enter. 6Then Simon Peter came behind him and entered the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded separately in one place. 8Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in. He saw and trusted. 9For they did not yet understand the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead. 10Then the disciples returned to their homes.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

11But Mary stood outside near the tomb, weeping. As she wept, she bent down to look into the tomb 12and saw two angels in white sitting where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and one at the feet. 13They asked her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She told them, “They have taken my Lord away, and I do not know where they put him.” 14After saying this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know it was Jesus. 15Jesus asked, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you put him, and I will take him.” 16Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!”—which means Teacher. 17Jesus said, “Do not keep holding on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” and told them what he had said to her.

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

19When it was evening on that first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were because of fear of the Jewish authorities, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace to you.” 20After saying this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you. Just as the Father has sent me, I also send you.” 22After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven them; if you hold any sins, they are held.”

Thomas Sees and Trusts

24Thomas, one of the twelve, called Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said, “Unless I see the nail mark in his hands, put my finger into the nail mark, and put my hand into his side, I will certainly not trust.” 26Eight days later his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace to you.” 27Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Bring your hand and put it into my side. Do not become unbelieving, but trusting.” 28Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have trusted. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have trusted.”

Why This Gospel Was Written

30Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. 31But these have been written so that you may trust that Jesus is the Christ, God’s Son, and so that by trusting you may have life in his name.