John 21:1–25 Breakfast by the Sea

¹ After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: ² Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. ³ Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. ⁴ But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. ⁵ Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” ⁶ And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. ⁷ Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. ⁸ But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. ⁹ Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. ¹⁰ Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” ¹¹ Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. ¹² Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. ¹³ Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish. ¹⁴ This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead. ¹⁵ So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” ¹⁶ He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” ¹⁷ He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. ¹⁸ Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” ¹⁹ This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” ²⁰ Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” ²¹ Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” ²² Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” ²³ Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?” ²⁴ This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true. ²⁵ And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen. 

Commentary 

Vs. 1-2 ¹ After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: ² Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. 

 Having now appeared to all of the disciples, Jesus will once again show Himself to seven of them. Now these were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, (i.e. “doubting” Thomas), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee; the disciple whom Jesus said when he first saw him, “behold an Israelite in whom is no deceit” ^{John 1:47}, the sons of Zebedee, i.e. James and John and two other unnamed disciples. 

Vs. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. 

 It seems at this point Peter being a leader amongst the twelve had become discouraged, though they all had seen the Risen Lord, there seems a loss of direction for them, of what do we do now? And so here Peter reverts back to what he had always done, and that is go fishing, and so James and John also being previous partners with Peter in that adventure also come, and so does Thomas and Nathanael and the two other unnamed disciples. And so, they go out and spend all night on the Sea of Galilee, casting their nets here and there and yet they catch nothing. For as we will see God will not have them turn back to what He called them out of, rather He has plans for them all! 

Vs. 4 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 

 Having then spent an entire night on the Sea, and yet having nothing to shore for their efforts, they now head back to shore. Now it is there where Jesus is waiting for them, standing on the shore as they approach it, yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus, for they were even more discouraged than when they first set out. 

Vs. 5 Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” 

  Now as they got near shore and within speaking distance of Jesus, He said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” Clearly then by their one word answer they did not yet realize that it was Jesus who was speaking with them. 

Vs. 6 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. 

 And so to reveal Himself to them, Jesus tells them to cast their net on the right side of the boat, telling them that they will find some. And so, they cast their net and to their amazement they were not able to draw the net in because of the multitude of fish! This then harkens back to when the Lord Jesus Christ first called Peter and James and John revealed Himself to them through the same miracle (see Luke 5:1-11). 

Vs. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. 

 The disciple whom Jesus loved is John the writer of this Gospel referring to himself. And so, it was John who first recognized the Lord, when He had done this and so crying out, he said, “It is the Lord!” Now when John had said this Peter in his haste put on his outer garment and jump into the Sea making haste then towards the shore where Jesus was! 

Vs. 8 “But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish.” 

 However, the other disciples were still wrestling with the net full of fish, and so they came in a small boat and dragged it with the net of fish about two hundred cubits or approx. 300ft. to the shore which explains why they were not able to recognize Jesus when they first saw Him on the shore. 

Vs. 9 “Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread.” 

 Now as soon as they came to land, they saw there a fire of coals with fish laid on it and bread. Jesus then had already prepared a breakfast for them. 

Vs. 10-11 ¹⁰ Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” ¹¹ Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. 

 Now when they arrived at shore with the net Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” Now when Jesus said this, Peter immediately went up to net of fish and dragged the net full of fish to the shore. And even though the net was overflowing with fish, one hundred and fifty-three to be exact, yet the net did not break! Which itself is a nice metaphor for who many souls they would bring to the Lord Christ and that as with the fish none of them would be lost, for as the Lord ordained this catch of fish for them, so He would do the same in regards to their being fishers of men for Him. As Jesus Himself says, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” ^{John 6:37} and “This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.” ^{John 6:39} 

Vs. 12 “Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord.” 

 Now when they all arrived at the shore, Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” The disciples then all come to Jesus and take seats around the fire where the fish and bread were that He had prepared for them. There is a solemnity and sense of mystery there as they all quietly sit around the fire, and so none of the disciples dare to ask the “mysterious” stranger who He was, for they all knew that it was Jesus. And so, in that moment they all knew they had once again let Him down by returning to what He had called them out of. And yet Jesus shows that He is neither upset nor disappointed with them, instead He is going to use this moment of having breakfast by the sea with them to now turn their focus back to what they must be doing. 

Vs. 13 “Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.” 

 And so, as the disciples are seated and gazing into the fire, likely reflecting on the many things Jesus had said and done amongst them, Jesus now comes to them and taking some of the bread and fish He gives it to them, thus serving and feeding His disciples just as a parent would its own children. 

Vs. 14 “This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.” 

 The Gospel of John now notes that this is the third time that Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead. However, as we will see, it is at this time that Jesus will now address Peter personally and ask that he carry on His living example of caring for and service towards all of His disciples (consider Mark 10:45). 

Vs. 15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” 

 Having then eaten their meal in silence, Jesus now breaks the silence by saying to Peter in presence of the others, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” To which Peter responds by saying, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” Here though Peter does not use the Greek word agape (Str. 25), rather he uses the word phileo (Str. 5368), which indicates a strong affection for, rather than an unconditional love for. Now Peter does this because he already knows that by his own three denials of Jesus before Christ’s Crucifixion, in trying to save himself from the same, he can no longer boldly claim to love the Lord in that way, as when he boldly said to Him that He would never deny Him. Jesus then having heard Peters response, now says to him, “Feed My Lambs.” Thus, Jesus in now restoring Peter before the others is only concerned that he put his lambs (i.e. His redeemed peoples) care first. And so “Feed My Lambs.” indicates both our spiritual care (i.e., our being fed with the Word of God) as well as our literal care (consider Ezekiel 34). Something which every Pastor has to have in their hearts if they too wish to faithfully follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

Vs. 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” 

 Once again Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him, saying to him, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” And so once again Peter responds in the same way saying, Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” And with that Jesus this time says to him, “Tend My sheep.” Now to Tend the Lord s sheep indicates ongoing care for them, for evangelism is one very important thing, but ongoing discipleship and mentoring and nurturing, and thus building church communities where disciples can grow and mature and thus learn to love and trust each other is also equally important. And so, neither aspect of the Gospel should be forsaken by us who wish to Feed and Tend Christ’s lambs. 

Vs. 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 

 This is now is the third time that Jesus will ask Peter if he loves Him. For Peter had denied Jesus three times, and so now Jesus is giving Peter the opportunity to confess his love for Him, three times in the presence of the others. However, when Jesus asked Peter this third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Now when Peter said that, Jesus once again said to Him, “Feed My sheep. Thus, in doing so Jesus was reiterating that as a shepherd of His lambs he must always be about feeding His sheep. A Pastor then who is not focused on and committed to feeding the Lord Jesus Christ’s lambs then is not one of His pastors. 

Vs. 18-19 ¹⁸ Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” ¹⁹ This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” 

 Now in a rare move, the Lord Jesus having exhorted Peter to Feed and Tend His sheep. Now tells him that when he was young and strong physically, he was self willed, and so he girded himself and walked wherever he wished. However, Jesus now tells Peter that when he is old, and thus no longer reliant on his own physical strength, nor any longer self-willed, that he will stretch out his own hands (indicating his own death on the cross), but not by his own will, but by another’s who will also gird him and carry him where he does not wish. Having then told Peter how he will in his own death glorify God, Jesus now says to Him, “Follow Me.” Thus, Jesus is saying, never again let the fear of death or harm keep you from ever following Me. 

Vs. 20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 

 At this point Jesus must have begun to walk to indicate that when He said to Peter “follow Me”, He literally meant it. Thus, to follow Jesus in this life and for all eternity is every Christians point and purpose for being both created and redeemed by Him and for Him. Now as Peter began following Jesus, he also saw that John also began following Him, who had also leaned on Jesus’ breast at the supper, and who had also asked Him who would betray Him. 

Vs. 21-22 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” ²² Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” 

 Peter then in asking Jesus about John was wanting to know if John would also die a martyr as Jesus told Peter that he would. Now Jesus in responding to Peter’s question told him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” 

 In other words Jesus is saying to Peter, don’t concern yourself about John what I have planned for him, rather concern yourself with following Me!  For our concern and focus is not to be on Jesus’ plans and designs for other believers, rather we are to only concern ourselves with our own walk with Him, (i.e. our following Him). 

Vs. 23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?” 

 Unfortunately Jesus Words did not immediately settle in on them, but instead the brethren initially took Jesus’ Words and thought that He was saying that John would not die, when all Jesus was trying to drive home was that He wanted them, and us all to focus only on our own discipleship with Him, rather than focus on what we think God’s plans are for someone else.  

Vs. 24 “This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.” 

 John now certifies that his testimony is true, that he himself has been an eye witness too both the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ as well as His works recorded in this Gospel which bears his name, which he himself is the sole writer of. 

Vs. 25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen. 

 Now in declaring that he has seen these very works that Jesus did, John in closing also realizes that there are innumerable things that Jesus also did while on earth that not even world itself could contain all the books that would be required to record them. For when the Lord Jesus was here, He was still God, directing everything from the smallest matter in the Universe to everything and anything else that falls under God’s domain, which is everything! And so, when we read the Gospel and we read of Jesus’ healings and miracles and such we are only seeing the very tip of the iceberg as it were! For there are so many things that Jesus does and maintains every single moment of every day that our finite minds simply cannot comprehend it all. Thankfully though we need not be overwhelmed or concerned with all those things, rather He just wants us to keep our finite focus on Him and His Word given to us, amen.  

Scripture Quotations

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

John 20:30–31

 ³⁰ And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; ³¹ 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. 

Commentary 

Here we learn that there were many other signs which Jesus did in the presence of His disciples but are not recorded here in John’s Gospel. Rather those signs that were recorded have been written so that we may all believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you may have life (i.e. new and everlasting life) in His Name.  

Scripture Quotations

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

John 20:19-29

¹⁹ 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, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” ²⁰ When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. ²¹ So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” ²² And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” ²⁴ Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. ²⁵ The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” ²⁶ And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” ²⁷ Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” ²⁸ And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” ²⁹ Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 

Commentary 

Vs. 19 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, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 

 Now it was Sunday evening, which according to Jews calendar is the first day of the week, and the disciples being gathered together in one place with the doors shut for fear of the Jews, that Jesus came and stood in the midst of them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” Thus, in midst of their fears Jesus comes to them and brings peace to them. Something which He not only bestows upon them but us all who believe in Him, having made peace with God for us all through the blood of His Cross, that is through His suffering Crucifixion death for all our sins and transgressions (Col. 1:20). The Lord Jesus Christ is not only the Author and Finisher of our salvation (Heb. 11:2), but He is also the Prince of Peace in our persons and lives. This then is Jesus’ first appearance to all the disciples after His Resurrection. 

Vs. 20 “When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.” 

 To prove to the disciples that it is He, Jesus now shows them His hands and His side. And so, when the disciples saw this, they were glad, that is by His Presence there with them they were transferred from a state of fear to now a state of peaceful joy! This state of peaceful joy then is not for them only in that instance, but is for us all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ because we also always have Him with us (John 14:27; Heb 13:5). 

Vs. 21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 

 Having visited the disciples, and having secured peace for them, Jesus once again now pronounces peace upon them, saying to them, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” In doing so, in both securing their peace and then granting them His peace Jesus now sends them out into the hostile world that they feared, just as He also sends us out into the hostile world that we also fear. For discipleship always means facing our own fears, so that we might do the Will of God which He has ordained and prepared for us to do. Of course, the disciples could not even begin to imagine what this would entail, and all that He would and achieve through them as they followed Him. But that is not for them or for us to know anyway, to know how the whole thing is going to unfold or work out, ours is simply to start the journey in faith and continue on it in faith, letting the Lord then worry about those things that He has Promised to take care of while we follow Him. 

Vs. 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” 

 In the this most beautiful of passages Jesus now breathes on them and says to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Thus, Jesus in doing so harkens back to when God created Adam and breathed into him the breath of life, and so here Jesus now breathes on the disciples the breath of new and everlasting life which would be given each one of them at the Holy Spirit’s outpouring at Pentecost. And thus, is now given each one of us the moment we believe in Him (Eph. 1:13-14). 

Vs. 23 “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 

 Having done so Jesus now says to them, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 

 Now it must be stated here that Jesus was granting the disciples the authority to declare ones sins either forgiven by their belief in and reception of the Gospel, that is the Persson of the Lord Jesus Christ Crucified and Risen from the dead, or to declare ones sins retained because they did not and repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ at their preaching! Again, Jesus saying this to them is directly linked with His sending them out to preach the Gospel. Any power or authority then to remit or retain sins would’ve then been done by them alone solely in accord with one’s reception of or rejection of the Gospel. Now later this Apostolic authority given them by the Lord Jesus Christ was employed by them in their administering the churches affairs, which continues on down to us through their written Word in the New Testament. Thus, their judgments there, and either one’s acceptance of them, or rejecting of them can also entail either the remitting or retaining of sins. That said this is not one’s eternal judgment, for that Judgment alone belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ, rather those judgments there are the judgments that they render in this life. 

Vs. 24-25 ²⁴ Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. ²⁵ The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” 

 Now Thomas who is one of the twelve but he was not there at Jesus’ first Resurrection Appearance to them all, and so when he was told these things by them he likely still hurting from the sting of Christ’s death, said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” 

Vs. 26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 

 It is now eight days since Jesus first Appeared to the assembled disciples Raised from the dead, and so once again the disciples being assembled inside with the doors shut, and this time Thomas also being with them, Jesus once again stands in the midst of them all and says, “Peace to you!” 

Vs. 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 

 Now as Jesus stood in the midst of them, He tells Thomas to put his finger in where the pierce holes are in His hands, as well to put His hand where He was thrust with the spear in His side, having done so He then boldly tells Thomas, (and anyone else who has their doubts), “Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 

Vs. 28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 

 And so, Thomas seeing Jesus raised from the dead and seeing the unmistakable wounds in His flesh, now cries out, “My Lord and my God!” 

Vs. 29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 

 Though Thomas’ exuberant declaration of faith was most sincere, Jesus now lays the ground work for all future saving faith, and that is believing in Him though not seeing Him (consider Gen. 15:6; Heb. 11:1). For that is what Jesus means when He says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”  

Scripture Quotations

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

John 20:11-18

¹¹ But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. ¹² And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. ¹³ Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” ¹⁴ Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. ¹⁵ Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” ¹⁶ Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). ¹⁷ Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ” ¹⁸ Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her. 

Commentary 

Vs. 11 “But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb.” 

 Even though John and Peter had departed Mary remined at the Tomb weeping for her Lord and Savior, for to her mind then He had been stolen away. Now as she remained there weeping Mary stooped down and looked into the Tomb, maybe thinking that she would see Him? 

Vs. 12 “And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.” 

 Now when Mary did, she saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at thee feet where the body of Jesus had lain. 

Vs. 13 ¹³ Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” 

 When Marry did this the angels then asked her why she was weeping, and Mary still caught up her grief said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” 

Vs. 14 “Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.” 

 Now when Mary said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she still in her grief did not realize that it was Jesus. 

Vs.15 ¹⁵ Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” 

 Now when Mary saw Jesus, He asked her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” But Mary supposing Jesus to be the gardener and not yet recognizing Him (for she had not turned to look at Him yet) only wanted to know if he had removed Jesus’ body and if  so where he had lain Him, so that she might take Him away. Mary’s devotion to Jesus and desire to see Him only treated with dignity is incredibly moving and compelling. 

Vs. 16 “Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).” 

 It is then at that moment that Jesus reveals Himself to her by saying to her “Mary”. Now when Jesus addressed her by her name, she turned to Him and immediately she recognized Him, and when she did Mary cried out Rabboni! (which is to say, Teacher). 

Vs. 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ” 

 Now when Mary turned to Jesus and recognized Him, He said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ” Jesus then anticipating that Mary may try to take hold of Him as a mother would her son, now tells her not to do so, because though Risen from the dead He has not yet Ascended back to God His Father in heaven. Therefore, Jesus having appeared to Mary now tells her to go to My brethren and tell them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ Jesus then wants us all who believe in Him, and thus are His brethren, to know and believe that not only has He Risen from the dead, but that His Father is our Father and His God ours! 

Vs. 18 “Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.”  

 Mary Magdalene is now fully named so as not to confuse anyone as to which Mary Jesus had just appeared too. And so, having seen and spoken with the Risen Lord Jesus Christ she now comes with undoubtably great excitement and joy with the news to the other disciples that Jesus is Risen from the dead! Speaking all the things He told her to speak to them.

Scripture Quotations

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

John 20:1–10

¹ Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. ² Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” ³ Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. ⁴ So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. ⁵ And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. ⁶ Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, ⁷ and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. ⁸ Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. ⁹ For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. ¹⁰ Then the disciples went away again to their own homes. 

Commentary 

Vs. 1 “Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.” 

 The first day of the week according to Jewish calendar would be Sunday. And so, it was on this day after the commanded Sabbath rest, that Mary went to the tomb early in the morning while it was still dark. (we need in Matthews Gospel that both Marys’ observed where they laid Jesus body, Matt 27:51) And having arrived at the tomb Mary now to her surprise finds that the stone which covered the entrance of the tomb had been taken away! 

Vs. 2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” 

 Having discovered the empty tomb Mary now runs to tell Simon Peter and John (i.e. the disciple whom Jesus’ loved), that she just came from Jesus’ tomb and found it empty, saying: “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” 

Vs. 3-4 ³ Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. ⁴ So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 

 Therefore, upon hearing the Good News from Mary that Jesus’ tomb is empty, both Peter and John now go out to see the tomb, however their excitement at this news will not allow them to walk, and so they both race to see it, now John outran Peter to the tomb, and thus arrived there first. 

Vs. 5 “And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in.” 

 When John arrived at the tomb he had to stoop down to look inside, now when he did he saw the linen graves clothes lying there, yet for whatever reason John (likely stunned by the sight) hesitated to go in. 

Vs. 6-7 ⁶ Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, ⁷ and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. 

 Now Peter following John, when he arrived at the tomb, he went into it and there he saw the linen cloths lying there by themselves, as well there was the handkerchief that was around Jesus’ head neatly folded up and placed by themselves. This then was not something someone would have done if they had taken the body of Jesus, that is first remove the graves clothes from Him and then carefully fold up His linen handkerchief! 

Vs. 8 “Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed.” 

 When John saw that Peter had gone into the tomb, he also entered it, and when he saw that Jesus was not there and how everything was he also believed! That is both he and Peter believed that Jesus has Risen from the dead! 

Vs. 9 “For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.” 

  Up until that moment the disciples though Jesus had told them that He was going to rise again, (Mark 8:31; Luke 9:22; 24:7 etc.) but they had not been able to understand what all this entailed, or even how this would or could take place. And so not until they saw Jesus Christ’s empty Tomb did the pieces of their understanding start to fall into place, for in the Scripture this was even foretold them (consider Luke 24:44; Psalm 16:10). 

Vs. 10 “Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.” 

 Having seen Christ’s empty Tomb both John and Peter now depart each to their own homes, for as yet they did not know what was still to come! 

Scripture Quotations

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

John 19:38–42

³⁸ After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. ³⁹ And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. ⁴⁰ Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. ⁴¹ Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. ⁴² So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby. 

Commentary

Vs. 38-39 ³⁸ After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. ³⁹ And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 

 After Jesus’ Crucifixion death there was a man named Joseph of Arimathea who being a disciple of Jesus but secretly, for fear of the Jews, that is what they would do to him if he openly confessed Jesus Christ, now taking courage comes to Pilate to ask Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus and give Him a proper burial. Now that Joseph was able to come to Pilate the Roman governor and ask him directly for the body of Jesus, and that Pilate readily granted Joseph his request indicates that Joseph was an influential man of no small means. Now when Joseph came to take Jesus’ body, Nicodemus who first came secretly to Jesus at night to ask questions of Him (see John 3) and who later subtly defended Him before his Jewish counterparts (John 7:50-51), now likewise openly comes bringing about a hundred pounds of myrrh and aloes so as to prepare the body of Jesus for a dignified burial. Both of these men then by doing so were not only casting aside their fears and concerns for their own reputations and standing in the Jewish community, but they were now taking their stand with the Lord Jesus Christ! A move that everyone of us will at some point also have to make. For to be ashamed of the Lord Jesus Christ, as a believer, or disciple, or follower, or however you want to word it, is ultimately to have none of Him (Mark 8:38)! 

Vs. 40 “Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.” 

 Having then received permission to take down the body of Jesus Christ from Pilate, Joseph having taken down the body, they then take it away and prepare it for burial, by bounding it in strips of linen with the spices they brought as was the custom of the Jews to bury. 

Vs. 41 “Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.” 

 The garden mentioned here is not Gethsemane, but was a garden which was near the Crucifixion sight. Now in that garden was a new tomb in which no one had been laid, a tomb which Joseph who was a wealthy man had hewn out of the rock (Matt. 27:60), thus fulfilling the prophecy in Isaiah (Isiah 53:9). 

Vs. 42 “So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.” 

Now Jews Preparation day (i.e. Friday) was when they laid Jesus’ body in the tomb. Now their urgency in doing so before the Sabbath was in itself their unknowingly partaking in fulfilling the Word of the Lord that He would be three days and nights in the heart of the earth (Matt. 12:40 gleaned from Believers Bible Commentary). 

Scripture Quotations

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

 

John 19:17–37

 ¹⁷ And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, ¹⁸ where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. ¹⁹ Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS ²⁰ Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. ²¹ Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said, “I am the King of the Jews.” ’ ” ²² Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” ²³ Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. ²⁴ They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.” Therefore the soldiers did these things. ²⁵ Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” ²⁷ Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. ²⁸ After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” ²⁹ Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. ³⁰ So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. ³¹ Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. ³² Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. ³³ But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. ³⁴ But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. ³⁵ And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. ³⁶ For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” ³⁷ And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”

Commentary 

Vs. 17-18 ¹⁷ And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, ¹⁸ where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. 

 Jesus now bears His cross where He is taken to a place outside the walls of Jerusalem (Heb. 13:12) called: “The Place of a Skull,” which is also called in Hebrew, Golgotha (i.e. Calvary, Luke 23:33, from the Latin Calvaria, Eerdmans Bible Dictionary). This site then was the execution site which itself not only had the look of death, i.e. “place of the skull” but very likely it would’ve born the smell of death. And so, it is here that they Crucify the Lord of Glory, and along with Jesus Christ they also crucified two others with Him, one on either side of Him, with Jesus in the center, and thus they fulfilled the Word of God which states that Jesus would not only die for sinners, but would be die with them, i.e. the Lord Jesus Christ was numbered with transgressors (Isaiah 53). 

Vs. 19-20 ¹⁹ Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS ²⁰ Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. 

Pilate then before Jesus’ is Raised up on the Cross now writes a title and puts it in the Cross, which read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Now this title was written in three different languages, the first was Hebrew which was Jesus’ and the Jews native tongue. The next was Greek which was then the universal language of the known world, kind of like English is today. The third was Latin which was the official language of the Roman Empire. By doing so Pilate made it possible for anyone who could read to be able to read the Lord Jesus Christ’s designation and “charge.” And so being so near Jerusalem many Jews read this title, which maybe indicating that many Jews intentionally came to this site to see Jesus Crucified.

Vs. 21-22 ²¹ Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said, “I am the King of the Jews.” ’ ” ²² Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” 

 Now before Pilate placed the sign on Jesus Christ’s Cross designation Him as the King of the Jews the chief priests objected and wanted him to write that Jesus said He was the King of the Jews, not that He was the King of the Jews. However, Pilate is unmoved by their petition, and instead he sticks to what he has written. Thus, Jesus Christ’s Cross will forever bear the title that He is the King of Jews who along with the Gentiles Crucified Him. 

Vs. 23-24 ²³ Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. ²⁴ They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.” Therefore the soldiers did these things. 

 Now before the soldiers Crucified Jesus, they in fulfillment of prophecy about His death also cast lots for His clothing, before dividing up them amongst themselves. Now this prophecy was given through King David roughly a thousand years before it occurred (Psalm 22:18) whose throne was established so that the Lord Jesus Christ could reign on it forever. 

Vs. 25 “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.” 

 The Scripture now records that there were four women also standing by the Cross of Christ. First mentioned is Jesus’ mother Mary, then Mary’s sister is mentioned, third is another Mary who was the wife of Clopas, and finally Mary Magdalene was also there. 

Vs. 26-27 ²⁶ When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” ²⁷ Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. 

 Even in Jesus’ suffering He did not neglect His own. And so here Jesus seeing that they had drew near to Him now knowing that He was soon going to die now tells Mary to take John as her own son, having done so He now looks to John and tells him to take Mary as his own mother. From that hour on then John the disciples took Mary to his own home. 

Vs. 28-30 ²⁸ After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” ²⁹ Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. ³⁰ So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. 

 The Scripture now records the hours of darkness that came over the land that preceded Jesus’ actual physical death when God the Father having forsaken Him to fulfill the Scripture, and Jesus having born all our sins alone on the Cross, now in a finial plea cries out, “I thirst!” Now some there upon hearing this this try to offer Jesus some comfort and mercy by filling a sponge with sour wine and putting it on hyssop and raising it to His mouth. Now this event should not be confused with the soldiers who tried to give Jesus an elixir of wine/vinegar in fulfillment of Psalm 69:21 much earlier which Jesus refused to drink because He had to bear the full brunt and pain of all our sins. Therefore, having now received the sour wine, Jesus says, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. Jesus then gave His Life so that we all could have new and everlasting Life the moment we believe in Him! 

Vs. 31 “Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.” 

 With Jesus’ death occurring on a Sabbath of the Passover, therefore it is referred to a high day, the Jews requested that Pilate break the legs of Jesus and those crucified with Him so as to hasten their deaths, and or make sure that Jesus was dead. 

Vs. 32 “Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him.” 

Therefore, the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two prisoners who were crucified with Jesus. This was done so that they could no longer raise themselves up to breath and thus they would’ve in a very short time suffocated to death. 

Vs. 33-34 ³³ But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. ³⁴ But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 

However, when the soldiers came upon Jesus, and seeing that He was already dead, that He was no longer trying to raise Himself up to breath, one of the soldiers took His spear and thrust it into Jesus’ side likely to make sure Jesus was dead. 

Vs. 35-37 ³⁵ And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. ³⁶ For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” ³⁷ And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.” 

 Amazingly then that solider by doing so unwittingly fulfilled the Word of God about the Passover Lamb which says, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” (Exodus 12:46). As well another Scripture, specifically the prophecy found in Zechariah 12:10 which says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.” Which itself is referring to the end times when believing Jews will look upon the Lord of Glory Jesus Christ whom they Crucified and will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only Son! And so, in order for that prophecy to be fulfilled it, must happen there at Christ’s Crucifixion whom they Crucified that Jesus be pierced by them.

Scripture Quotations

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

John 8:1–11

¹ But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. ² Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. ³ Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, ⁴ they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. ⁵ Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” ⁶ This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. ⁷ So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” ⁸ And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. ⁹ Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. ¹⁰ When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” ¹¹ She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

 Commentary

Vs. 1 “But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.”

 Continuing on then from the dispute about the Lord Jesus Christ which ended with everyone departing to their own house. Jesus now also departs and goes to the Mount of Olives, which was not far from the Temple. For outside of its historic and prophetic significance, the Mount of Olives became a sort of refuge for Him when He wanted to pray, specifically the Garden of Gethsemane. Thus, many key events also happened, or originated from here, i.e. Jesus’ being proclaimed as King as He came down from the Mount of Olives and took the road to Jerusalem, and upon entering it cleansed the Temple for the finial time (Matt. 21:1-17). As well it was likely while coming down from here that Jesus foreseeing Jerusalem’s destruction wept over it (Luke 19:41-44). But the most significant before His being betrayed on it is Jesus’ having foretold of the Temples destruction (Matt. 24:1-2) will now give what has become to be known as His Olivet discourse. And so it was while being seated on the Mount of Olives with His disciples and observing Jerusalem in the distance, Jesus told the disciples of its destruction, the signs of the end of the age, the Great Tribulation, and His own Return, as well He gave us some critical parables to observe before His Return (Matt. 24:1-25:26). Finally on the night of His betrayal, after instituting the Lords Supper, (and thus ushering in the New Covenant), Jesus along with the eleven (Judas Iscariot having departed from them to betray Him), they went out from the upper room singing hymns because they were looking forward to His Coming Kingdom, and so coming to the Mount of Olives and Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus knowing that His time to be betrayed and suffer and die on the Cross had come, came here with the eleven to pray for strength, and it was here that His praying became so intense that His sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground (Matt. 26:36-46; Mark 13:32-42; Luke 22:39-46, vs. 44). Therefore, having resolved within Himself to face the Cross that awaited Him, Jesus went out in boldness to face Judas Iscariot and the murderous mob assembled with him. Thus, it was there on the Mount of Olives, in the garden of Gethsemane, that Jesus was taken by lawless hands and later Crucified. Nonetheless it was from the Mount of Olives that the Lord Jesus Christ having Risen from the dead, three days later, would Ascend forty days later back to God in heaven in the Presence of His disciples (Acts 1:1-11)! The mount of Olives then was the scene of some of the most crucial events during Jesus’ time down here.

Vs. 2 Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them.

 Coming down then from the Mount Olives very early in the mourning Jesus once again comes into the Temple, and all the people came to Him, not to their scribes and Pharisees gathered there, not to their priests and Levites serving there, but to the Lord Jesus Christ, because He alone has the Words of everlasting life! And so, it was when they came to Him, He sat down and taught them. Think about the informality of this wonderful gathering which was so unlike what took place inside the Temple, where male Jews were assigned one section, (and in this there would’ve been a hierarchal order), woman were assigned to another section, while the Gentiles were relegated to a court, the Court of the Gentiles, which was on the outer and lower most part of the Temple grounds. And so, it was when Jesus entered the Temple grounds and the people came to Him, Jesus seated Himself, and the people (not their leaders and rulers), but just ordinary people, sat all around Him and listened to Him teach. Just a beautiful and serene scene!

Vs. 3-6 ³ Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, ⁴ they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. ⁵ Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” ⁶ This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.

 However, its not long before the scribes and Pharisees grossly and rudely interrupt this peaceful gathering by forcefully presenting a woman to Him in the midst of the crowd, and saying to Him that they have just caught her in the act of adultery! Now obviously they chose this moment to interrupt Him so as to publicly undermine Him in the presence of all gathered there. For all the people knew the Law that adultery was to be punished by stoning death. And the Pharisees also knew that Jesus had a propensity for mercy not judgment, and so if He tried to pardon her then they would have immediate grounds by which they could accuse Him before the people. Thus, under the guise of upholding justice and righteousness they now recall to Him and the people there that Moses in law said that such an individual should be stoned, and having said as much they now ask Jesus, “But what do you say?”             However, as verse six makes it clear they were not seeking to uphold truth and justice, nor were they concerned about preserving the moral purity and character of the nation, they were only interested in entrapping Jesus in a judgment by which they could accuse Him. Now upon their finishing their accusation of her, Jesus being seated with the woman standing and very likely trembling before Him, stoops over and begins writing on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. Now what Jesus wrote on the ground we do not know, (it was not preserved in the Scripture for us), however if He wished it to be preserved it would’ve been! And in fact, it may already be, if Jesus was writing the Scriptures as many believe He was. For this was a common practice in ancient times to write out Scripture verses in this manner.

Vs. 7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”

And so with Jesus seemingly ignoring them they become even more adamant and continue to press Him for a response to either condemn her as they have, or release her, so they can accuse Him either way. Therefore, with their pressing Him for a response, Jesus now raises Himself and says to them all, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” Which is such a righteous response to these wicked men’s plot and scheme, for Jesus not only upholds the Law but He also makes it clear that before they do so they need to examine themselves to see if they themselves are without sin. Now Jesus’ doing this was not done so as to normalize or rationalize people’s sins. But this as we will see He was saying so that by their own judgment and verdict of themselves He could release her.

Vs. 8-9 ⁸ And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. ⁹ Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last.

And so, having said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” Jesus once again stoops down and begins to write on the ground again, (vs. 8) and so it was as the men who had brought the woman to her heard this saying from Jesus, being convicted by their conscience, they went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last! For no man can stand in the Presence of God on his own righteousness and feel confident to condemn another.

Vs. 10-11 ¹⁰ When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” ¹¹ She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

 Notice that only after they all had departed then Jesus raised Himself up to speak with the frightened and publicly humiliated woman. For they had all raised themselves up for her judgment, but He only raised Himself up for her pardon. And so, it was when Jesus ask her if there were any accusers left to condemn her, and she said “No one Lord.” Jesus then said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

 

Scripture Quotations

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson.