Bible Commentary

Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed [are] they that have not seen, and [yet] have believed. 29. Thomas, because, &c.] ‘Thomas’ must be omitted on overwhelming evidence, although the addition of the name seems natural here as in Joh 14:9. ‘Thou hast believed’ is half exclamation, half … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 20:29”

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 28. And Thomas answered ] Omit ‘and.’ This answer and Christ’s comment, ‘because thou hast seen,’ seem to shew that S. Thomas did not use the test which he had demanded. In accordance with his desponding temperament he had underrated the possibilities of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 20:28”

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. 27. saith, &c.] He at once shews to S. Thomas that He knows the test that he had demanded. behold ] Better, see; it is … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 20:27”

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. 26. after eight days ] Including both extremes, according to the Jewish method. This is therefore the Sunday following Easter Day. We are not … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 20:26”

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. 25. print put print thrust … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 20:25”

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 24 29. The Manifestation to S. Thomas and others Peculiar to S. John 24. Thomas ] See on Joh 11:16. the twelve ] See on Joh 6:67. was not with them ] His melancholy temperament might dispose him to solitude … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 20:24”

Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; [and] whose soever [sins] ye retain, they are retained. 23. Whose soever sins, &c.] This power accompanies the gift of the Spirit just conferred. It must be noticed (1) that it is given to the whole company present; not to the Apostles alone. Of the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 20:23”

And when he had said this, he breathed on [them,] and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 22. he breathed on them ] The very same Greek verb (here only in N.T.) is used by the LXX. in Gen 2:7 ( Wis 15:11 ) of breathing life into Adam. This Gospel of the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 20:22”

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace [be] unto you: as [my] Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 21. Then said Jesus ] Jesus therefore said; because now they were ready to receive it. Their alarm was dispelled and they knew that He was the Lord. He repeats His message of ‘Peace.’ … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 20:21”

And when he had so said, he showed unto them [his] hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 20. his hands and his side ] S. Luke (Luk 24:40), who does not mention the piercing of the side, says ‘His hands and His feet,’ and adds that He … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 20:20”