The Resurrection of Christ

John 20:1–10 (NKJV)

The Resurrection of Christ

Matt. 28:1–8; Mark 16:1–8; Luke 24:1–12

20 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.

Message

I. The Empty Tomb Witnessed by Mary, Peter, and John (1-8)

1.1 The Stone taken away

According to Jewish custom, a new day begins at sunset, around 6 PM. Jesus was buried before 6 PM on Friday. Saturday was the Passover Sabbath. The first day of the week was Sunday, and Mary Magdalene went to the tomb, while it was still dark (1^a). ‘while it was still dark’ shows that the time was before the sunrise, likely between 3 AM and 6 AM. She saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb (1^b). 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.” (2)

1.2 The Linen Cloths and folded handkerchief

Peter and John ran to the tomb (3). John came to the tomb first, stooped down, looked in and saw the linen cloths lying there, but he didn’t go in (4, 5). Then, Peter came and entered the tomb first. Peter saw the linen cloths lying there (6), and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself (7).

After this, John also entered the tomb, and he saw and believed (8).

II. Understanding the Resurrection Through Scripture (9-10)

As yet, they didn’t know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead (9). But, the resurrection of Jesus was prophesied in the Old Testament. Also, Jesus foretold His resurrection many times during His ministry.

2.1 Old Testament Prophecies of Resurrection

Psalm 16:10 NLT

¹⁰ For you will not leave my soul among the dead

or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.

After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, Peter quoted Psalm 16:10 when he preached to them about the resurrection of Jesus (Acts 2:31).

Isaiah 53:10-11 NLT

¹⁰ But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him

and cause him grief.

Yet when his life is made an offering for sin,

he will have many descendants.

He will enjoy a long life,

and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands.

¹¹ When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish,

he will be satisfied.

And because of his experience,

my righteous servant will make it possible

for many to be counted righteous,

for he will bear all their sins.

2.2 Jesus Foretells His Resurrection

Jesus foretold His resurrection in Matthew 12:39-40, 16:21, 17:9, 17:22-23, 20:18-19, 26:31-32, Mark 8:31, 9:9-10, 9:31-32, 10:32-34, 14:27-28, Luke 9:22, 11:29-30, 18:31-33, John 2:19-22, 10:17-18, 11:25-26, 12:23-24, 14:19, and John 16:16.

2.3 Post-Resurrection Enlightenment

After the resurrection, Jesus taught His two disciples about His resurrection in Luke 24:25-27.

Then, they returned to their own homes (10).