Senior Class Notes – April 4, 2021 – Toonigh Baptist Church

Spring 2021 Unit 1 Session 5 – The Resurrection of Jesus – John 20:3-9, 19-23, 27-29 PSG p. 58 – 67

April 4, 2021 – Easter Sunday! Please read “Why the Resurrection Matters” by Mary Jo Sharp. PSG p 68.

The Point: New Life is possible when we trust in the risen Christ.

Inspirational verse: “But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.” (John 19:33-34).

John 20:2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Verse added for clarification. At this point Mary Magdalene had no thought of Jesus’ resurrection. The Jewish charge that His disciples stole His body (Matt. 27:62-66; 28:11-15) shows that grave robbery was not unheard of. The plural “we” suggests the presence of other women besides Mary (KJV). “In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre” (Matt. 28:1); “And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.” (Mark 16:1-2); “Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.” (Luke 24:1) (KJV).

John 20:3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. On the night of Jesus’ arrest, His disciples ran away. John later followed Him to His trial and, eventually, to the cross. Peter followed from a distance before denying Him three times. So, it’s no surprise they remained in hiding in the wake of his death and burial. In response to the shocking news presented by Mary Magdalene that the tomb was open and Jesus’ body was gone, Peter … and that other disciple (John) ran toward the tomb. John never referred to himself by name in his Gospel. Instead, he used terms like “that other disciple” or “one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23). Why he and Peter had been together – and whether the other disciples were with them – is not clear. But both left to see the empty tomb for themselves (LG p. 61).

John 20:4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. “So” is John’s reference to the shocking news presented by Mary Magdalene on the Sunday after the crucifixion. The fact John and Peter ran is notable. In the ancient world, it was considered undignified for adult men to run anywhere. At first, the two ran both together; but at some point, John pulled ahead. John was younger – and, apparently, faster – than Peter. Whatever the case, John came first to the sepulchre. But John stopped at the entrance of the tomb, bent down, and looked inside. The Greek wording for saw here means “looked at” and is the same used for Mary Magdalene in verse 1. Neither John nor Mary entered the tomb at first (LG p. 61-62).

John 20:5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Apparently by now there was enough daylight to see inside the burial chamber through the small, low opening in the cave tomb (KJV). If Jesus’ body had been moved by someone, then the linen clothes – that is, Jesus’ burial clothes – would not be lying there. They would still be around the body. If someone stole the body, he or she would not likely unwrap it. The burial clothes are the first evidence of Jesus’ bodily resurrection (KJVCRSB).

John 20:6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, Peter did not share the same caution as John. When he arrived, he went into the sepulchre, true to his brash personality. Peter was rarely afraid to speak or act as he saw fit. So, it makes sense he would not be satisfied with just looking into the tomb. He investigated further. This word rendered seeth indicates more like “noticed” than “looked at.” John mentioned that while the body was gone, the grave clothes were still there – seeth the linen clothes lie – The linen clothes that had covered Jesus were empty, suggesting Jesus may have passed through them and left only the shell. (LG p. 62).

John 20:7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Jesus’ resurrection body apparently passed through the linen wrappings similar to the way in which He later appeared to His disciples in a locked room (vv. 19, 26). The head wrapping being neatly folded up in a place by itself counters the notion of grave robbers, who in their haste would not have taken the time to do so (KJV). The second evidence of Jesus’ resurrection that John offers is the carefully folded “napkin” – that is, Jesus’ face cloth. While the body of the deceased was wrapped in strips of cloth, somewhat mummy like, the face cloth was laid over the head. This piece of cloth is folded up and placed away from the wrappings. This is unlikely to be the work of grave robbers, who would not have taken the time to fold the cloth even if they chose to unwrap the dead body (KJVCRSB). There is a story circulating concerning this: From “Dane’s website”: Unless this is your first day on the internet, you’ve probably received the email describing why Jesus folded the napkin in the tomb at His resurrection at least a dozen times. It has been circulating for years now. I think I get it about once each week. The email purports that there was an early tradition concerning a master, his servant, and the dinner table. Reportedly, if the master of the house is completely finished with his meal, he doesn’t fold the napkin, but wads it up. This supposedly tells his servant that he is finished, and will not be returning. However, if he is leaving the table before he is finished with his meal, he folds the napkin as a sign to his servant that he is coming back. The email states that when Jesus’ folded napkin was found in his empty tomb that this was a sign to His disciples that he would one day return. (this story is not based on biblical research – WSJ)

John 20:8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. The presence of two witnesses rendered the evidence admissible under Jewish law (Deut. 17:6; 19:15). The other disciple believed based on what he saw, not on an understanding from Scripture that Jesus must rise again (v. 9) (KJV). Believed. For as yet they knew not: They believed Jesus was alive, not knowing the details of His resurrection (KJSB). John followed Peter’s example, went in, and saw the grave cloths and empty tomb. The verb saw in this verse is different from either one in verses 5 and 6 and indicates an understanding or perception. As he took it all in, the young disciple believed. Belief is a primary theme throughout John’s Gospel; but in this case, it is not clear what exactly he believed. He certainly believed what Mary had told them. They had reported an empty tomb and confusion about Jesus’ body. John had seen the tomb and could relate the confusion, so his belief seems natural. John did not report Peter’s reaction, but it is reasonable to think he believed Mary’s story as well. John’s Gospel often connects seeing and believing. But here John emphasized faith – believing without seeing – because what the young disciple believed made no rational sense. And what he saw didn’t offer any real explanations (LG p. 62-63).

John 20:9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. This lack of expectation of a resurrection shows that the disciples did not fabricate the resurrection story to fit their preconceived expectations. Rather, the resurrection shocked them and did not fit with what they understood from Scripture. Only later, aided by the Spirit’s teaching, did they come to see that Jesus’ resurrection was foretold in the Old Testament (KJV). John admitted the disciples knew not the scripture that provided the key to everything around them. Jesus Himself had told them on multiple occasions that He would die, be buried, and rise again from the dead. In addition, Old Testament prophecies said the same thing about the Messiah (Ps. 16:10; Isa. 53:10-12). But whether limited by ignorance or grief, Peter and John hadn’t made the full connection about the significance of what they found. John’s honesty about his uncertainty indicates the truth of the story. Few writers would paint themselves in a negative light iff they were writing fiction. They would more likely portray themselves as heroes. But the apostle offered a transparent look into his thoughts and feelings, validating the reliability of his account (LG p. 63).

John 20:19 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, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. This was Sunday evening of the Resurrection. The doors are shut, and Jesus appears in His Resurrection body. Evidently, He could appear, disappear, pass through material, and defy the law of gravity (as He did at the Ascension) in His Resurrection body (KJSB). The common Jewish greeting “Peace be unto you” (representing Hebrew Shalom alekem) is still used today. Peace was Jesus’ gift to his followers by virtue of His sacrificial death on the cross (KJV). To wish someone peace was to wish them all of the fullness and happiness that God intended. When Jesus uses this greeting, it carries a deeper significance because He wants the disciples to have the fullness of life and peace that is found in Him (KJVCRSB). The phrase “fear of the Jews” (cp. 7:13; 9:22; 19:38; 20:19) refers to Jerusalem authorities represented by the Sanhedrin council (KJV). It is possible this gathering took place in the same upper room where Jesus had shared Passover with His disciples a few nights before. Regardless, John emphasized the doors were shut … for fear of the Jews. They had all seen Jesus’ enemies come at night with torches and weapons. They had seen Him led away by the Jewish guards in the garden. As Jesus’ closest followers, they could have topped the “most wanted” list following the crucifixion. Understandably, they did not want to suffer the same fate (LG p. 64).

John 20:20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. With His arrival known, Jesus provided the next great evidence for the resurrection. Along with the empty tomb, they now had a physical encounter with the Savior. They saw firsthand his hands and his side. Jesus wanted them to realize He was not a ghost “But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.” (Luke 24:37) (KJV). He was the Lord they knew, the One who had conquered death and the grave. In his Gospel, Luke noted Jesus gave them additional proof by sharing food with them “And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them” (Luke 24:41-43) (KJV). The disciples were ecstatic. John used the word glad to describe their response. On the night before the crucifixion, Jesus had encouraged them to avoid letting their hearts be dismayed “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me” (John14:1). Now, their sadness and fear had turned into celebration. This demonstrates the power of a changed life. People today can still experience the spiritual renewal Jesus accomplished in the lives of His earliest followers. Jesus continues to transform lives today (LG p. 65).

John 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my father hath sent me, even so send I you. These verses (21 and 22) contain this Gospel’s version of the Great Commission, which culminates in the presentation of Jesus as the One sent from the Father. Now the sent One (Jesus) had turned Sender, commissioning His followers to serve as His messengers and representatives (17:18). All three persons of the Godhead are involved in this commissioning. As Jesus was sent by God the Father, so He, the son, was sending out His disciples (20:21), equipping them with the Holy Spirit (20:22) (KJV).

John 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: John thus demonstrated that each member of the Godhead is involved in the redemption plan and the mission of spreading the gospel to the world. The Holy Ghost was given dramatically and permanently a short time later (Acts 2) (KJV). Jesus had promised that the Holy Spirit would come after the Ascension, but the event described here is not the same as the coming of the Holy Spirit described in Acts 2. Here Jesus is connecting the Holy Spirit with the mission of the disciples in anticipation of what will happen after His ascension (KJVCRSB). Here the disciples are anointed by the Holy Spirit preliminary to Acts 2. This corresponds to the Holy Spirit’s special ministries in the Old Testament. Such ministries were for special tasks. Soon the Holy Spirit would come and permanently abide with them (Acts 2) (KJSB).

John 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. The reference to forgiveness or lack thereof may echo the reference to “the key of the house of David” in Isaiah 22:22 “And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.” (Isa 22:22; cp. Rev. 3:7). Jesus bestowed on His followers authority to announce access or disbarment from God’s kingdom based on reception or denial of the gospel message. For those who reject Jesus, His messengers are commissioned to say they do not have forgiveness of sins (KJV). This is a divine prerogative (cf. Mark 2:7). The anointing of the Holy Spirit makes this possible (KJSB).

John 20:27 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. Thomas was not with the other disciples in the room when Jesus gave the commission, though the other disciples obviously explained it to him. He responds with his famous skepticism, wanting physical confirmation (verse 20:25). Jesus does appear again, announces peace, and then offers the physical evidence that Thomas has been looking for (KJVCRSB). The other disciples had seen His hands and side before (v. 20). Now, Jesus gave Thomas the same opportunity. The Lord never called out Thomas for his doubts. Instead, He simply encouraged His skeptical disciple to behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: Jesus met Thomas exactly where he was living and provided him with all the evidence he demanded – or would ever need. Once Thomas had seen for himself, Jesus urged him to be not faithless, but believing. In essence, Jesus told him to stop doubting and have faith. Belief and disbelief are each active decisions. They are choices people make. Jesus was urging Thomas to lean into the spiritual and not just the empirical. He issues the same challenge to each of us today (LG p, 67).

John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus knows Thomas’s doubts even though He wasn’t in the room when Thomas voiced them. This is another way in which John’s Gospel emphasizes Jesus’ sovereignty over everything. He knows Thomas’s doubts and He meets Thomas at his point of need (KJVCRSB). My Lord and my God: These words from Thomas form the climax to John’s gospel and summarize its theme (KJSB). Thomas’s words served as the exclamation point to John’s emphasis that Jesus was the Messiah (vv. 30-31). The titles indicate both Thomas’s submission to Christ and his confession of Jesus’ deity. Thomas wasn’t just worshiping his rabbi. He was worshiping his Savior and God, as proved by the resurrection (LG p. 67).

John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. Readers of the Gospel of John may believe without seeing because John, through the Holy Spirit, has written the truth about God’s Son (KJV). Jesus was glad Thomas believed what he was seeing. However, He also offered a blessing for those who have not seen, and yet have believed – what we know as faith. That describes the vast number of believers through the ages. Jesus had commissioned the disciples to spread the gospel, but many of the people they would reach – including John’s original readers – would never have seen Jesus in person. They trusted the eyewitness accounts of John and others. Within a century, all the eyewitnesses would be gone, yet people continued to believe. And they needed to hear that they were blessed for their faith (LG p. 68).

Did Judas Hang Himself or Did He Fall? – Christian Apologist

Did Judas Hang Himself or Did He Fall?

May 17, 2019 · It is likely that Judas hung himself from a tree and after his body began to decompose, either the tree limb broke or someone cut the branch from which he was hanging down to remove his body, causing Judas to fall to the ground. Since his body had likely decomposed, his body would have burst open as described by Luke (christian-apologist.com). “Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; (the 30 pieces of silver – the price of a slave [Exod. 21:32]) and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.” (Acts 1:18-19).

Matthew tells us “And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priest took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day” (Matt. 27:5-8).

Moses tells us in Deuteronomy 21:23 “His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.” A further humiliation attached to capital punishment was hanging the criminal’s corpse from a tree (1 Sam. 31:10; 2 Sam. 21:5-6). However, to leave the body on display too long would spread God’s curse beyond the criminal. The body must therefore be buried before sundown, a practice that continued until the time of Jesus “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:” (Galatians 3:13) (KJV).

Because Judas hung himself and died on the partial of land, (no matter who owned it) it became cursed and useless to Jews but could be used to bury strangers – non-Jewish people. A potter’s field (IMO).

Question: Why is Resurrection Sunday also known as Easter?

References: Spring 2021

(CWB) – Commentary on the Whole Bible by Matthew Henry Copyright © 1960 by Zondervan Publishing House – Grand Rapids, Michigan.
(ESVSB) – The English Standard Version Study Bible, Personal size. Copyright © 2008 by Crossway. Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway.
(ETB) – Explore The Book by J Sidlow Baxter. Copyright © 1960 by J. Sidlow Baxter. Published 1960 by Zondervan Publishing House – Grand Rapids, Michigan.
(IMO) – On occasion, with the prayerful guidance of the Holy Spirit, I will make comments of my own, based on my understanding of the events. I will indicate such times with – In My O
(NIDNTT) – The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology Copyright © 1967, 1969, 1971 by Theologisher Verlag Rolf Brockhaus, Wuppertal. English Language edition Volume 1 Copyright © 1975, 1986, The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.A. and The Paternoster Press, Ltd. Exeter, Devon, U.K.
(NIVBTSB) – The New International Version Biblical Theology Study Bible Copyright © 2018 by The Zondervan Corporation. Text from the Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. previously published as The New International Version Zondervan Study Bible.
(NIVCBSB) – The New International Version Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible Copyright © 2016 by The Zondervan Corporation text from the Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. published by the Zondervan Corporation.
(NIVJSB) – The New International Version Jeremiah Study Bible, Copyright © 2016 by David Jeremiah, Inc. Using the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan.
(NIVMEB) – The New International Version Ministry Essentials Bible, Copyright © 2014 by Hendrickson Publishers Marketing, LLC. Based on The Holy Bible, New International Version NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
(NIVSB) – The New International Version Study Bible Copyright © 1985 by the Zondervan Corporation text from the Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the New York International Bible Society.
(NIVZSB) – The New International Version Zondervan Study Bible Copyright © 2015 by the Zondervan Corporation. Text from The Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
(NCBD) – The Nelson’s Compact Bible Dictionary Copyright © 2004 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. with Scripture Quotations from the New King James Version of the Bible Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, 1990 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
(NKJVSB) – Holman Study Bible, New King James Version Edition Copyright © 2013 by Holman Bible Publishers Nashville, Tn. Text from the New King James Version Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
(PSG) – Bible Studies For life – King James Version Adults Personal Study Guide Spring 2021 Vol. 1, No. 1
(QNBD) – Quick Notes Bible Dictionary based on text from the King James Version of the Bible and cross referenced with the NIV and NRSV Bibles. Copyright © 1998 by George W. Knight and Rayburn W. Ray.
(SEC) – Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible with Dictionaries of the Hebrew Bible and the Greek Testament words. Copyright © 1890 by James Strong. Based on the King James Version of the Bible.
(TDNT) – Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
(THBC) – Today’s Handbook of Bible Characters Copyright © 1979 by E.M. Blaiklock, published by Bethany House Publishers.
(TZPEB) – The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, copyright © 1975, 1976 by the Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan
(WSJ) – William Samuel J This is stating that I found the information on the internet. It is not my opinion and not quoted from the Bible or any Bible commentary.