_|_ | C O P | N E T COMMENTARY ON THE RESURRECTION GOSPEL Ref: John 20:1-18 Grades 9/10 John 20:1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. - First day = Sunday 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. - Peter was the eldest of the disciples - St. Mary was staying at John's house, that why Mary Magdalene went to his house, to inform St. Mary of the situation - "taken away the Lord": she didn't understand that He is Risen - "we know not where they have laid him.": she did not go to alone to the tomb John 20:3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. John 20:4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. - John who was younger, outran Peter and reached the tomb. John 20:5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. - John waited for Peter, since he was the elder. John 20:6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, 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. - The linen cloths laying, and the napkin was folded by itself, everything was organised, i.e. Jesus's body couldn't have been stolen. A thief does not organize cloths. Also, the linen cloths could not be seperated from the body since it was harded into a "cast" by the spices. - Christ left His cloths to tell us that in the Resurrection, the bodies will not need the material objects (cloths). John 20:8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. - They believed that He is risen John 20:9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. - They did not understand the scriptures that spoke of His Resurrection, such as Psalms 16:10 "For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption." - They did not understand His words, such as John 16:16 "A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father." - After His Resurrection, they started to understand bit by bit until the descent of the Holy Spirit, John 14:26 "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 20:10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. John 20:11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, - Peter and John believed and left without saying anything to Mary who, cared more about seeing than hearing. - As she cried, she looked inside that she might find something to guide her to Jesus's place. - Notice that this was the second time that she came to the tomb, and that the first time (Math. 28: 1-10) she had seen Jesus, but as she was going to tell the desciples, she disbelieved, so she went back to check: Matthew 28:1 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. Matthew 28:2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. Matthew 28:3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: Matthew 28:4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. Matthew 28:5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. Matthew 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matthew 28:7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. Matthew 28:8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. Matthew 28:9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Matthew 28:10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. John 20:12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. - White is a sign of joy. - The angels stayed in the tomb to honor the place where Jesus was placed, and also to preach of His Resurrection. John 20:13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. - When she would not stop weeping, they reproved her for crying after seeing such a glorious sight. - Her answer meant that she didn't even think of the Resurrection. John 20:14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. - As the angels spoke, Christ appeared behind her, the angles honored Him (stood up), so she looked to see who it was. John 20:15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. - Jesus appeared as a "gardener" to gradually lead her to the truth, lest she think he's a ghost. John 20:16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. - As Jesus spoke to her in His heavenly soft voice, she recognized Him. John 20:17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. - Jesus had yet some time (40 days) before He is to ascend to Heaven. - He calles his disciples brethren to teach us humility. - He says "My God", since he was incarnate and became man. John 20:18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. - Mary became the first preacher of the Resurrection ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _|_ This article is one of many more articles about the Coptic Orthodox | Church, the Christian Apostolic Church of Egypt. These articles can be | retrieved from Copt-Net archives at http://pharos.bu.edu/cn/Menu.html COP|NET For more information, contact Copt-Net server at CN-request@cs.bu.edu -------------------------------------------------------------------------------