John 20 20

John 20:20 kjv

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.

John 20:20 nkjv

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

John 20:20 niv

After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

John 20:20 esv

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

John 20:20 nlt

As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord!

John 20 verses

John 20 20 Meaning

John 20:20 describes the profound joy of the disciples upon witnessing the resurrected Christ. Having just appeared suddenly in their locked room and offering words of peace, Jesus confirms His identity and the physical reality of His resurrection by showing them the nail marks in His hands and the spear wound in His side. This direct, visual proof transformed their fear and grief into immense gladness, confirming His words and presence.

John 20 20 Context

The verse takes place on the evening of the first Easter Sunday. The disciples, excluding Thomas, are gathered together in a room with the doors locked, not due to reverence, but "for fear of the Jews." They are in a state of deep sorrow and apprehension, having witnessed their Master's brutal crucifixion just days prior, and likely reeling from the conflicting reports about His empty tomb and appearances. Into this fearful and grief-stricken environment, Jesus suddenly appears among them, first greeting them with "Peace be with you." Immediately following this profound utterance, He offers physical proof of His resurrection by displaying the crucifixion marks. This pivotal moment not only authenticates His bodily return but transforms their fear into an explosion of joy, setting the stage for their commissioning.

John 20 20 Word analysis

• And when he had said this,: This phrase highlights Jesus' intentionality and purpose. His words of peace in John 20:19 are followed by immediate, tangible proof. It demonstrates a direct link between His verbal assurance and His physical presence.
• he showed: The Greek word here is ἔδειξεν (edeixen), which is the aorist indicative of δείκνυμι (deiknymi), meaning "to exhibit," "to point out," or "to demonstrate." This isn't a passive observation by the disciples, but an active, deliberate presentation by Jesus. It underscores the purposeful display of evidence to establish His identity as the crucified-yet-risen Lord. This direct act counters any notion of a mere spiritual or hallucinated presence, affirming the bodily resurrection.
• them: Refers to the collective body of disciples present, notably excluding Thomas, whose subsequent doubt underscores the critical nature of this visual evidence.
• his hands: In Greek, χεῖρας (cheiras), plural for "hands." This directly refers to the nail marks left from the crucifixion, a horrifying but unmistakable identifier. These wounds serve as definitive proof of His identity, showing He was truly the same Jesus who was crucified. Their visibility proves continuity between His crucified and glorified body.
• and his side: In Greek, πλευράν (pleuran), meaning "side." This is a crucial detail, particularly emphasized in John's Gospel, where the piercing of Jesus' side by a spear is recounted (Jn 19:34). This specific wound, from which "blood and water" flowed, holds theological significance as a unique and undeniable mark of His death and the fount of New Covenant blessings. The showing of this distinct mark powerfully authenticates His bodily resurrection, making it impossible to confuse Him with anyone else.
• Then the disciples: The μαθηταὶ (mathētai), "learners" or "followers," were transformed by this sight. Their previous fear and confusion are immediately displaced.
• were glad: The Greek word is ἐχάρησαν (echarēsan), the aorist indicative of χαίρω (chairō), meaning "to rejoice" or "to be glad." This describes a sudden, overwhelming, and profound burst of joy. This joy is not merely intellectual assent but an emotional and spiritual outpouring, stemming from seeing their living Lord. It fulfills Jesus' own prophecy that their sorrow would turn into joy (Jn 16:22). This supernatural joy is a direct consequence of faith solidified by visual proof.
• when they saw: The Greek participle ἰδόντες (idontes), "having seen," signifies a direct and undeniable perception. The act of seeing brought about their profound gladness, linking their sensory experience directly to their emotional response and confirmed faith.
• the Lord: In Greek, Κύριον (Kyrios), a term laden with meaning. Prior to the resurrection, "Lord" could be a respectful title for a teacher (e.g., "sir"). However, post-resurrection, especially in John's Gospel, "Lord" carries a deeper, divine connotation, often aligning with the Septuagint's use of Kyrios for Yahweh. The disciples recognizing Him as "the Lord" signifies their acknowledgment of His divine authority, His victory over death, and His ultimate sovereignty. It signifies not just recognition of identity but an understanding of His exalted status.

John 20 20 Bonus section

The retention of the crucifixion wounds in Jesus' resurrected body holds deep theological significance. It assures believers of the unchanging nature of Christ's identity and sacrifice. The marks are not blemishes but rather eternal trophies of His victory over sin and death, continually testifying to the completed work of atonement. Furthermore, these physical wounds link Jesus' post-resurrection appearances to His pre-crucifixion earthly ministry, affirming the consistency of His person and purpose. They served as critical evidence not just for the disciples in the locked room, but later for Thomas, who explicitly demanded to see them (Jn 20:25-27), reinforcing their undeniable power as proof of resurrection. This scene also foreshadows the glorious return of Christ when "every eye will see him, even those who pierced him" (Rev 1:7), connecting His crucifixion, resurrection, and second coming through these permanent physical markers.

John 20 20 Commentary

John 20:20 provides a foundational moment in the resurrection narrative. It's the moment when lingering doubt and paralyzing fear are definitively replaced by undeniable truth and profound joy. By showing His hands and His side, Jesus meticulously confirms that the resurrected body is indeed His own physical body, yet also transformed and glorified. This vital demonstration directly refutes any later misinterpretations, such as the idea that Jesus' resurrection was merely spiritual or a ghostly apparition; it was concrete, historical, and corporeal, carrying the marks of His atoning sacrifice. The persistent presence of His wounds underscores the indissoluble link between His suffering on the cross and His victory over death; His glory is forever tied to His sacrifice. The resulting joy of the disciples is not just a passing emotion but a deep spiritual revelation of hope, confirming every promise He made. This joy prepares them for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and their subsequent commission to proclaim the risen Lord to the world.