John 20 26

John 20:26 kjv

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.

John 20:26 nkjv

And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!"

John 20:26 niv

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"

John 20:26 esv

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."

John 20:26 nlt

Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. "Peace be with you," he said.

John 20 verses

John 20 26 Meaning

John 20:26 describes Jesus' second appearance to His gathered disciples, which occurred eight days after His first appearance. This encounter specifically included Thomas, who had been absent previously and doubted the resurrection. Jesus miraculously entered a room despite locked doors, standing among them, and offered them the greeting of peace. The verse emphasizes Jesus' power over physical barriers and His intentional engagement with Thomas's unbelief within the community of believers.

John 20 26 Context

John chapter 20 narrates the pivotal events following Jesus' resurrection. It begins with Mary Magdalene's discovery of the empty tomb and Peter and John's verification. Jesus first appears to Mary Magdalene, commissioning her. Later that evening, on the first Easter Sunday (John 20:19), He appears to ten of His disciples behind locked doors, bestowing peace and the Holy Spirit. Thomas, known as Didymus, was notably absent from this first appearance. Upon hearing the news, he famously declared he would not believe unless he saw and touched Jesus' wounds (John 20:25). John 20:26 follows eight days later, illustrating Jesus' divine timing and persistence in meeting individual faith needs within the gathered community. The historical context reflects a Jewish culture that counts "days" inclusively, meaning "eight days later" effectively denotes the following "first day of the week" or Sunday, establishing a recurring significance for the Lord's Day as a time for Christian assembly and encounter with the Risen Christ. The disciples' fear leading them to lock the doors was a palpable reality given the intense religious and political pressures they faced in Jerusalem after Jesus' crucifixion.

John 20 26 Word analysis

• And after eight days: Kai meth' hēmeras oktō. The "eighth day" in Jewish reckoning signifies the conclusion of a week or the beginning of a new one. This falls on the Sunday following the resurrection, emphasizing the early church's pattern of gathering on the Lord's Day (Acts 20:7, 1 Cor 16:2). It implies a deliberate, calendrical regularity.
• again: palin. Signifies a repetition of Jesus' visit to the disciples in their gathering. This indicates His purposeful intent, particularly to address Thomas's specific unbelief.
• his disciples were within: hoi mathētai autou esan esō. Shows the disciples were gathered in a private space, likely for safety and fellowship, consistent with their practice following the resurrection events. It emphasizes the communal aspect of their experience.
• and Thomas with them: kai Thōmas met' autōn. Crucial detail. Thomas's presence differentiates this appearance from the previous one. Jesus, with perfect knowledge, knew Thomas was there and appeared specifically for his sake, highlighting His personal care for each disciple.
• then came Jesus: erchetai ho Iēsous. The Greek present tense erchetai can convey immediacy or dramatic impact, indicating a sudden and unannounced appearance.
• the doors being shut: tōn thyreōn kekleismenōn. The perfect passive participle kekleismenōn emphasizes the enduring state of the doors being shut and locked. This is not a casual closing; it signifies an impossible barrier. This detail highlights the miraculous nature of Jesus' resurrected body, which transcends physical limitations while still being a tangible body. It directly counters the notion that He was a ghost or hallucination (Luke 24:37-39).
• and stood in the midst: kai estē eis to meson. To stand in the center signifies authority, presence, and availability. Jesus placed Himself at the heart of their fellowship, physically manifesting His promise to be with them (Matt 18:20).
• and said: kai legei. A simple introduction to Jesus' words, indicating direct communication.
• Peace be unto you: Eirēnē hymin. A common Hebrew greeting (Shalom), but from the lips of the resurrected Christ, it carries profound spiritual weight. It is not just the absence of conflict but encompasses wholeness, well-being, reconciliation with God, and inner tranquility secured by His triumph over sin and death (John 14:27, 16:33). This peace is the fruit of His finished work on the cross.
• the doors being shut... and stood in the midst: This phrase group emphasizes the miraculous, physical reality of Jesus' resurrection. His resurrected body is glorified, not bound by earthly constraints, yet fully physical and recognizable. This demonstrates divine power and the nature of the future resurrection body (1 Cor 15:42-44).
• Thomas with them... Peace be unto you: This grouping shows Jesus' sovereign, yet gracious, purpose. He waited for Thomas to be present with the community, demonstrating that individual faith is often nurtured within corporate fellowship, and then extended the peace that only He could offer.

John 20 26 Bonus section

The "eighth day" symbolism in the Bible often points to new beginnings, new creation, or the advent of a new era. Circumcision, a sign of the covenant, was performed on the eighth day (Gen 17:12, Lev 12:3). In this context, Jesus' appearance on the eighth day after His resurrection inaugurates the new creation in Christ, a new spiritual week, and the new covenant reality, foreshadowing the church's regular assembly on the Lord's Day (Acts 2:42). The presence of locked doors serves as a dramatic physical manifestation of the spiritual truth that "with God all things are possible" (Matt 19:26). Jesus, in His resurrected state, is not bound by the natural laws He Himself created, yet His body remained corporeal enough for touch. This moment is a powerful lesson for believers who, like Thomas, sometimes need to be patiently drawn by God to full faith, recognizing that doubt can lead to a deeper, more personal encounter with truth when presented by Christ Himself.

John 20 26 Commentary

John 20:26 powerfully reveals Jesus' compassion, sovereign power, and the reality of His glorified resurrection. The "eight days" mark not just a passage of time, but the establishment of a rhythm for the Christian community's gathering on the Lord's Day. Jesus deliberately waited for Thomas to be among the other disciples, underscoring that faith, while personal, often thrives within the communal embrace of believers (Heb 10:25). His entry through locked doors dramatically attests to His resurrected body being both real and trans-physical, conquering all earthly limitations. This challenges both rationalistic skepticism and false spiritualistic notions, affirming a tangible, yet uniquely new, physicality. The repeated greeting "Peace be unto you" extends beyond mere salutation; it's a conferral of the profound peace achieved by His finished work on the cross, offering reconciliation with God and inner calm amidst fear and doubt. This scene solidifies the historical reality of the resurrection as the bedrock of Christian faith and Jesus' divine intent to meet every individual, even the most skeptical, with undeniable proof and transformative grace, within the safety of His flock.