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.”

Immediate Context

The preceding line reads “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.” The titled verse reads “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.” The following line reads “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” Together, these lines place John 20:20 within its immediate canonical and literary sequence.

Reading the Verse

The verse forms part of a Gospel narrative. Meaning depends on the speaker or actor, the immediate setting, and the movement of the episode in which the words occur.

The verse first states “And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side.” It then adds “Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.” Both movements belong together.

Biblical Significance

The Gospels bear witness to Jesus Christ through particular sayings, signs, conflicts, encounters, and responses. Accuracy preserves the sequence and emphasis chosen by the evangelist.

Application

The first task is to observe what the verse says about Jesus, his hearers, or the event. Application should follow that observation, encouraging trust, obedience, worship, or self-examination only where the passage supports it.

Read in this setting, John 20:20 speaks through its own wording and context. Its claims and application begin with the KJV text above.