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.

John 20:20 (KJV)

Context

On the evening of the resurrection day, the first day of the week, the disciples were gathered behind locked doors for fear of the Jewish authorities. Jesus came and stood among them, greeted them with peace, and then showed them his hands and his side. This appearance followed Mary Magdalene’s announcement that she had seen the Lord, which prepared the disciples for what they now witnessed.

Meaning

The verse records two movements: Jesus showed his hands and his side, and the disciples were glad when they saw him. The showing of his hands and side served as visible proof of his identity. The hands had been pierced by the nails of crucifixion, and the side had been pierced by the spear, a wound John himself had witnessed. These marks confirmed that the risen Lord was the same Jesus who had been crucified. The disciples’ gladness was the direct result of recognizing the crucified and risen Jesus before them, transforming their earlier fear and grief into joy.

Biblical connections

The Gospel of John emphasizes the reality of Jesus’ resurrection body, which bore the marks of his suffering. This connects to the testimony of John 19:34, where the soldier pierced Jesus’ side, and to the disciples’ recognition that the one who stood before them was indeed the Lord. The joy they experienced fulfills the promise of Jesus that their sorrow would turn to joy, a theme woven throughout the Gospel.

Application

This verse invites readers to see that the risen Lord is the same Jesus who suffered and died. His wounds are not erased but remain as a testimony to his sacrifice and victory. Believers today can find assurance that the Lord who meets them in their fear and doubt is the crucified and risen Savior. The disciples’ gladness becomes a model for the joy that comes from encountering the risen Christ, even in the midst of locked doors and fear.

Reflection

Consider how the disciples moved from fear to joy in a single moment of seeing Jesus. Their gladness was not based on circumstances but on the presence of the risen Lord. This passage encourages readers to look to Christ, who shows his wounds as proof of his love and power, and to receive the peace and joy he offers.