Joh 20:19-25 | RWP | e4.org | When therefore it was evening on that day ( ουσης ουν οψιας τη ημερα εκεινε ). Genitive absolute with οψια ( οψιος , late), old word with ωρα (hour) understood and here for the time from six to nine ( ) and the locative case of time with ημερα (day). John often uses this note of time ( ; ; ; ; , ). The addition of τη μια σαββατων (see for this use of μια like πρωτη ) proves that John is using Roman time, not Jewish, for here evening follows day instead of preceding it. When the doors were shut ( των θυρων κεκλεισμενων ). Genitive absolute again with perfect passive participle of κλειω , shut to keep the Jews out. News of the empty tomb had already spread ( ). See for the phrase "for fear of the Jews"; cf. . Stood in the midst ( εστη εις το μεσον ). Second aorist (ingressive) active (intransitive) of ιστημ , "stepped into the midst." Peace be unto you ( Ειρηνη υμιν ). The usual oriental salutation as in verses , ; , here with probable reference to (Christ's legacy of peace).

‏ John 20:19-25

When therefore it was evening on that day ( ουσης ουν οψιας τη ημερα εκεινε ). Genitive absolute with οψια ( οψιος, late), old word with ωρα (hour) understood and here for the time from six to nine (6:16) and the locative case of time with ημερα (day). John often uses this note of time (1:39; 5:9; 11:53; 14:20; 16:23, 26). The addition of τη μια σαββατων (see 20:1 for this use of μια like πρωτη ) proves that John is using Roman time, not Jewish, for here evening follows day instead of preceding it.

When the doors were shut ( των θυρων κεκλεισμενων ). Genitive absolute again with perfect passive participle of κλειω, shut to keep the Jews out. News of the empty tomb had already spread (Mt 28:11). See Joh 7:13 for the phrase "for fear of the Jews"; cf. 12:42.

Stood in the midst ( εστη εις το μεσον ). Second aorist (ingressive) active (intransitive) of ιστημ, "stepped into the midst."

Peace be unto you ( Ειρηνη υμιν ). The usual oriental salutation as in verses 21, 26; Lu 24:36, here with probable reference to Joh 14:27 (Christ's legacy of peace).

Showed ( εδειξεν ). First aorist active indicative of δεικνυμ. This body, not yet glorified, retained the marks of the nails and of the soldier's spear, ample proof of the bodily resurrection against the modern view that only Christ's "spirit" arose and against the Docetic notion that Jesus had no actual human body. Luke (Lu 24:39f.) adds feet to hands and side.

Were glad ( εχαρησαν ). Second aorist passive indicative of χαιρω. Jesus had said (16:22) that it would be so. Luke adds (Lu 24:41) that they "disbelieved for joy." It was too good to be true, though terror had first seized them when Jesus appeared (Lu 24:37) because of the suddenness of Christ's appearance and their highly wrought state.

Even so send I you ( καγω πεμπω υμας ). Jesus has often spoken of the Father's sending him using both αποστελλω and πεμπω. Here he employs both words in practically the same sense. Jesus still bears the Commission of the Father (perfect active indicative). For this balanced contention (as ... so) see 6:57; 10:15. This is the first of the three commissions given by the Risen Christ (another on the mountain in Galilee (Mt 28:16-20; 1Co 15:6), another on the Mount of Olives (Lu 24:44-51; Ac 1:3-11).

He breathed on them ( ενεφυσησεν ). First aorist active indicative of εμφυσαω, late verb, here only in N.T. though eleven times in the LXX and in the papyri. It was a symbolic art with the same word used in the LXX when God breathed the breath of life upon Adam (Ge 2:7). It occurs also in Eze 37:9. See Christ's promise in Joh 16:23. Jesus gives the disciples a foretaste of the great pentecost.

Receive ye the Holy Ghost ( λαβετε πνευμα αγιον ). Second aorist (ingressive) active imperative of λαμβανω. Note absence of article here ( πνευμα αγιον ) though το πνευμα το αγιον in 14:26. No real distinction is to be observed, for Holy Spirit is treated as a proper name with or without the article.

Whosesoever sins ye forgive ( αν τινων αφητε τας αμαρτιας ). "If the sins of any ye forgive" ( αφητε, second aorist active subjunctive with αν in the sense of εαν ), a condition of the third class. Precisely so with "retain" ( κρατητε, present active subjunctive of κρατεω ).

They are forgiven ( αφεωντα ). Perfect passive indicative of αφιημ, Doric perfect for αφειντα.

Are retained ( κεκρατηντα ). Perfect passive indicative of κρατεω. The power to forgive sin belongs only to God, but Jesus claimed to have this power and right (Mr 2:5-7). What he commits to the disciples and to us is the power and privilege of giving assurance of the forgiveness of sins by God by correctly announcing the terms of forgiveness. There is no proof that he actually transferred to the apostles or their successors the power in and of themselves to forgive sins. In Mt 16:19; 18:18 we have a similar use of the rabbinical metaphor of binding and loosing by proclaiming and teaching. Jesus put into the hands of Peter and of all believers the keys of the Kingdom which we should use to open the door for those who wish to enter. This glorious promise applies to all believers who will tell the story of Christ's love for men.

Didymus ( Διδυμος ). The same expression applied to Thomas in 11:16; 21:2, but nowhere else in N.T. Old word for twin (double), "the pessimist of the apostolic band" (Bernard). The term twelve is still applied to the group, though Judas, the traitor, is dead.

We have seen the Lord ( εωρακαμεν τον κυριον ). The very language in the plural that Mary Magdalene had used (20:18) when no one believed her.

Except I shall see ( εαν μη ιδω ). Negative condition of third class with εαν and second aorist active subjunctive and so as to βαλω (from βαλλω ) "and put."

The print ( τον τυπον ). The mark or stamp made by the nails, here the original idea. Various terms as in Ac 7:44; 1Ti 4:12. Finally our "type" as in Ro 5:14. Clearly the disciples had told Thomas that they had seen the τυπον of the nails in his hands and the spear in his side.

I will not believe ( ου μη πιστευσω ). Strong refusal with ου μη (doubtful negative) and first aorist active subjunctive (or future indicative).