John 20:19

"Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her."

Key Reflection

In the wake of Jesus' crucifixion, Mary Magdalene was among the first to encounter the risen Christ, who appeared to her before appearing to the disciples (John 20:18). Her testimony, though not initially shared with the disciples due to their fear and seclusion (John 20:19), would have been significant as it came from someone directly connected to Jesus during his ministry. The original audience, including the disciples themselves, might have felt a mix of relief and confusion; relief that Jesus was alive but uncertain about the implications for their mission in light of their current fear and isolation.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 19. The same day at evening. On the first day of the week, the day of the resurrection of Christ. When the doors were shut. This does not mean that the doors were fastened, though that might have been the case, but only that they were closed. Jesus had been taken from them, and it was natural that they should apprehend that the Jews would next attempt to wreak their vengeance on his followers. Hence they met in the evening, and with closed doors, lest the Jews should bring against them the same charge of sedition that they had against the Lord Jesus.

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