Easter Season · Year B
Second Sunday of Easter (Sunday of Divine Mercy)
April 4, 2027
Overview & Insights
“My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)
The scene shifts from the tomb in the garden to a locked room somewhere in Jerusalem, and from “early on the first day of the week” (v. 1) to the evening of that first day of the week (v. 19). Despite the faith of the beloved disciple (v. 8) and despite the message brought by Mary Magdalene (v. 18), the disciples as a group are still afraid. Their reaction to her message is not recorded in John’s Gospel, but another tradition appended to Mark by later scribes states that after Mary had seen Jesus she “went and told those who had been with him” and found them “mourning and weeping. When they heard her say that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it” (Mark 16:10; cf. the apostles’ reaction to the report of the women who had seen the angels at the tomb according to Luke 24:11).
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Commentary
John 20 - An Empty Tomb and A Risen Jesus Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik covers the locked-room appearances and Thomas verse by verse.
John 20:19 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators on the evening appearance, the gift of the Spirit, and peace be with you.
John 20 Commentary Precept Austin
A verse-by-verse study hub gathering multiple scholars on the Thomas narrative.
John 20:19-31 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Scott Hoezee's Reformed reading of how the risen Jesus frees the disciples from fear for mission.
Commentary on John 20:19-31 Working Preacher
Scholarly exegesis of this exact Second Sunday of Easter Gospel pericope.
John 20 Scripture Reflections Word on Fire · Bishop Barron
Catholic homiletic reflections gathered on the Divine Mercy Sunday Gospel.
Second Sunday of Easter, Cycle B: Sunday Connection Loyola Press · Sunday Connection
Catholic catechetical reflection and discussion questions on the Divine Mercy Gospel.
Background & Word Study
Enter the Bible: John 20 Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on the resurrection appearances and the purpose statement in verses 30-31.
The Gospel of John Overview BibleProject
Animated overview of John's design and its climactic call to believe.
John 20:19 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek word-by-word text with parsing for the evening appearance.
What do we learn from 'doubting' Thomas in John 20? Psephizo · Ian Paul
Ian Paul's Anglican study of Thomas, the wounds, and the highest confession in the Gospel.
The Church Fathers
Sermons & Reflections
Questions preachers ask
What happens when Jesus appears to the disciples?
The risen Jesus comes through locked doors, gives them peace and the Holy Spirit, and a week later invites doubting Thomas to touch his wounds; Thomas confesses him Lord and God.
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