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Easter Season · Second Sunday of Easter · Year C

John 20:19-31

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

April 23, 2028

Appearance Behind Locked Doors (Maestà), Duccio di Buoninsegna
Appearance Behind Locked Doors (Maestà), Duccio di Buoninsegna, 1308–1311Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Siena
One of the small narrative panels from the back of Duccio's Maestà, the altarpiece carried through Siena in procession in 1311. The door is painted shut and bolted, and Christ is simply inside.The doors being locked is the detail John insists on, and Duccio painted the bolt.Duccio di BuoninsegnaThe founder of Sienese painting, who kept the gold and the Byzantine patterns while letting real feeling into the faces.Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, SienaThe cathedral's own museum, built into an unfinished nave, where Duccio's Maestà has been kept since it was taken off the altar.Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Siena
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelJohn 20:19-31Jn 20:19-31
EpistleRev. 1:4-8Rev 1:4-8
Old TestamentActs 5:27-32
PsalterPs. 118:14-29Ps 118:14-29 orPs. 150Ps 150

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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Take it further: John 20:19-31

Commentary

Commentary on John 20:19-31Commentary on Jn 20:19-31 Working Preacher

Exegesis of the locked-room appearance and Thomas's confession.

John 20:19-31 CommentaryJn 20:19-31 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed preaching commentary on the disciples' fear and the risen Christ's peace.

John 20Jn 20 Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse-by-verse evangelical commentary covering the whole resurrection chapter.

John 20 CommentaryJn 20 Commentary Precept Austin

A collated verse-by-verse study with word notes on the appearances and Thomas's doubt.

John 20:19Jn 20:19 BibleHub

Aggregates classic commentaries verse by verse from the locked-room scene.

Locked Doors, Easter 2 (C) Sermons That Work · Episcopal Church

An Anglican homily on the fear behind the locked doors and Christ's entry into it.

Background & Word Study

John 20:19 InterlinearJn 20:19 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek interlinear text for the peace greeting and the Spirit breathed on the disciples.

The Church Fathers

John 20, patristic commentaryJn 20, patristic commentary Catena

Early church commentary gathered verse by verse on Thomas and the risen Christ's wounds.

Sermons & Reflections

Doubting Thomas Journey with Jesus

An essay reframing Thomas's honest doubt as a path to deeper faith.

Worship & Prayers

Second Sunday of Easter, Year C The Lectionary Page

Anglican collect and full appointed readings for the Sunday.

Podcast

Sermon Brainwave #660: Second Sunday of Easter Working Preacher

Scholars discuss all four Easter 2C readings for preachers.

Art & Music

Art in the Christian Tradition, Easter 2 (Year C) Vanderbilt

Curated art, images, and hymn suggestions tied to this Sunday's texts.

Study Hub

John 20:19-31 Lectionary ResourcesJn 20:19-31 Lectionary Resources Textweek

A curated hub of commentaries, sermons, and study links gathered for this passage.

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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