When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Deeper Dive into the Passage

This passage from John 20:19-31 is rich with meaning and offers several insights into the early Christian community and their understanding of Jesus’ resurrection. The repeated greeting “Peace be with you” highlights the importance of peace in the early Christian community. Jesus’ message of peace was crucial for a group living in fear and uncertainty. By breathing the Holy Spirit onto them, Jesus empowered the disciples to forgive sins, emphasising the transformative power of forgiveness. This message remains relevant today, as forgiveness can bring peace to personal and communal conflicts. Thomas’ doubt and subsequent belief underscore the tension between doubt and faith. His story reassures believers that doubt is a natural part of faith. Jesus’ response to Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe,” encourages believers to trust in the unseen. In modern times, this can relate to trusting in the goodness of others or in a hopeful future despite current challenges.

The passage serves as a testament to the resurrection, aiming to strengthen the faith of early Christians. The author of John’s Gospel wrote for a community that had not witnessed Jesus’ life firsthand. By documenting these events, the author sought to affirm Jesus’ identity as the Messiah and encourage belief. Today, this passage invites us to reflect on the transformative power of faith and how it can shape our lives. The account of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances is central to Christian belief. While historical verification is challenging, the consistency of resurrection narratives across the gospels suggests a foundational event that profoundly impacted Jesus’ followers.

“Now many signs and wonders were done among the people through the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared to join them, but the people held them in high esteem. Yet more than ever believers were added to the Lord, great numbers of both men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mats, in order that Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he came by. A great number of people would also gather from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all cured.”

Deeper Dive into the Passage

The passage highlights the early Christian community’s growth and the apostles’ role in fostering this through miraculous acts. The writer, traditionally believed to be Luke, aimed to show how the apostles’ actions validated their divine mission, attracting more believers. The emphasis on signs and wonders underscores the divine authority bestowed upon the apostles. This was crucial for the early Church to establish credibility and distinguish itself from other religious movements of the time. The narrative of people seeking healing through Peter’s shadow illustrates the profound faith of the early Christians. It reflects a belief in the tangible presence of divine power working through the apostles.

The Book of Acts was written in the first century, a time when the early Church was establishing its identity amidst Roman and Jewish societies. The passage conveys the apostles’ divine endorsement through miracles, which was essential for legitimising their message. The audience, primarily early Christians and potential converts, would have found encouragement in these accounts of divine intervention.

Today, this passage can be seen as a testament to the power of faith and community. It reminds us of the importance of unity and belief in achieving collective goals. A modern parallel might be how communities rally around a cause, drawing strength from shared beliefs and actions. While the miraculous events described may be seen as symbolic or exaggerated by some scholars, they reflect the early Church’s experiences and beliefs. The historical accuracy of such accounts is debated, but they serve as powerful narratives of faith and community.

“Now many signs and wonders were done among the people through the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared to join them, but the people held them in high esteem. Yet more than ever believers were added to the Lord, great numbers of both men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mats, in order that Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he came by. A great number of people would also gather from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all cured.“

Deeper Dive into the Passage

The passage highlights the early Christian community’s growth and the apostles’ role in performing miracles. This suggests that the writer, traditionally believed to be Luke, aimed to show the divine endorsement of the apostles’ mission and the burgeoning Christian movement. The emphasis on signs and wonders underscores the divine power working through the apostles, particularly Peter. This could be interpreted as a way to establish the apostles’ authority and legitimacy in the eyes of both believers and non-believers. The act of bringing the sick into the streets for healing reflects the deep faith of the early Christians. It illustrates the belief in the tangible presence of God’s power through the apostles, which was a compelling message for the original audience.

The passage was written in a time when the early Church was establishing its identity and authority. The miracles performed by the apostles served as a testament to their divine mission and helped to attract new believers. For the original audience, this was a powerful narrative of hope and divine intervention. Today, this passage can be seen as a reminder of the power of faith and community. In modern times, we might relate this to how communities come together to support each other in times of need, much like how people gathered around the apostles for healing. It also speaks to the importance of leadership and the impact of actions that inspire faith and trust. The account in Acts is generally considered a theological narrative rather than a strict historical record. While the events may have a historical basis, the emphasis is on conveying theological truths about the early Church’s divine mission and growth.

“I, John, your brother who share with you in Jesus the persecution and the kingdom and the patient endurance, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, ‘Write in a book what you see and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamum, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.’ Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands I saw one like the Son of Man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash across his chest… When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he placed his right hand on me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever; and I have the keys of Death and of Hades. Now write what you have seen, what is, and what is to take place after this.'”

Deeper Dive into the Passage

The Book of Revelation was written during a time of persecution for early Christians, likely under Roman rule. John, the author, is believed to be addressing the seven churches in Asia Minor, offering them hope and encouragement amidst their trials. The imagery of Christ as the “Son of Man” among the lampstands symbolises His presence and authority over the churches. The vision of Christ among the lampstands can be interpreted as a message of reassurance that Christ is with His followers, guiding and protecting them. The instruction to write and send the vision to the seven churches underscores the importance of sharing divine revelations for communal edification.

Today, this passage can be seen as a reminder of Christ’s enduring presence in the Church and His sovereignty over all circumstances. For instance, in times of personal or communal crisis, believers might find solace in knowing that Christ walks among them, just as He did with the early churches. The Book of Revelation is apocalyptic literature, rich in symbolism and metaphor. While the historical accuracy of John’s vision as a literal event is debated, its theological and spiritual truths remain significant for believers.