John 20:1-18 | Bible Study Questions

Read John 20:1-18
Do you notice any repeated words or ideas?
Which locations are mentioned?
What characters are present?
1. Who is the first witness of the empty tomb?
2. Who is the first disciple to enter the tomb?
What are Jesus' commands to Mary Magdalene? (John 20:17)

Do you think it is significant that Mary is the first witness?
1. Read Luke 8:1-2. Why might God have chosen someone from an un-reputable background like this to be the very first witness of the empty tomb?
2. In John 20:2, does Mary understand yet that Jesus has risen from the dead?
What does the author, John, mention about the grave clothes?
1. Why do you think he makes it clear that they were there and folded?
What has the other disciple (John) believed in verse 8?
1. Why, then, does it say that "as yet they did not understand the Scripture"?
  1. [John and Peter believed their eyes, even though they didn't yet understand that the scriptures pointed to this incredible event.)]
2. How is it that Jesus is how we can make sense of the Scriptures as a whole?
What is Mary's response after realizing that the "gardener" is in fact Jesus?
1. Even though she seems to act appropriately by adoring Jesus (and clinging to him), why do you think he tells her not to cling to him?
2. Why does the news of his ascension mean that she shouldn't cling to him?
  1. What task has she been given?

Whad difference does it make whether we view the resurrection as a factual event or an emotionally pleasing story?
1. What evidences are there here that could persuade you, or those you know, of the factuality of the resurrection?
2. How should the fact that John presents this story as historical fact affect the way we share it with others?
Mary is called beyond passive amazement and into a mission for Jesus.
1. How are you tempted towards passive amazement yourself?
2. What could active mission look like in your life?
3. What could you do this week to share with others "I have seen the Lord".
Pray in light of this passage and about any applications you have made
Sing Jesus, Strong and Kind to God and to one another.

Read John 20:1-18
Do you notice any repeated words or ideas?
Which locations are mentioned?
What characters are present?
1. Who is the first witness of the empty tomb?
2. Who is the first disciple to enter the tomb?
What are Jesus' commands to Mary Magdalene? (John 20:17)

Do you think it is significant that Mary is the first witness?
1. Read Luke 8:1-2. Why might God have chosen someone from an un-reputable background like this to be the very first witness of the empty tomb?
2. In John 20:2, does Mary understand yet that Jesus has risen from the dead?
What does the author, John, mention about the grave clothes?
1. Why do you think he makes it clear that they were there and folded?
What has the other disciple (John) believed in verse 8?
1. Why, then, does it say that "as yet they did not understand the Scripture"?
  1. [John and Peter believed their eyes, even though they didn't yet understand that the scriptures pointed to this incredible event.)]
2. How is it that Jesus is how we can make sense of the Scriptures as a whole?
What is Mary's response after realizing that the "gardener" is in fact Jesus?
1. Even though she seems to act appropriately by adoring Jesus (and clinging to him), why do you think he tells her not to cling to him?
2. Why does the news of his ascension mean that she shouldn't cling to him?
  1. What task has she been given?

Whad difference does it make whether we view the resurrection as a factual event or an emotionally pleasing story?
1. What evidences are there here that could persuade you, or those you know, of the factuality of the resurrection?
2. How should the fact that John presents this story as historical fact affect the way we share it with others?
Mary is called beyond passive amazement and into a mission for Jesus.
1. How are you tempted towards passive amazement yourself?
2. What could active mission look like in your life?
3. What could you do this week to share with others "I have seen the Lord".
Pray in light of this passage and about any applications you have made
Sing Jesus, Strong and Kind to God and to one another.