john 20

Read John 20 at Bible Gateway.

John 20:1-29 chiastic structure:

(The structure is so unusual I don’t know if it can be called a proper chiastic structure):

1a) Joh 20:1-19b, Mary Magdalene saw the risen Lord and believed;

1a) Joh 20:1a, Now on the first day of the week;

1b) Joh 20:1b, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark/ the stone had been taken away;

1c) Joh 20:2, She told Simon Peter + other disciple: They have taken away the Lord, and we do not know where they have laid Him;

1d) Joh 20:3-10, He saw and believed;

1a) Joh 20:3, Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb;
1b) Joh 20:4-8a, They came to the tomb and went in, seeing only the linen gravecloths;
central axis) Joh 20:8b, And he (the other disciple whom Jesus loved) saw and believed;
2b) Joh 20:9, For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead;
2a) Joh 20:10, Then the disciples went away again to their own homes;

2d) Joh 20:11-17, Mary saw the risen Lord;

1a) Joh 20:11-12, Mary’s sorrow: she stood outside the tomb weeping;
1b.1) Joh 20:13a, The angels said to her: Woman, why are you weeping?;
1b.2) Joh 20:13b, Mary: They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him;
central axis) Joh 20:14, “Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus;”
2b.1) Joh 20:15a, Jesus said to her: Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?;
2b.2) Joh 20:15b, Mary, supposing Him to be the gardener: Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him;
2a) Joh 20:16-17, Mary’s joy: Jesus revealed Himself to her + go to My brethren;

2c) Joh 20:18, Mary Magdalene told the disciples that she had seen the Lord + He had spoken these things to her;

2b) Joh 20:19a, Then, the same day at evening;

2a) Joh 20:19b, Being the first day of the week;

2a) Joh 20:19c-29, The disciples saw the risen Lord and believed/ blessed are those who have not seen, yet believe;

1a.1) Joh 20:19c, The doors were shut where the disciples were/ Jesus came + stood in the midst: Peace be with you;
1a.2) Joh 20:20a, When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side;
1a.3) Joh 20:20b, Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord;

1b) Joh 20:20b, Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord;

central axis) Joh 20:21-23, So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And 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;”

2b) Joh 20:24-25, Thomas, not being there: Unless I see His hands + side, I will not believe;

2a.1) Joh 20:26, And after eight days His disciples + Thomas were inside/ Jesus came, the doors being shut + stood in the midst: Peace to you!;
2a.2) Joh 20:27, Jesus to Thomas: See My hands + side; Do not be unbelieving, but believing;
2a.3) Joh 20:28-29, Jesus: Because you have seen Me, you have believed + blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.