19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Luther's Explanatory Notes
19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”In this Gospel the fruit of faith is praised, and its nature indicated. The fruits of faith are, among others, these two: peace and joy, as St. Paul writes in Gal. 5:22.
Then the same day at evening (that is, on Easter evening,) " the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them." What do the disciples fear? They fear death; yea, they were in the midst of death. But whence came their fear of death? From sin; for if they had not sinned, they would not have been afraid; neither could death have harmed them; for the sting of death by which he kills, is sin. (1 Cor. 15:56) But they are lacking yet in the true knowledge of God. Now it is well to notice that the Lord does not wait till his disciples go after him; but he goes after them through closed doors, salutes them kindly, comforts them and strengthens them in the faith of his resurrection.
Christ's resurrection body. But that he comes to the disciples through closed doors, indicates that after his resurrection, he is no longer bound in his kingdom on earth to a bodily, visible, tangible and worldly existence, such as time, place and space, and can always help unhindered. Further he points out, that where he comes with his power through the office of the word, there he comes not with noise and tumult, storm and uproar, breaks and destroys nothing in external human life and government; breaks and disturbs nothing inwardly in man, in the mind or reason of man, as the devil disorders both by his fanatics, but enlightens and betters the heart.
That he "came and stood in the midst," indicates two things: preaching and faith. That he comes to us means preaching; for the Lord comes into our hearts through the ministry. But that he stands in our hearts is faith.
Peace be unto you. He could not have acted more friendly, than to offer them peace, and show them his hands and his side, in order that they might be comforted by the certainty of his resurrection, and be strengthened by such faith against distress, fear and terror. The salutation is sweet and lovely. For peace, in the Hebrew language, means all good, fortune and prosperity; peace they call it where all goes well, the heart is satisfied and contented. But this peace in Christ is very secret and hidden from the eyes and senses; it is not a visible or tangible peace in outward feeling; but it is inward and spiritual in faith, which seizes and comprehends nothing else than what it hears here: "Peace be with you and fear not," and is satisfied and content with this, that Christ is his friend and God is gracious to him. Worldly peace consists in this, that the outward evil, which causes discord (enemies, poverty and sickness) is removed. But Christian or Spiritual peace reverses it, so that the external misfortune remains, such as enemies, sickness, poverty, sin, devil and death; they are here, pass not away, lie all around us; yet inwardly there is peace, strength and comfort in the heart, that it cares not for misfortune; yea, becomes more courageous and joyful where it is, than where it is not. Thus, it is very properly called such "a peace which passes all understanding and mind." Phil. 4:7.
Whence the peace comes. But such peace comes only from this, when Christ shows us "his hands and his side;" that is, when he points out to us that Christ was crucified for us, His blood was shed and He died, and thereby atoned for our sins, appeased and averted the wrath of God.
The other fruit. From peace now follows the other fruit, as it is writ ten here in the Gospel: "Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord." Yes, indeed, they could not but be glad; for this is truly the greatest joy that the human heart can experience, when it sees again and recognizes the Lord Christ, who before was to him dead and buried. Now the heart knows that it has in him a dear Savior, and through him nothing but peace with God.
The office of the gospel ministry. Next follows the subject of the gospel ministry. The power of faith now extends into love; for it is not yet sufficient, that I have the Lord, so that he is mine; but I must henceforth also do as he has done; that I may bring other people also up to the faith; for thus it follows in the text: "As my Father has sent me, even so send I you." These are excellent words, by which He institutes the office of the ministry, and brings the sufferings and resurrection of Christ into their proper use and exercise; for if there had nothing been given but the history without the gospel ministry, it would not have been of any use to us. With the ministry he shows what he has accomplished by his resurrection; namely, that he has instituted a new government, Christ is therefore appointed as eternal King, that He may be the Lord over sin and righteousness, over death and life; with this His kingdom is to have to do and over this to rule. This is what the Lord means here, when He says, "I send you as the Father hath sent me." For as the holy prophet Isaiah had taught long before how the Father hath sent Christ, (Chap. 61:1,2) "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, to preach good tidings unto the meek," etc. With these his words, "As the Father hath sent me," etc, He takes from the disciples the carnal mind. He does not send them to be occupied with worldly things, but to preach the word of the forgiveness of sins. Secondly, he appoints the apostles and their successors also unto the end of the world as lords, and gives them such great power and might (according to the office,) as Christ, the Son of God, himself possessed.
A special power. To exercise such an office and government requires also a special power, which is not human, but divine; therefore He does not give them swords and weapons, but breathes upon them and says, " Receive the Holy Spirit."
To whom this power is given. Now this power is given to all Christians; that is, to him who is a Christian. But who is a Christian? He who believes. He who believes has the Holy Spirit. All of us, indeed, have this power; but no one shall presume to exercise it openly; (that is, in the church,) except he that has been chosen for this purpose by the congregation. Yet privately I may exercise it, when my neighbor is oppressed in his conscience, that I preach the gospel to him and tell him that his sins are atoned for by Christ.
Whose soever sins you remit, etc. Here we have the true spiritual government. See and learn here how this government is circumscribed and how far it reaches; namely, as far as the world, and yet shall have to do with nothing else but "sin." The Lord comprises here the whole gospel ministry or office of the church in this commandment (not only the absolution.)
Now this is a great and excellent thing, that every true pastor and preacher is the mouthpiece of Christ, and his word and forgiveness is Christ's word and forgiveness. We shall not vainly gaze up to heaven for consolation and forgiveness; but we shall always have it with us in our mouth and in our heart. (Rom. 10:68) But who can express what an unspeakable, mighty and blessed comfort it is, that with one word, one man can open heaven and close hell for another. But if you go on securely and sin obstinately and your pastor reproves you, and retains your sin until you repent, then your sins will be retained against you by Christ himself and by the heavenly Father.
But how can a man forgive sin, when this belongs only to God? This is true; that no man can forgive any sin out of his own worthiness, repentance, merit of the saints or pure order, yet we do it in the name and command of Christ.
24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.The doubting Thomas. Yes, you say, but who knows whether it is certain and sure with God, that my sins are forgiven? Rest upon what Christ says here, verses 21 and 23, and elsewhere (Matt 18:20) "Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them."
This is a real Johannean history, who pays special attention to the miraculous works of the Lord Christ, which pertain to the doctrine of faith. And this history serves the purpose, that the resurrection of Christ is not only proved and asserted by this unbelieving and stubborn Thomas; but that also the power of the resurrection is known and we are benefited thereby.
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. That the Lord came just when Thomas was absent the first time, is for our instruction, both for doctrine and consolation, in order that the documentary proof of the resurrection of the Lord may be the stronger.
25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, etc. One might wonder at first, why the apostles have thus described their own sin and shame; and why the church afterwards so ordered, that these very histories were selected for preaching on the Apostles' Days. But it does not especially concern us, (as it does the papacy) to extol and honor the saints, but that we learn from them, how God is gracious and merciful and has much patience with sinners, if they do not continue in their impenitence. For in the apostles we see what a poor thing the human heart is. Among them all, it seems, Thomas was the most daring and courageous, when he said, (John 11:16 ) "Let us also go, that we may die with him;" then he also recently had seen, how Christ raised up Lazarus ; and yet he imagines that it is at an end with Jesus. Now, he means to say, "No one shall persuade me to believe it, even though I see it, as you say you have seen him." Here we find various sins. The first and greatest is, that he regards Christ no more than one of the other prophets who were mere men.
The second sin is, that he despises his fellow disciples as fools, and regards himself only as wise.
The third sin is, that he thinks Christ must do for him just what he wants, or he will not regard Him. Yea, the dear apostle will himself be lost and condemned, in that he will not believe. For in the article of the resurrection of Christ lies all the power of faith and eternal life. 1. Cor. 15:14, 17, 18.
Thus the Holy Spirit shows us in this example, how unspeakably great is both the obduracy and the timidity of the human heart.
26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”Chirst's appearance to Thomas. Now, what does Christ do with the poor unbelieving man? He does not delay long, but on the eighth day after His resurrection, when Thomas had strengthened himself in his unbelief, and was almost dead, and no one hoped that Christ would show Himself to him specially, He appears to the disciples again and at the same time to Thomas also, and says, "Peace be unto you," comprising in this word also the poor, great sinner, Thomas, that he may have a joyful heart.
“Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side." (favoring him so much more that he not only should see, as the others had seen, but also touch and feel him, as he had said) only that you be no longer "unbelieving, but believing." These things are written for our sake, that we should learn how Christ loves us, and how friendly, paternally, kindly, and mildly He treats us, and will continue to treat us. It may be that He has retained the same signs and marks, which perhaps will shine much brighter and more glorious than his whole body, and that He will exhibit them before the whole world, as the Scripture says, "They shall look upon him whom they have pierced." But that the Lord shows his hands and his feet, he thereby gives us to understand, that His works and no others belong to salvation, for by hands and feet the Scriptures understand the works and conduct. But should any one ask, My dear friend, you speak much of faith, and that our salvation depends entirely upon it, may I ask you, how can we obtain faith? I will tell you. Our Lord Christ has said, "Peace be unto you! Behold my hands, etc." Behold, O man, I am the only one who has taken your sins away, and has redeemed you.
28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”My Lord and my God. This is an excellent word. Thomas is not intoxicated, does not speak sarcastically or jestingly, nor does he mean a false god; therefore he certainly does not lie. Thus he is enlightened by the power of the resurrection of Christ, so that he now certainly believes and confesses that He is his Lord, true God and man, through whom, as he himself now also rose from unbelief — the head fountain of all sins — so he shall arise from death at the last day and live with Christ, in unspeakable glory and blessedness.
29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”Blessed are they that have not seen and yet believe. Mark well and diligently this saying, not only on account of the adversaries, who call it heresy, when we preach that we must be saved by faith only; but also for your own sake, that you may know how to obtain salvation.
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
These signs were done that ye might believe, etc. Such faith must not be a mere dead opinion of the history concerning this Jesus, but one which concludes and is certain that He is the Christ; that is, the promised King and Savior, the Son of God, through whom we are all redeemed from sin and eternal death.
Through his name; that is, not by the law, or our own worthiness, or works; but alone through and on account of his merits, (See Acts, 4:12) "For there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved!"
The resurrection the most important article of faith. It is a fundamental article, because it is the highest and most important, and should therefore remain certain and firm, together with other articles on which our salvation depends. For this article has met with and still meets with the most opposition, and is the most difficult to believe. But upon such testimony, the heart of every Christian should leap with joy, and certainly and without doubt believe that Christ arose from the dead on the third day. For Pilate, the governor, and Caiaphas, the high priest, and all the people of Jerusalem, together with King Herod, are witnesses on the one side; then the apostles testify on the other side, and their testimony goes through the whole world. Thirdly, the work testifies for itself; and lastly, the Holy Scriptures testify. On this we can certainly confide, and need no further special revelation.
Luther's Explanatory Notes on the Gospels, pp. 397-401
