John 20:19

19. Before σαββάτων omit τῶν (from John 20:1), and before διά omit συνηγμένοι (explanatory gloss).

19. οὔσης οὖν ὀψ. Note the great precision of the expression. When therefore it was evening on that day, the first of the week: that memorable day, the ‘day of days.’ Comp. John 1:39; John 5:9; John 11:49; John 18:13, where ‘that’ has a similar meaning. Evidently the hour is late; the disciples have returned from Emmaus (Luke 24:23), and it was evening when they left Emmaus. At least it must be long after sunset, when the second day of the week, according to the Jewish reckoning, would begin. And S. John speaks of it as still part of the first day. This is a point in favour of S. John’s using the modern method in counting the hours: it has a special bearing on the explanation of ‘the seventh hour’ in John 4:52. See notes there and on John 19:14.

τ. θυρῶν κεκλ. This is mentioned both here and John 20:26 to shew that the appearance was miraculous. After the Resurrection Christ’s human form, though still real and corporeal (Luke 24:39), is not subject to the ordinary conditions of material bodies. It is ἐν�, ἐν δόξῃ, ἐν δυνάμει, πνευματικόν (1 Corinthians 15:42-44). Before the Resurrection He was visible, unless He willed it otherwise; after the Resurrection it would seem that He was invisible, unless He willed it otherwise. Comp. Luke 24:31. Οἱ μαθηταί includes more than the Apostles, as is clear from Luke 24:33. It was natural that the small community of believers should come together, to discuss the reported appearances of the Lord, as well as for mutual comfort and support under the (prevailing) fear of the Jews (comp. John 7:13). The Sanhedrin might go on to attack Jesus’ disciples; all the more so now that rumours of His being alive were spreading.

ἦλθεν ὁ Ἰ. It is futile to discuss how; that the doors were miraculously opened, as in S. Peter’s release from prison, is neither stated nor implied. For εἰς after ἔστη comp. John 19:13, (John 21:4). His greeting is the ordinary greeting intensified. For this very simple form of it comp. Judges 6:23; 1 Chronicles 12:18. His last word to them in their sorrow before His Passion (John 16:33), His first word to them in their terror (Luke 24:37) at His return, is ‘Peace.’ Possibly the place was the same; the large upper room where they had last been all together.