John 20:19

The Manifestation to the Ten and others

19. Then the same day, &c. Rather, When therefore it was evening on that day, the first day of the week. Note the great precision of the expression. -That day," that memorable day, the -day of days."

Oh! day of days! shall hearts set free

No minstrel rapture find for thee?

Thou art the Sun of other days,

They shine by giving back thy rays.

Keble, Christian Year, Easter Day.

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.

when the doors were shut 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, is not subject to the ordinary conditions of material bodies. 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.

where the disciples were The best authorities all omit -assembled." S. Luke says more definitely, -the eleven and they that were with them" (Luke 24:33); -the eleven" meaning the Apostolic company, although one was absent. It was natural that the small community of believers should be gathered together, not merely for mutual protection and comfort, but to discuss the reported appearances to the women and to S. Peter.

for fear of the Jews Literally, because of the (prevailing) fear of the Jews(comp. John 7:13). It was not certain that the Sanhedrin would rest content with having put Jesus to death; all the less so as rumours of His being alive again were spreading.

came Jesus 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.

Peace be unto you The ordinary greeting intensified. 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.