John 20:19
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
Original Language Analysis
ὀψίας
at evening
G3798
ὀψίας
at evening
Strong's:
G3798
Word #:
3 of 37
late; feminine (as noun) afternoon (early eve) or nightfall (later eve)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμέρᾳ
day
G2250
ἡμέρᾳ
day
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
5 of 37
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
ἐκείνῃ
the same
G1565
ἐκείνῃ
the same
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
6 of 37
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σαββάτων
day of the week
G4521
σαββάτων
day of the week
Strong's:
G4521
Word #:
10 of 37
the sabbath (i.e., shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se'nnight,
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 37
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θυρῶν
the doors
G2374
θυρῶν
the doors
Strong's:
G2374
Word #:
13 of 37
a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συνηγμένοι
assembled
G4863
συνηγμένοι
assembled
Strong's:
G4863
Word #:
19 of 37
to lead together, i.e., collect or convene; specially, to entertain (hospitably)
διὰ
for
G1223
διὰ
for
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
20 of 37
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἦλθεν
came
G2064
ἦλθεν
came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
25 of 37
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
27 of 37
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
28 of 37
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔστη
stood
G2476
ἔστη
stood
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
29 of 37
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
εἰς
in
G1519
εἰς
in
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
30 of 37
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
31 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
33 of 37
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
34 of 37
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
35 of 37
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Cross References
John 20:26And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.John 14:27Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.John 20:21Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.Ephesians 2:14For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;Mark 16:14Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.John 7:13Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.2 Thessalonians 3:16Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.Revelation 1:4John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;1 Corinthians 15:5And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:John 16:33These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Historical Context
The disciples gathered in Jerusalem despite danger, likely in the upper room where they had shared the Last Supper (Mark 14:15, Acts 1:13). First-century Jerusalem remained tense during Passover season with heavy Roman military presence preventing riots. Jewish authorities had successfully executed Jesus; His followers reasonably feared similar treatment. Peter had denied Christ; all had fled—guilt and fear paralyzed them.
Jewish homes typically had simple wooden doors with bar locks. Jesus's ability to appear without opening doors demonstrated His glorified body's properties while maintaining physical continuity (same wounds, v.20). Early Christian confession emphasized Christ's physical resurrection against docetic heresies claiming mere spiritual resurrection. The shift from Sabbath (Saturday) to Lord's Day (Sunday) worship represents one of history's most significant religious changes, explicable only by resurrection reality transforming Jewish believers' practices.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's ability to enter through locked doors speak to areas of your life you've shut off from Him?
- What relationship exists between experiencing Christ's peace and engaging His mission in a hostile world?
- Why did early Christians risk persecution to gather weekly on resurrection day rather than maintain Sabbath observance?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week—John carefully marks time: Sunday evening, resurrection day. This becomes Christianity's new worship day, the Lord's Day (Revelation 1:10), replacing Sabbath observance and marking new creation dawning. When the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews—the locked doors (kekleismenōn, κεκλεισμένων, perfect passive participle indicating completed action with ongoing result) emphasize both fear and the miraculous nature of Jesus's appearance. Their phobos (φόβος, fear) was justified; they expected arrest as followers of an executed criminal.
Came Jesus and stood in the midst—Christ's resurrection body possessed both physical reality (He later eats, shows wounds) and supernatural properties (passing through locked doors). The Greek estē eis to meson (ἔστη εἰς τὸ μέσον) positions Jesus centrally among them, the focus of gathering. His greeting—"Peace be unto you" (eirēnē hymin, εἰρήνη ὑμῖν)—transcends customary shalom greeting. This is the peace He promised (John 14:27, 16:33), purchased through His death, secured by His resurrection, and now personally bestowed. Their fear meets His peace; their locked doors cannot exclude the Risen One who brings reconciliation.