12/1/22: I just found out that most of the commentaries on the Bible Study Tools website are no longer free. That's where most of the quotes that appear on the "Verse of the Day" and "Previous Verses" pages of my website are taken from, so from now on, many of the "Source:" links that I provide on those pages will not contain the quoted text.

I was disgusted to read about the organization's new "PLUS" membership, and the only thing I can say about it is that the Bible has this warning in 1 Timothy 6:10 for the owner of Bible Study Tools: "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
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8/8/21: Something is wrong with my Christian forum. Everything seems to be working normally (i.e., the articles are there, and the links work), but for some reason, the forum's format has changed slightly, and I am currently unable to post anything new.

I'm really sorry for the inconvenience. Hopefully, the problem is only temporay and will be fixed soon.

See "Apr '25A" in Archives for April 1-18, 2025.
Unfortunately, I ran out of space for this month's file.

APRIL 30
Romans 8:35,36,37

The "Love of Christ" is Powerful

Romans 8:35: "Who [or what] shall separate us [born-again Christians] from the love of [Jesus] Christ [i.e., from his love for us]?

shall tribulation [great trouble or suffering],

or distress [extreme anxiety, sadness, or pain],

or persecution [cruel or unfair treatment, especially due to race (White, Black or African American, Asian, etc.), or religious or political beliefs],

or famine [shortage of food],

or nakedness [no clothes],

or peril [danger of any kind],

or sword [death by the sword, including beheading]

[separate us from the love of Christ:]?

Romans 8:36: As it is written [in the Bible--in Psalm 44:22, in a prayer to God, referring to the calamities (disastrous events, which cause great harm and misery) that had been happening to Christians in the Old Testament], For thy [your] sake [or 'because we worship you, dear Lord'] we are killed [or exposed to death] all the day long [or constantly]; we are accounted [regarded by our enemies] as sheep [who are destined or headed] for the slaughter [which meant that the Christians would be killed or butchered by their enemies without remorse (feelings of regret or guilt)].

Romans 8:37: Nay [no], in all these things [listed above, in Romans 8:35] we [Christians] are more than conquerors [or 'we are victorious or gain the victory'] through [the power of] him that loved us [referring to the Lord Jesus Christ, per Philippians 4:13]."
GotQuestions.org has an article that answers the following question: "What does it mean that we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37)?" If you want to read it, here's the link: https://www.gotquestions.org/more-than-conquerors.html.

APRIL 29
Numbers 32:20,21,22,23

The Importance of Keeping Our Promises to God

Numbers 32:20: "And Moses said unto them [the children (descendants) of Gad and Reuben, who made up two of the twelve tribes of Israel], If ye [you] will do this thing [which you have promised; that is], if ye will go armed before the LORD [with the ark of the covenant, which signified (was a sign of) God's presence] to war [along with the other ten tribes of Israel],"

Numbers 32:21,22: "And [if you] will go all of you [referring to men only, not women and children] armed over [across] [the river] Jordan before the [ark of the] LORD, until he [God] hath [has] driven out his enemies from before him, And [until] the land [of Canaan] be [or 'is'] subdued [conquered, brought under subjection or control] before the LORD: then afterward ye shall return [to this side of the river], and be guiltless [free from guilt, innocent, blameless] before the LORD, and before [the rest of the tribes of] Israel; and this land [of Gilead] shall be your possession before the LORD."

Numbers 32:23: "But if ye will not do so [i.e., keep your promise to join in the battle to subdue the land of Canaan], behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out [meaning their disobedience would be known to and punished by God]."
There is background information concerning the above verses in the following articles:

-- "What can we learn from the tribe of Gad?"
    (https://www.gotquestions.org/tribe-of-Gad.html)

-- "Why did Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh want to live on the east side of Jordan?"
    (https://www.gotquestions.org/east-of-Jordan.html)
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In addition, I found a map of Old Testament Israel showing where the various tribes settled. If you want to view it, here's the link: https://ibiblemaps.com/tribal-allotments-of-israel-2/.

Here are two articles from GotQuestions.org about sin:

-- "What does Numbers 32:23 mean when it says, 'Be sure your sin will find you out'?"
    (https://www.gotquestions.org/be-sure-your-sin-will-find-you-out.html)

-- "How does my personal, private sin affect others?"
    (https://www.gotquestions.org/private-sin.html)

APRIL 27-28

Proverbs 27:7: "The full soul [for example, a rich person, who has too much of everything--food, possessions, etc.] loatheth [loathes, rejects, has no desire for] an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul [someone who is poor and has few (only a small number of) possessions and nothing to eat] every bitter [harsh or unpleasant] thing is sweet."
According to Pastor Delany of Salem Bible Church, the above verse applies to more than just food and honey. What it means is that people who have lots of stuff usually don't appreciate what they have, and people who have don't have very much tend to appreciate the little things.
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In paragraph 2 of the second half of his commentary, Pastor Delany gives the following examples to illustrate his point that "To the hungry man, 'every bitter thing is sweet'":

"a. Here is the paradox [contradiction]:
"• To the full man, sweet things (like a honeycomb or multiple [more than one, or many] luxury [high-end, expensive] homes) become common place and eventually even distasteful. They can become a source of bitterness. Things that are sweet to others become bitter to him.
"• To the hungry man, bitter things (things that others might consider bitter) become sweet. For example, if you told your kids that they were having Fig Newtons [a type of cookie] for dessert, they might complain. To them, Fig Newtons are not a treat. To them, it is a bitter experience. But trying offering Fig Newtons to a child in Bangladesh [a country in South Asia]! To him who is hungry it is sweet!

"b. To most of us, if someone said that you were going to become a millionaire next month, we would probably say, 'That's sweet!'
"• But if you were a billionaire, and someone said that you were going to become a millionaire next month, he would see that as a bitter experience [because it means he would lose lots of money, since 1,000 million = 1 billion]!
"• Depending upon your present circumstances, things might be either bitter or sweet.
"• When it comes to food, there's a big difference between a man who is hungry and a man who is full. Their appreciation of a cookie might vary greatly.
"• When it comes to material goods [such as cars, houses, clothing, and food], there is a big difference between a man who is full (wealthy) and a man who is hungry (poor). The rich man cannot appreciate the little things as the poor man does.
"• Solomon experienced that daily--and he saw it on the faces of the poor [people] daily. He saw poor men rejoicing [expressing happiness or joy] over that which would seem so trivial [unimportant] an[d] insignificant to him--like one small coin; or a little [or small] cottage; or one ewe [female] lamb.
"• The poor man given the little cottage to live in would rejoice beyond measure [or exceedingly, or greatly]; a king given a little cottage to live in would be bitter. It would be like a prison to him."
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Proverbs 27:7 also has a spiritual application, because, as Pastor Delany points out, "To the unbeliever [or unsaved person], the Word of God [as recorded in the Bible] and its message is a bitter pill [something that is unpleasant or difficult to accept] … But to the believer [a born-again Christian], the Word of God is sweeter than a honeycomb!"
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If you want to read the rest of the commentary, click on https://www.salembible.org/proverbs/, then scroll down to "27:7."

APRIL 26

James 1:17: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh [comes] down [to us, from heaven] from the Father of lights [or 'from God,' who is the source of light], with whom [there] is no variableness [variation, change], neither [nor] [is there] shadow of turning [like there is with the sun--see note below*]."
According to the above verse, all good things come from God.

*Regarding the last part of today's verse, Albert Barnes wrote:

"With whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning - The design here is clearly to contrast God with the sun [or to show their differences] in a certain respect. As the source of light, there is a strong resemblance [similarity] [between them]. But in the sun there are certain changes. It does not shine on all parts of the earth at the same time, nor in the same manner all the year. It [the sun] rises and sets; it crosses the line, and seems to go far to the south, and sends its rays obliquely [slantwise] on the earth; then it ascends [rises upward] to the north, recrosses the line, and sends its rays obliquely on southern regions. By its revolutions [or rotation] it produces the changes of the seasons [i.e., spring, summer, fall, and winter], and makes a constant variety on the earth in the productions of different climes [climates]. In this respect God is not indeed like the sun. With him there is no variableness [or tendency to change], not even the appearance of turning. He [God] is always the same, at all seasons of the year, and in all ages [time periods]; there is no change in his character, his mode [manner] of being, his purposes and plans. What he was millions of ages before the worlds were made, he is now; what he is now, he will be [later,] countless millions of ages hence [in the future]. We may be sure that whatever changes there may be in human affairs; whatever reverses we may undergo; whatever oceans we may cross, or whatever mountains we may climb, or in whatever worlds we may hereafter take up our abode [place of residence], God is the same … The phrase rendered 'shadow of turning' would properly refer to the different shade or shadow cast by the sun from an object, in its various revolutions, in rising and setting, and in its changes at the different seasons of the year. God, on the other hand, is as if the sun stood in the meridian [mid-point of the circle of the earth] at noon-day, and never cast [put forth] any shadow."

(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/james-1.html, "Verse 17")
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A GotQuestions.org article about God being the "Father of lights" is called "What does it mean that there is no shadow of turning with God (James 1:17)?" Click here if you want to read it: https://www.gotquestions.org/no-shadow-of-turning.html.

In my opinion, the best gift that a person can have is the gift of eternal life, which (according to Romans 6:23) comes from God.
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Note: If you have not yet received God's gift but would like to do so, please read one or more of my gospel tracts, which can be found on the "Printable Gospel Tracts" page of this website. Here's the link: https://www.mansioninheaven.com/PrintableGospelTracts.html.

APRIL 25
Revelation 12:7,8,9

Eventually, Satan and His Angels Will Be Thrown Out of Heaven

This is part of what the apostle John saw when God gave him a vision of events that occurred, both in heaven and on earth, in the past and other events that will occur in the future:

Revelation 12:7-8: "And there was war in heaven: Michael [the archangel, an angel of high rank] and his angels [i.e., the good angels who reported to him] fought against the dragon [Satan]; and the dragon fought [against Michael and the good angels] and [so did] his [followers--the evil, or rebellious] angels, And [Satan and the bad angels] prevailed not [did not win the fight]; neither was their place found any more in heaven."

Revelation 12:9: "And the great dragon [Satan] was cast [thrown] out [of heaven], that old serpent [as he had appeared to Eve in the Garden of Eden], [who is also] called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth [or 'who deceives,' or hides the truth from and misleads (tricks, fools), everyone in] the whole world [and, thus, leads us into error and sin]: he [Satan] was cast out into the earth, and his angels [who are now called demons] were cast out [of heaven] with him."
Satan knows that one day he will be kicked out of heaven by God, and he also knows that Jesus will come back soon and take over control of the world (John 12:31, Revelation 20:10). Satan is angry and desperate and able to influence people's behavior. That's part of the reason why there is so much immorality, perversion, anger and hatred, rioting and wars, etc., on the earth today and why things keep getting worse and worse, especially for the nation of Israel.

John's heavenly vision is recorded in the 12th chapter of Revelation, which can be found here:  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2012&version=KJV.
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GotQuestions.org explains John's vision in their article entitled "What does Revelation chapter 12 mean?" If you want to read it, here's the link: https://www.gotquestions.org/Revelation-chapter-12.html.

Here are some more GotQuestions.org articles that relate to today's verses:

-- "Is the war in heaven in Revelation 12 describing Satan's original fall or an end times angelic battle?"
    (https://www.gotquestions.org/war-in-heaven.html)

-- "Who is Michael the archangel?"
    (https://www.gotquestions.org/Michael-the-archangel.html)

-- "Who is the ancient serpent of Revelation 12:9?"
    (https://www.gotquestions.org/ancient-serpent.html)

APRIL 24

Romans 12:18: "If it be possible, as much as lieth [lies] in you [meaning as long as it's within your power (ability) to do so], live peaceably [peacefully, in peace] with all men [or, in this case, 'all people' or 'everyone']."
Regarding the phrase as much as lieth in you, Albert Barnes said:

"This implies two things:

"(1) We are to do our utmost endeavors [or 'try as hard as possible'] to preserve peace, and to appease [pacify, placate, try to reduce] the anger and malice [hatred, ill will]  of others.

"(2) We are not to 'begin' or to 'originate' [start] a quarrel.

"So far as 'we' are concerned, we are to seek peace. But then it does not always depend on us. Others may oppose and persecute [mistreat] us; they will hate religion, and may slander [lie about], revile [criticize, condemn], and otherwise injure [harm] us; or they may commence [begin] an assault [a physical attack] on our persons [or 'on our bodies'] or property. For 'their' assaults we are not answerable; but we are answerable for our conduct [behavior] toward them; and on no occasion are we to commence a warfare [conflict] with them. It may not be 'possible' to prevent their injuring and opposing us; but it is possible not to begin a contention [argument, disagreement] with them; and 'when they' have commenced a strife [disagreement], [it is possible] to seek peace, and to evince [display, show] a Christian spirit. This command doubtless [undoubtedly, without a doubt] extends to everything connected with strife; and means that we are not to 'provoke' them to controversy, or to prolong it when it is commenced … If all Christians would follow this command, if they would never 'provoke' to controversy, if they would injure no man by slander [false accusation, character assassination] or by unfair dealing, if they would compel [force] none [or 'no one'] to prosecute them in law [or 'to file charges against them in a court of law'] by lack of punctuality in payment of debts [i.e., for not paying their bills on time] or [lack of] honesty in business, if they would do nothing to irritate, or to prolong a controversy when it is commenced, it would put an end to no small part of the strife that exists in the world."

(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb/romans-12.html, "Verse 18")

Regarding the above verse, James Burton Coffman, another Bible commentator wrote:

"… while allowing theoretical situations where peace could not honorably be maintained, we should strictly heed the principle of avoiding discord [disagreements]. [Jesus] Christ taught [in Matthew 5:38-39,40-42] that people should give the cloak [a loose outer garment, like a cape or a coat] also, go the second mile, turn the other cheek, and avoid conflict by any honorable means whatsoever. What a shameful contrast is the conduct of some persons, allegedly [supposedly] Christian, who are ever [forever, always] spoiling for strife [or 'looking for a fight'], and who, far from avoiding it, actually seek and enjoy all kinds of confrontations [conflicts, fights] that lead to bitterness and contention."

(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/romans/12-18.html, "Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible")

GotQuestions.org has a good article that relates to today's verse. It's entitled "What does it mean to live peaceably with all (Romans 12:18)?" and can be found here: https://www.gotquestions.org/live-peaceably-with-all.html.

APRIL 23
Mark 16:14,15

Jesus Wants Us to Preach the Gospel

This took place soon after Jesus' resurrection, when he appeared to "the eleven" apostles (i.e., the ones who were left after Judas Iscariot, the traitor, had hanged himself), minus Thomas, who was temporarily absent from the group:

Mark 16:14: "Afterward [after being seen by Mary Magdalene and others following his resurrection,] he [Jesus] appeared unto the eleven [apostles] as they sat at meat [or 'while they were eating'], and upbraided [scolded] them with [for] their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not [meaning they didn't believe the testimony of eyewitnesses, referring to] them which [or 'those who'] had seen him after he was risen [from the dead]."

Mark 16:15: "And he [Jesus] said unto them [the apostles--and all Christians who hear and/or read these words:], Go ye [you] into all the world [or 'go everywhere'], and preach the gospel [the good news that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day, per 1 Corinthians 15:3-4,5-6--see note below*] to every creature [or 'to all people,' not just Jews]."
According to Romans 10:13-14 (see below), people can't be saved from hell if they don't know about Jesus and the plan of salvation. That's why Jesus encouraged Christians to "preach the gospel to every creature."
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-- Romans 10:13: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

-- Romans 10:14: "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?"

*What Jesus meant by gospel is explained in the article entitled "What is the gospel?" If you want to read it, here's the link: https://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-the-gospel.html.

APRIL 21-22
John 20:24,25,26,27,28,29

"Doubting Thomas" Wants Proof of Jesus' Resurrection

In the evening of his resurrection day, Jesus appeared to all but one of his disciples (Thomas) in the place where they were assembled (gathered), which convinced them that he (Jesus) had risen from the dead.

John 20:24: "But Thomas, one of the twelve [disciples of Jesus], called Didymus, was not with them [the other disciples] when Jesus came [to visit]."

John 20:25: "The other disciples therefore said unto him [Thomas], We have seen the Lord [Jesus]. But he [Thomas] said unto them [the disciples], Except I shall see in his [Jesus'] hands the print of the nails [that he was crucified with], and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust [insert, put] my hand into his side [i.e., the side in which he had been stabbed with a sword], I will not believe [that he is alive]."

John 20:26: "And after eight days again [or 'eight days later'] his [Jesus'] disciples were within [the same house where they had gathered before], and Thomas [was] with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut [for privacy and protection], and stood in the midst [middle] [of the group of disciples], and said, Peace be unto you." [See Note 1 below.]

John 20:27: "Then saith he [Jesus] to Thomas [sometimes called 'Doubting Thomas' due to his unbelief--see Note 2 below], Reach hither [reach out] thy [your] finger, and behold [touch] my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust [push, shove] it into my side: and be not [or 'do not be'] faithless [without faith, unbelieving], but [be] believing."

John 20:28: "And [when he saw (and perhaps touched) Jesus' wounds,] Thomas answered and said unto him [Jesus], My Lord and my God."

John 20:29: "Jesus saith [said] unto him, Thomas, because thou hast [you have] seen me, thou hast believed [that I am alive]: blessed [happy] are they that have not seen [me in person], and yet have believed [the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3-4); i.e., that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on the cross to pay for our sins, and that he was buried and rose again the third day].
Charles Spurgeon ended his commentary on John 20 by writing this:

"Now, dear friends, has the purpose, for which this Book [of John] was written, been answered in your case? Have you been led to 'believe that Jesus is the Christ [meaning 'Messiah'--see Note 3 below], the Son of God,' and so to believe that you 'have [eternal] life through his name'? If not, why not? May you have grace to answer that question, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake! Amen."

(Source: https://www.truthaccordingtoscripture.com/commentaries/spe/john-20.php, go to "Verses 19-31" and scroll down to the end)
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If you answered "no" to the above question by Charles Spurgeon, the article entitled "Is there power in the name of Jesus?" may help to convince you otherwise. Here's the link: https://www.gotquestions.org/power-in-the-name-of-Jesus.html.

NOTE 1:

According to GotQuestions.org:

"We get a glimpse of what our resurrection bodies will be like when we recall Jesus' post-resurrection appearances. He still had visible wounds [i.e., they were able to be seen], and His disciples could physically touch Him, yet He was able to travel effortlessly and appear and disappear at will. He could go through walls and doors yet could also eat and drink and sit and talk. Scripture [or 'The Bible] informs us that our 'lowly bodies' will be just 'like His glorious body' (Philippians 3:21). Indeed, the physical limitations imposed by sin that hinder [prevent] our ability to fully serve Him [the Lord Jesus Christ] on earth will be forever gone, freeing us to praise and serve and glorify Him for eternity."

(Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/resurrection-body.html, "How will our resurrection body be different from our current body?")

NOTE 2:

GotQuestions.org has some background information on Thomas. It's in an article entitled "Who was Thomas in the Bible?" and can be found here: https://www.gotquestions.org/Thomas-in-the-Bible.html.
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Many Christians have doubts about important things, like Thomas did. The article entitled "How can I avoid being a doubting Thomas?" offers some insight about that. If you want to read it, here's the link: https://www.gotquestions.org/doubting-Thomas.html,
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Please note: I think that the above article about how to avoid being a "doubting Thomas" is good, but it contains something that I disagree with, so I just want to clear that up.

In paragraph 6, the article says, "Faith is the gift of God to His children (Ephesians 2:8-9) …," but I think that's wrong, because although you are saved through faith (according to Ephesians 2:8), eternal life (not faith) is the gift of God (according to Romans 6:23).

Here's what the Bible says:

-- Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it [salvation] is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

-- Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

NOTE 3:

"What does Christ mean?" is answered in the GotQuestions.org article by the same name. If you want to read it, here's the link: https://www.gotquestions.org/what-does-Christ-mean.html.

APRIL 20
Matthew 28:1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

The Resurrection of Jesus: Part 2
(When the women are finally allowed to touch the resurrected Jesus)

Matthew 28:1: "In the end of the [Jewish weekly] sabbath [a day of rest and worship, which took place every Saturday], as it began to dawn toward [Sunday,] the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary [i.e., wife of Cleopas, and mother of James and Joses (or 'Joseph')] to see the sepulchre [the tomb in which the body of the crucified Jesus had been placed]."

Matthew 28:2-3,4: "And, behold, there was a great [or very strong] earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended [came down] from heaven, and came and rolled back the [very large, heavy] stone from the door [of the sepulchre], and sat upon it. His [the angel's] countenance [outward appearance] was [bright and shining] like lightning, and his raiment [clothing] [was as] white as snow: And for fear of him [or 'due to fear of the angel'] the keepers [the Roman soldiers who were guarding the tomb] did shake [tremble], and became as dead men [i.e., they probably fainted from fright, because they were terrified by what had just happened]."

Matthew 28:5-6,7: "And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye [or 'don't be afraid']: for I know that ye [you] seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for [because] he is risen [from the dead], as he said. Come, see the place [in the sepulchre] where the Lord lay [or 'where Jesus' body had been lying']. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he [Jesus] goeth [goes] before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo [behold, look, see], I have told you."

Matthew 28:8-9: "And they [the women] departed [left] quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word [the good news] [that Jesus was alive]. And as they went to tell his [Jesus'] disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail [which meant 'rejoice']. And they [the women] came and held him [Jesus] by the feet [in other words, they came and laid face down on the ground, touching his feet, showing their respect, honor, love, and affection,], and worshipped him."

APRIL 19
John 20:1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18

The Resurrection of Jesus: Part 1
(When Mary Magdalene is told not to touch the resurrected Jesus)

John 20:1: "[On] The first day of the week [Sunday] cometh [comes, or came] Mary Magdalene early [before dawn], when it was yet [or still] dark, unto the sepulchre [the tomb in which the body of the crucified Jesus had been placed], and seeth [sees, or saw that] the stone [in this case, a very large rock] [had been] taken away from the [entrance to the] sepulchre."

John 20:2: "Then she [Mary] runneth [runs, or ran], and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple [John], whom Jesus loved, and saith [says, or said] unto them, They [referring either to Jesus' enemies (who may have stolen and hidden his body) or friends (who may have moved his body to another tomb)] have taken away the Lord [Jesus] out of the sepulchre, and we [meaning Mary and the women who had gone to the tomb with her] know not [do not know] where they [Jesus' enemies or friends] have laid him."

John 20:3-5: "Peter therefore went forth [or left the place where he had been talking with Mary], and [so did] that other disciple [John], and [they] came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple [John, who was the younger of the two men] did outrun [run faster than] Peter, and came first to [arrived first at] the sepulchre. And he [John] stooping [or bending] down, and looking in [or 'into the tomb'], saw the linen clothes [i.e., strips (long, narrow pieces) of linen cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus' dead body] lying [there]; yet went he not in [or 'but he didn't go inside']."

John 20:6-7: "Then cometh Simon Peter following him [John], and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie [or lying there], And the napkin [cloth], that was about [or which had been covering] his [Jesus'] head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together [folded] in a place by itself [which was an excellent proof of the resurrection--see note below*]."

John 20:8-9 "Then went in also that other disciple [John], which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw [the same things that Peter saw], and believed [that Jesus was alive]. For as yet they knew not [or did not know] the scripture [or Bible verse, probably Psalm 16:10, stating], that he [Jesus] must rise again from the dead."

John 20:10: "Then the disciples [Peter and John] went away again unto their own home."

John 20:11-12,13: "But Mary [Magdalene] stood without [outside] at the sepulchre weeping [crying]: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And seeth two angels in white [robes] sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain [been lying]. And they [the angels] say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou [ or why do you weep]? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not [or 'I do not know'] where they have laid him."

John 20:14,15: "And when she [Mary] had thus said [or 'had said that'], she turned herself back [around], and saw Jesus standing [there], and knew not [did not know] that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou [or 'why are you crying']? whom seekest thou [whom do you seek, or who are you looking for]? She [Mary], supposing him [Jesus] to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence [or 'if you have carried him away'], tell me where thou hast [you have] laid him, and I will take him away."

John 20:16,17 "Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself [toward Jesus], and saith unto him, Rabboni [a title of honor]; which is to say, Master [or, literally, 'my great Master']. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not [don't touch me--see note below**]; for I am not yet ascended to my Father [in heaven]: but go to my brethren [in this case, referring to his disciples], and say unto them, I [Jesus] ascend [go up] unto my [heavenly] Father, and your [heavenly] Father; and to my God, and your God."

John 20:18: "Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord [Jesus], and that he had spoken these things unto her."
*There is a very interesting video on You Tube of a sermon that Hal Lindsey, an expert in Bible prophecy, gave many years ago to prove that Jesus actually rose from the dead. Hal's sermon is entitled "The Resurrection on Trial," and the video is labeled "'Hal Lindsey - Evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ" and can be found here: https://youtu.be/w1cgUCNbPJs?si=uNPp0y8TDE5LTIcc.

In the first half of the video, among other things, Hal describes the skills and training of the Roman soldiers who were told to guard the tomb so nobody could go in or out.

In the second part of the video, starting at the 37:28 mark, Hal explains how Jesus' body was prepared for burial and what the grave clothes looked like after Jesus rose from the dead.

Here's something you may not know: Due to the fact that myrrh (one of the spices that was applied to the linen pieces that were wrapped around Jesus' dead body) is a very sticky substance and hardens after 24 hours, the "linen clothes" that John and Peter saw had formed a perfect cocoon around Jesus and looked like a mummy with no body inside.

If you decide to watch the video, you can read along by clicking on "more" under the description of the video on You Tube and then clicking on "Show transcript."

**In regard to Jesus' words Touch me not in John 20:17, C. I. Scofield explains:

"… Three views are held:

"(1) That Jesus speaks to Mary [Magdalene] as the High Priest fulfilling the day of atonement (Leviticus 16). Having accomplished the sacrifice [for sin], He was on His way to present the sacred blood in heaven, and that, between the meeting with Mary in the garden and the meeting of Matthew 28:9 [when the women came and held him by the feet]. He had so ascended [to heaven] and returned [to earth]: a view [that is] in harmony [agreement] with types.

"(2) That Mary Magdalene, knowing as yet only [Jesus] Christ after the flesh [i.e., as a human being] … and having found her Beloved ['Master'], sought only to hold Him so; while He [Jesus], about to assume a new relation [relationship] to His disciples in ascension, gently teaches Mary that now she must not seek to hold Him to the earth, but rather become His messenger of the new joy.

"(3) That He [Jesus] merely meant: 'Do not detain me [hold me back] now; I am not yet ascended [to heaven]; you will see me again; run rather to my brethren,' etc. …"

(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/srn/john-20.html, "Scofield's Reference Notes," "Verse 17")
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In the following quote by M.R. DeHaan, which was excerpted (quoted, taken, copied) from an online article entitled "Jesus' Literal, Physical, Precious, Blood Saves!" (https://www.jesusisprecious.org/fundamentals/blood_saves.htm), we find an excellent reason for believing the first view in the above quote from the Scofield commentary:

"[The] LITERAL Blood of Jesus Had To Be Applied [to the] Mercy Seat In Heaven

"Now here is some sound Biblical doctrine! The great Bible teacher, M.R. DeHaan, M.D. …, has it 100% correct when he states concerning the blood of Jesus...

"The blood was to be sprinkled, remember, on the mercy seat right after the death of the substitutionary animal of sacrifice, Now [Jesus] Christ is, of course, our substitute. He was slain [killed] for us upon the Cross, and entered into death for us, and when He arose [from the grave], He immediately went to heaven, entered into the holy of holies in heaven, sprinkled His precious blood upon the mercy seat before the throne of God, and forever settled the sin questions, and delivered us from the curse of the law. This is clearly taught in the New testament. Hebrews 9:12 is very definite on this:

   "'But by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.'

"The Bible also makes plain when He accomplished this. On the morning of the resurrection He [Jesus] meets Mary [Magdalene] at the tomb. As soon as Mary recognized Him, she prostrated herself upon Him [or 'she lay face down on the ground before him'], and would have kissed His feet, but with shocking suddenness, Jesus emphatically says to her: 'Touch me not'; and then He proceeds immediately to give the reason why Mary is not permitted to touch Him at all.

   "'For I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.' (John 20:17)

"Literally the Lord Jesus Christ said, 'Touch me not; for I now am about to ascend unto my Father.' We can understand this action when we remember the [or 'that'] the high priest after he had offered the [animal] sacrifice, was to enter the holy of holies, before he did anything else, with the precious blood. No one was allowed to approach him. Everyone was shut out until this was completely done. And here in the record of the meeting with Mary we have the fulfillment of this type. Here Mary meets her great High Priest [i.e., Jesus Christ], just arisen from the tomb, but before He had entered the holy of holies [in heaven] with the reconciling blood. And so He says to her, 'TOUCH ME NOT.'

"SOURCE: The TABERNACLE, by M.R. DeHaan, M.D., ISBN 0-310-23491-3, page 129."