King James Version

What Does John 20:26 Mean?

John 20:26 in the King James Version says “And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and s...” — study this verse from John chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And 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 20:26 · King James Version

Peace

Context

24

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

25

The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

26

And 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.

27

Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

28

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

Read John 20 full chapter

Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them—Eight days after the initial resurrection appearance (v. 19), marking the following Sunday, Jesus appears again. This pattern establishes Sunday (the Lord's Day) as the Christian gathering day, commemorating resurrection. The phrase emphasizes Thomas's presence: he missed the first appearance (v. 24-25) but is now included. The disciples remained together despite Thomas's skepticism, modeling patient fellowship with doubters.

Then came Jesus, the doors being shut (ἦλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων/ēlthen ho Iēsous tōn thyrōn kekleismenōn)—The perfect participle κεκλεισμένων (kekleismenōn, "having been shut") indicates the doors were locked, yet Jesus entered miraculously. This demonstrates His resurrection body's unique properties: physical and tangible (v. 27), yet not bound by material limitations. He passes through barriers while remaining embodied—neither ghost nor mere resuscitation. Paul describes this as a "spiritual body" (σῶμα πνευματικόν/sōma pneumatikon, 1 Corinthians 15:44), transformed flesh suited for eternity.

And stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you (εἰρήνη ὑμῖν/eirēnē hymin)—Christ's signature resurrection greeting. Εἰρήνη (eirēnē, peace) is more than absence of conflict; it's shalom, the comprehensive well-being and reconciliation with God purchased at the cross. Jesus speaks His own accomplished work: "He is our peace" (Ephesians 2:14). This peace addresses the disciples' fear (v. 19), Thomas's doubt, and all human anxiety before God. The risen Christ brings divine peace into locked rooms—and locked hearts.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The eight-day interval is significant in Jewish reckoning (counting inclusively: Sunday to Sunday). This establishes the Christian practice of gathering on the first day of the week, "the Lord's day" (Revelation 1:10), rather than the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday). Acts 20:7 and 1 Corinthians 16:2 confirm this early church pattern.

The locked doors reflect ongoing fear of Jewish authorities who had crucified Jesus (v. 19). The disciples risked arrest as His followers. Yet Christ penetrates their fear-induced isolation with His presence. This scene provides apologetic evidence for bodily resurrection—not hallucination or spirit vision, but physical Jesus entering impossibly.

For John's late first-century audience facing persecution and expulsion from synagogues, Christ's appearance to doubting, fearful disciples offered profound encouragement. The risen Lord comes to struggling believers, addresses their doubts, grants His peace despite locked doors and fearful hearts.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Jesus's patience in returning specifically for Thomas teach us about dealing with doubters in the faith?
  2. How does Christ's resurrection body—both physical and transcendent—prefigure our future resurrection bodies (1 Corinthians 15:42-44)?
  3. In what ways do we 'lock the doors' of our hearts through fear or doubt, and how does Christ's peace penetrate those barriers?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 29 words
καὶ1 of 29

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

μετ'2 of 29

“after”

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

ἡμέρας3 of 29

“days”

G2250

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

ὀκτὼ4 of 29

“eight”

G3638

"eight"

πάλιν5 of 29

“again”

G3825

(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand

ἦσαν6 of 29

“were”

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

ἔσω7 of 29

“within”

G2080

inside (as preposition or adjective)

οἱ8 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μαθηταὶ9 of 29

“disciples”

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

αὐτῶν10 of 29

“his”

G846

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

καὶ11 of 29

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Θωμᾶς12 of 29

“Thomas”

G2381

the twin; thomas, a christian

μετ'13 of 29

“after”

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

αὐτῶν14 of 29

“his”

G846

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

ἔρχεται15 of 29

“then came”

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

ὁ16 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦς17 of 29

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

τῶν18 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θυρῶν19 of 29

“the doors”

G2374

a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively)

κεκλεισμένων20 of 29

“being shut”

G2808

to close (literally or figuratively)

καὶ21 of 29

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἔστη22 of 29

“stood”

G2476

to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)

εἰς23 of 29

“in”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸ24 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μέσον25 of 29

“the midst”

G3319

middle (as an adjective or (neuter) noun)

καὶ26 of 29

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἶπεν27 of 29

“said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Εἰρήνη28 of 29

“Peace”

G1515

peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity

ὑμῖν29 of 29

“be unto you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 20:26 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 20:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 20:19Isaiah 54:10Isaiah 26:12Luke 9:28Matthew 17:1John 14:27

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