This week's gospel text contains two complete pericopes, plus a conclusion. Most scholars contend that the conclusion read in 20:30-31 marked the "earliest" ending of John's gospel, with chapter 21 a "later" addition to the text. If this were the case, the resurrected Jesus' first appearance to his disciples (vv.19-25), coupled with his return appearance "a week later" (v.26) before the doubt-ridden Thomas, constitutes the whole of John's original resurrection tradition.

Instead of focusing on the popular story of what doubting Thomas did, this week we want to look more closely at what Jesus said. Jesus' first resurrection appearance to all his disciples (except the absent Thomas) witnessed his suddenly bolting through the locked doors of the hiding place where the disciples were huddled f…