John 20:19

When therefore it was evening on that day (oush oun opsia th hmerai ekeinei). Genitive absolute with opsia (opsio, late), old word with wra (hour) understood and here for the time from six to nine ( 1 Corinthians 6:16 ) and the locative case of time with hmerai (day). John often uses this note of time ( 1 Corinthians 1:39 ; 1 Corinthians 5:9 ; 1 Corinthians 11:53 ; 1 Corinthians 14:20 ; 1 Corinthians 16:23 1 Corinthians 16:26 ). The addition of th miai sabbatwn (see 1 Corinthians 20:1 for this use of miai like prwth) proves that John is using Roman time, not Jewish, for here evening follows day instead of preceding it. When the doors were shut (twn qurwn kekleismenwn). Genitive absolute again with perfect passive participle of kleiw, shut to keep the Jews out. News of the empty tomb had already spread ( Matthew 28:11 ). See John 7:13 for the phrase "for fear of the Jews"; cf. John 12:42 . Stood in the midst (esth ei to meson). Second aorist (ingressive) active (intransitive) of isthmi, "stepped into the midst." Peace be unto you (Eirhnh umin). The usual oriental salutation as in verses John 21 26 ; Luke 24:36 , here with probable reference to John 14:27 (Christ's legacy of peace).