John 20

Which worship songs are based on John 20?

  1. The Greatest Love of All — Neal Morse (2019) John 20:17-18

    The closing exchange closely follows Jesus' instruction to Mary not to hold on to him before his ascension, but instead to go to his brothers and report what has happened.

  2. I've Seen Too Much — Andrew Peterson (2018) John 20:19-29

    The speaker recalls the risen Jesus entering the disciples’ room and presents physical contact with his scarred body as evidence of resurrection. These details closely identify Thomas’s encounter with Christ.

  3. His Name Is Jesus — Phil Wickham (2021) John 20:19-29

    The invitation to recognize Jesus by the wounds in his hands evokes the risen Christ displaying his crucifixion wounds to the disciples and Thomas.

  4. Scars — Brandon Heath (2024) John 20:20

    The song invokes the risen Jesus’ enduring crucifixion wounds, which he showed to the disciples and invited Thomas to examine. This specifically connects the singer’s lasting scars with Christ’s wounds remaining visible after the resurrection.

  5. Breathe on Me — John Waller (2007) John 20:22

    The repeated request for divine breath, coupled with receiving the Spirit and addressing Jesus, recalls Jesus breathing on his disciples and instructing them to receive the Holy Spirit.

  6. Stir a Passion - Live — Nick Herbert & New Wine Worship (2018) John 20:22

    The appeal for the Holy One to breathe upon the worshipper evokes Jesus breathing upon his disciples as he imparts the Holy Spirit.

  7. You Are The Lord — Jeremy Camp (2010) John 20:22

    The description of God breathing his Spirit upon the worshippers closely echoes the risen Jesus breathing on his disciples and instructing them to receive the Holy Spirit.

  8. Upper Room — Hillsong Worship (2020) John 20:22

    The prayer for divine breath is closely linked to Jesus breathing on his disciples as he commissions them to receive the Holy Spirit.

  9. Best and Worst — Building 429 (2013) John 20:24-29

    The explicit mention of Thomas, within a song that acknowledges faltering faith, points to the disciple's doubt and subsequent encounter with the risen Jesus. The reference is brief rather than a retelling of the episode.

  10. Risen Indeed — Andrew Peterson (2018) John 20:24-29

    The invitation to place a hand into Christ's wound unmistakably recalls the risen Jesus inviting Thomas to examine his crucifixion wounds and believe.

  11. Apostle Me — ApologetiX (2010) John 20:24-29

    Thomas’s identifying epithet specifically recalls his refusal to believe the resurrection without physical evidence and his subsequent encounter with the risen Jesus.

  12. Count ’Em — Brandon Lake (2023) John 20:24-29

    Naming Thomas while describing doubt transformed into conviction unmistakably recalls the disciple’s encounter with the risen Jesus.

  13. Human — Anthem Worship (2022) John 20:24-29

    The enduring wounds in Jesus’ hands evoke Thomas’s encounter with the risen Christ, where the marks of crucifixion establish that the resurrected Jesus is the same one who suffered.

  14. Broke a Loaf of Bread — ApologetiX (2019) John 20:24-29

    Thomas is specifically identified by his refusal to accept the resurrection testimony without further evidence.

  15. Anything Is Possible — Brian Free & Assurance (2017) John 20:24-29

    Thomas, his former doubt, Christ's wounds, and the evidence of Jesus alive after crucifixion unmistakably recall the risen Jesus appearing to Thomas. The song imaginatively describes Thomas's later reflection and treats his encounter with the wounds as the basis of resolved faith.

  16. Always — Chris Tomlin (2022) John 20:24-29

    The reference to scars in Christ’s hands evokes the risen Jesus presenting his crucifixion wounds to Thomas as tangible confirmation of his identity and resurrection.

  17. Gold (Spontaneous) - Live — Leeland (2019) John 20:24-29

    The anticipated encounter with the scars in Jesus’ hands evokes the risen Christ inviting Thomas to examine his crucifixion wounds. The image emphasizes that the resurrected Jesus remains visibly marked by his suffering.

  18. deep in love — kalley (2025) John 20:24-29

    Jesus’ scarred hands evoke the risen Christ showing Thomas the wounds that remained in His body after the crucifixion.

  19. Menorah Reprise (Running Back To You) — Jackie Hill Perry & Madison Ryann Ward (2025) John 20:24-29

    Christ presenting his wounded hands as visible evidence evokes the risen Jesus showing Thomas the marks left by the nails. The image connects the singer’s recognition of mercy to the physical wounds of the crucifixion.

  20. Terrify the Dark — Skillet (2019) John 20:24-29

    The pairing of doubt with Christ's visible wounds recalls the risen Jesus showing Thomas the marks of crucifixion as grounds for belief.

  21. I Stand in Awe — Chris Tomlin (2018) John 20:24-29

    The movement from seeing Christ's wounds to personally confessing him as Lord and God strongly evokes Thomas's encounter with the risen, scar-bearing Jesus.

  22. Christ Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed — Keith & Kristyn Getty & Shane & Shane & Sing! (2020) John 20:24-29

    The third verse recalls the disciples moving from doubt to belief upon seeing the risen Jesus, then closely paraphrases Jesus' blessing upon those who believe without seeing.

  23. grace — Grace Runkle (2025) John 20:24-29

    Christ’s invitation to examine and touch his scarred hands as evidence recalls the risen Jesus offering Thomas physical confirmation of his wounds.

  24. Look No Further — Evvie McKinney (2020) John 20:24-29

    The emphasis on visible nail marks in Jesus’ hands recalls the risen Christ showing Thomas the wounds that identify Him as the one who was crucified.

  25. Abra Os Meus Olhos — Jozyanne (2009) John 20:24-29

    The song explicitly names Thomas and contrasts his demand for visible evidence with the speaker’s already-existing faith. This directly engages Thomas’s encounter with the risen Jesus and Jesus’s distinction between believing after seeing and believing without seeing.

  26. Buried In the Grave — All Sons & Daughters (2012) John 20:24-29

    The search for physical proof and contact with Jesus' wounded hands unmistakably evoke Thomas's encounter with the risen Jesus. The song presents this recognition collectively, while John specifically describes Jesus inviting Thomas to examine His wounds.

  27. In the Beginning, Part 2 — Jason Upton (2008) John 20:25-29

    The opening combines contact with Jesus’ hands and the movement from doubt to belief, specifically evoking Thomas’s encounter with the risen Jesus. John records Jesus inviting Thomas to examine his wounds, without explicitly stating that Thomas touched them.

  28. Scars in the Hands of Jesus — Ernie Haase & Signature Sound (2013) John 20:25-27

    The central image of Jesus retaining wounds in his hands recalls the risen Jesus presenting his nail marks to Thomas. The song extends that recognizable resurrection image into its depiction of heaven.

  29. I’d Rather Have Jesus — Dallas Holm (2009) John 20:25-27

    The image of Jesus’ hand bearing nail wounds recalls the marks of crucifixion that Thomas identifies and the risen Jesus invites him to examine. The song presents those wounds as identifying the Savior whom the singer chooses to follow.

  30. In the Beginning, Part 1 — Jason Upton (2008) John 20:25-29

    The combination of touching Jesus' hands, persistent doubt, and the turn toward belief strongly evokes Thomas's encounter with the risen Jesus. The song personalizes the episode rather than retelling it literally.

  31. I'd Rather Have Jesus — Jason Crabb (2011) John 20:25-27

    The image of Jesus’ hands bearing nail scars recalls the wounds Thomas identifies and the risen Jesus invites him to examine. The song presents those marks of crucifixion as a reason to trust Jesus’ leadership.

  32. I Want Your Heart — Jon Thurlow (2017) John 20:25-27

    The appeal to examine Jesus’ pierced hands and place a hand in His wounded side unmistakably recalls the risen Christ inviting Thomas to inspect His crucifixion wounds.

  33. Born Again — Newsboys (2010) John 20:25-27

    Jesus is identified by the wounds in his hands, recalling the nail marks described in the encounter with Thomas. This is a specific image of the crucified and risen Jesus, rather than a retelling of Thomas’s experience.

  34. Two Hands (remix) — Jars of Clay (2009) John 20:25-29

    The demand for visible and touchable wounds as evidence for faith evokes Thomas’s insistence on examining the risen Jesus’ wounds. The combination of bodily evidence and hesitant belief makes this a specific allusion rather than a general expression of doubt.

  35. Healing Hand of God — Jeremy Camp (2010) John 20:25-29

    The singer's devotional description of verifying Jesus' hand wounds unmistakably recalls Thomas's demand for physical evidence and Jesus' invitation to examine His wounds. John records that invitation, but does not explicitly say Thomas touched them.

  36. Watch Your Mouth — Josiah Queen (2025) John 20:25-27

    The song evokes the image of Christ's wounds, specifically referencing the holes in His hands, which symbolize His sacrifice and unconditional love for humanity.

  37. What Love is This — Kari Jobe (2012) John 20:25-27

    The focus on the visible wounds in Jesus’ hands recalls the risen Jesus showing Thomas the marks of crucifixion. The song uses those enduring wounds as evidence of his suffering and a basis for trust.

  38. Ten Percent — Gable Price and Friends (2020) John 20:25-27

    The wounded man with visible holes in his hands is the risen Jesus, whose nail wounds are presented to Thomas as evidence of his identity and resurrection.

  39. I Believe — Dustin Kensrue (2007) John 20:25-29

    The singer adopts Thomas's position, describing contact with Jesus's wounded hands and side as the turning point from doubt to belief in his resurrection.

  40. Hands of Love — Crowder (2014) John 20:25-27

    The depiction of Jesus' hands retaining the marks of crucifixion evokes the nail wounds described in John's account of Jesus appearing to Thomas. These wounded hands make the song's assurance of care explicitly dependent on the crucified Jesus.

  41. Scars in Heaven — Casting Crowns (2021) John 20:25-27

    The scarred hands of the heavenly Christ evoke the risen Jesus showing Thomas the enduring crucifixion wounds in his hands.

  42. Lord, I Believe in You — Crystal Lewis (2011) John 20:25-29

    The references to touching Jesus's wounded hands and believing without seeing recall Thomas's demand to examine the nail wounds and Jesus's subsequent blessing of those who believe without sight.

  43. Christ Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed - Live — Keith & Kristyn Getty (2013) John 20:26-29

    The second verse closely adapts Jesus' blessing on those who believe without seeing. Its movement from doubt to eyewitness belief also recalls Thomas's encounter with the risen Jesus.

  44. Back Intact — ApologetiX (2010) John 20:27

    The invitation to inspect Jesus's wounded hands and side closely adapts his invitation to Thomas to examine the evidence of his crucifixion.

  45. Any Other Way — Tenth Avenue North (2010) John 20:27

    The second pre-chorus presents Christ inviting the listener to touch his wounds, strongly recalling the risen Jesus inviting Thomas to examine his wounded hands and side. The song applies that concrete invitation to recognizing the cost of Christ's love.

  46. Fear no more — Building 429 (2019) John 20:29

    The song links doubt with the challenge of believing without visible evidence, closely reflecting Jesus’ words to Thomas about those who believe without seeing.

  47. No Veo Pero Creo — Alex Zurdo (2023) John 20:29

    The central refrain expresses belief in God without first receiving visible proof, closely reflecting Jesus’ response to Thomas about those who believe without seeing.

  48. I Still Believe — Jeremy Camp (2009) John 20:29

    The chorus closely echoes Jesus’ description of those who believe without having seen. The song applies that contrast between sight and belief to continued trust amid grief, without explicitly referencing Thomas or the resurrection encounter.

  49. Twenty‐One Grams — August Burns Red (2015) John 20:29

    The song links blessing with belief in what cannot be seen, closely adapting Jesus’ declaration that those who believe without seeing are blessed. It questions the difficulty of that condition rather than presenting it as reassurance.

  50. Haven't Seen It Yet — Danny Gokey (2019) John 20:29

    The bridge closely echoes Jesus’ commendation of belief without sight, presenting trust in God’s unseen activity before visible confirmation arrives.

  51. Faith — Jordan Feliz (2020) John 20:29

    The repeated definition of faith as believing without first seeing closely reflects Jesus’ response to Thomas concerning those who believe without visible proof.

  52. Heart Believes — Apollo LTD (2021) John 20:29

    The central contrast between lacking physical sight and nevertheless believing closely parallels Jesus’ words about those who believe without seeing him.

  53. I Still Believe (2020 version) — Jeremy Camp (2021) John 20:29

    The chorus closely echoes Jesus’ commendation of those who believe without seeing, presenting faith as trust that persists without visible confirmation.

  54. REALITY — ELEVATION RHYTHM (2019) John 20:29

    The song's central declaration of choosing belief prior to visual confirmation paraphrases Jesus' blessing of those who believe without having seen, spoken to Thomas.

  55. Miracle — Tauren Wells (2020) John 20:29

    The song affirms belief without requiring prior sight, closely echoing Jesus’ commendation of those who believe without seeing.

  56. Felizes São - Ao Vivo — MORADA (2017) John 20:29

    The chorus closely adapts Jesus’ blessing of those who trust him without having seen him, spoken after Thomas encounters the risen Christ. The song extends that blessing from belief to love while retaining the passage’s central contrast between sight and faith.

John 20 (King James Version)

1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the LORD out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.

4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.

5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.

6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,

7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.

9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my LORD, and I know not where they have laid him.

14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; 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.

18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the LORD, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

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.

20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the LORD.

21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

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.

29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.