John 20 2

John 20:2 kjv

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.

John 20:2 nkjv

Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him."

John 20:2 niv

So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"

John 20:2 esv

So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him."

John 20:2 nlt

She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, "They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"

John 20 verses

John 20 2 Meaning

Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. This verse marks the beginning of the discovery of Jesus' resurrection.

John 20 2 Context

This verse occurs immediately after Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus have buried Jesus' body in a new tomb, sealing it with a large stone. Mary Magdalene, deeply devoted to Jesus, returns to the tomb very early on the first day of the week. The timing is significant: "while it was still dark," indicating her haste and likely sorrow, but also predating other visitors. Her purpose was to anoint Jesus' body, following Jewish burial customs. The discovery of the stone removed from the tomb initiates the investigation into Jesus' disappearance, leading to the discovery of the resurrection. The immediate aftermath in this chapter sees Mary informing the disciples and then encountering the risen Christ.

John 20 2 Word Analysis

• Mary (Μαρία - Maria): A common Hebrew name, denoting "bitter" or "rebellious," but often associated with faithfulness and devotion in the New Testament context (e.g., Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary of Bethany). This Mary is distinguished by her close association with Jesus.
• Magdalene (Μαγδαληνή - Magdalēnē): Refers to Mary's origin from Magdala, a town on the Sea of Galilee. It signifies her geographical connection.
• came (ἔρχεται - erchetai): Present tense, suggesting immediacy and continuity of action, portraying her ongoing devotion and her purposeful journey to the tomb.
• to the tomb (πρὸς τὸ μνῆμα - pros to mnēma): Towards the place of burial. "Mnēma" signifies a memorial or grave, emphasizing the location of Jesus' physical death and entombment.
• while it was still dark (ἔτι σκουτίνου ὄντος - eti skoutinou ontos): Lit. "while it was yet dark." This phrase emphasizes the early hour and the absence of full daylight. It carries symbolic weight, representing spiritual darkness before the dawn of resurrection.
• and saw (καὶ βλέπει - kai blepei): "Kai" is a coordinating conjunction; "blepei" means to see, behold, or perceive with the eyes. It marks the visual discovery of a crucial detail.
• the stone (τὴν λίθον - tēn lithon): Refers to the large stone sealing the tomb's entrance, mentioned in previous Gospel accounts.
• removed (ἦρται - ēstai): Perfect passive participle of αἴρω (airō), meaning to lift up, take away, or remove. The perfect tense emphasizes the completed action, indicating the stone had already been taken away, a completed event that she witnesses.

Words-Group Analysis

• "Mary Magdalene": Identifies the specific woman. Her presence is key, as she becomes the first witness to the empty tomb and the first to encounter the resurrected Christ according to John's Gospel. Her reputation is cleared of later interpretations of being a penitent sinner, showing her as a faithful follower.
• "while it was still dark": This temporal detail underscores her devotion, arriving before full light. It also provides a strong contrast to the light of the resurrection that is about to be revealed. It can be seen as the last vestiges of the "night" before the "day" of resurrection.
• "saw the stone removed": This is the pivotal observation. The removal of the stone signifies not just physical access but the opening of a new era – the era of resurrection and new life in Christ, overturning death.

John 20 2 Bonus Section

The passive voice "had been removed" (ἦρται - ēstai) could imply divine agency without specifying who removed it, a detail explained in Matthew’s account with the angel. This suspense heightens the impact for Mary and the reader, creating an unfolding mystery. The emphasis on "still dark" contrasts with Jesus' self-identification as the "light of the world" (John 8:12), setting the stage for the illuminating truth of the resurrection. Mary's action sets in motion the chain of events leading to the proclamation of the Gospel.

John 20 2 Commentary

Mary Magdalene, a devoted follower, approaches Jesus' tomb at the earliest possible moment on Sunday morning. Her intent is to perform the customary anointing of the body, reflecting her grief and loyalty. The scene is set in the dim light of pre-dawn, emphasizing the somber atmosphere and her profound sorrow. Her immediate observation is the stone, crucial to the tomb’s security, is gone. This startling sight shifts the focus from a place of mourning to one of profound mystery and anticipation. The empty tomb, initiated by the stone’s removal, becomes the first tangible sign that something extraordinary has occurred, a precursor to the personal encounter with the risen Christ that will transform her understanding and life. This event highlights faith’s response to the unexpected.