John 20:3 kjv
Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.
John 20:3 nkjv
Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb.
John 20:3 niv
So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb.
John 20:3 esv
So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb.
John 20:3 nlt
Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb.
John 20 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Luke 24:12 | But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; bending over, he saw the linen… | Peter's rush to the empty tomb in Luke. |
| John 20:1 | Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene… | The initial finding of the empty tomb by Mary. |
| John 20:2 | She came to Simon Peter and the other disciple… "They have taken the Lord…" | Mary Magdalene's report to Peter and John. |
| John 20:4 | Both ran together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb… | The race to the tomb. |
| John 20:8 | Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside… | John sees and believes. |
| John 13:23 | One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him… | Identification of "the other disciple" (John). |
| John 19:26 | When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved… | John at the cross, entrusted with Mary. |
| John 21:7 | Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!"… | John recognizing Jesus after the resurrection. |
| John 21:20 | Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them… | Further identification of John. |
| Mark 16:1-2 | When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene… came to look at the tomb. | Other Gospels' accounts of women at the tomb. |
| Luke 24:1-3 | On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took… | Women find the empty tomb in Luke. |
| Matt 28:1 | After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene… | Women find the empty tomb in Matthew. |
| Luke 24:9-10 | When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven… | Women report the empty tomb to disciples. |
| Acts 1:22 | "starting from John’s baptism until the day when he was taken up from us…" | Apostolic witness to Jesus' resurrection. |
| Acts 2:32 | God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. | Peter's testimony to the resurrection. |
| 1 Cor 15:5 | and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. | Paul's testimony: Jesus appeared to Peter. |
| Psa 16:10 | because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let… | Prophetic foreshadowing of resurrection. |
| Isa 53:10 | Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though… | Prophecy of Messiah's suffering and vindication. |
| Hos 6:2 | After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us… | Prophetic type of resurrection. |
| Matt 27:60 | and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock… | The tomb where Jesus was laid. |
| Mark 15:46 | So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body… and placed it… | Details of Jesus' burial in Mark. |
| John 1:42 | And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon… | Jesus renaming Simon to Peter. |
| Matt 16:18 | And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church… | Jesus' declaration about Peter's role. |
| John 21:15-17 | When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, "Simon son of John… | Peter's restoration and command to feed sheep. |
John 20 verses
John 20 3 Meaning
John 20:3 describes the immediate, urgent departure of Peter and the beloved disciple (John) from their current location, likely after being informed by Mary Magdalene, to verify the startling news that Jesus' body was no longer in the tomb. Their journey signifies the first firsthand investigation by key disciples into the physical reality of the resurrection.
John 20 3 Context
John 20:3 is set on the first day of the week, Sunday morning, immediately after the Sabbath. This follows Jesus' crucifixion and burial, which occurred on Friday. The broader context of John's Gospel has established Jesus' identity as the Son of God, the Messiah, and predicted His death and resurrection. Prior to this verse, Mary Magdalene, upon visiting Jesus' tomb early in the morning, finds the heavy stone sealing the entrance rolled away and the tomb empty (John 20:1-2). Fearing that the body has been stolen, she immediately runs to Simon Peter and "the other disciple whom Jesus loved" to relay the astonishing news. John 20:3 describes the disciples' swift response to this shocking report, initiating their personal investigation into the physical evidence, a critical moment that would lead to their understanding of the resurrection.
John 20 3 Word analysis
- So: This serves as a connective, indicating an immediate consequence or response to Mary Magdalene's alarming report in the preceding verse. It highlights the direct causation – Mary's news prompted their urgent action.
- Peter: Greek: Petros (Πέτρος), meaning "rock" or "stone." This refers to Simon Peter, one of the foremost disciples of Jesus, known for his leadership, impetuosity, and significant role in the early church. His presence emphasizes an authoritative apostolic witness to the empty tomb. His previous denial of Jesus (John 18:15-27) makes his eager return to the tomb and pursuit of truth here particularly poignant, foreshadowing his restoration and reaffirmed role.
- and the other disciple: Greek: ho allos mathētēs (ὁ ἄλλος μαθητὴς). This is the characteristic self-referential designation used by John, the author of this Gospel, often identified as "the disciple whom Jesus loved." It subtly yet consistently places the author as an intimate, firsthand eyewitness to the events, adding weight to his testimony. His presence alongside Peter signifies both a personal and an apostolic witness.
- started for: Greek: exēlthon (ἐξῆλθον). This verb means "they went out," "they departed," or "they came forth." It conveys a deliberate, purposeful, and immediate action. They didn't linger; they actively initiated a journey, highlighting the urgency and grave importance of the news they had just received. It indicates their physical journey towards a specific destination rather than merely abstract contemplation.
- the tomb: Greek: to mnēmeion (τὸ μνημεῖον). This term refers to a grave, sepulchre, or memorial place. It signifies the specific, physical burial site of Jesus. Its emptiness, as Mary reported, directly challenged their understanding and faith, necessitating direct observation. The destination is central to the resurrection account, as it is where the evidence (or lack thereof, i.e., an empty space) is found.
Words-group by words-group analysis data:
- Peter and the other disciple: This pairing is significant. Peter represents the apostolic headship, often impetuous but spiritually gifted, whose authority would later be central to the church's formation. John, "the disciple whom Jesus loved," embodies deep personal intimacy with Jesus, insightful perception, and faithful witness. Their joint expedition unites both the institutional and the intimate dimensions of discipleship in investigating the truth of the resurrection, providing a powerful dual witness.
- started for the tomb: This phrase underscores the active, physical pursuit of verification. It indicates that the resurrection was not merely a spiritual revelation or abstract theological concept, but an event with physical, observable evidence that warranted urgent personal inspection. Their movement from hearsay to empirical observation is crucial for the reliability of the resurrection narrative.
John 20 3 Bonus section
- The order of these two disciples, Peter first and then "the other disciple," often reflects the narrative's subtle acknowledgment of Peter's unique leadership position among the apostles, while still giving prominence to the beloved disciple's intimate relationship with Jesus.
- The act of going to the tomb is a fundamental step in empirical investigation. It counters any suggestion that belief in the resurrection was based solely on later visions or spiritual experiences; rather, it was rooted in the direct, physical evidence of the empty burial place, which compelled further revelation.
- This scene subtly establishes a motif seen later in John's Gospel, where "seeing" precedes and leads to "believing" (John 20:8, 20:29), emphasizing the evidential basis for early Christian faith.
John 20 3 Commentary
John 20:3 marks the immediate, compelling response of key disciples to the unprecedented news of an empty tomb. Mary Magdalene's report, implying either desecration or an unimaginable act of God, propelled Peter and John into urgent action. Their joint departure signifies the transition from stunned bewilderment to active investigation. Peter, despite his recent failure, displays characteristic resolve and curiosity, indicative of his enduring place as a leader. John, the "beloved disciple," accompanies him, reinforcing the eyewitness credibility of the narrative through both established leadership and intimate personal witness. This act of "starting for the tomb" establishes the physical, verifiable foundation for belief in the resurrection; the disciples are compelled to see for themselves before they can truly grasp the astounding reality that lay before them. It is a critical step in authenticating the historical truth of Christ's resurrection.