John 20:5 kjv
And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
John 20:5 nkjv
And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in.
John 20:5 niv
He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in.
John 20:5 esv
And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.
John 20:5 nlt
He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn't go in.
John 20 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mk 16:6 | "And he said to them, 'Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen... | Angel's proclamation of the empty tomb |
| Lk 24:3 | "but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus." | The women found an empty tomb |
| Lk 24:12 | "But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves..." | Peter's similar observation in Luke |
| Jn 20:1 | "On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark..." | Context of Mary finding the tomb empty first |
| Jn 20:2 | "...she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said..." | Mary reports to Peter and John |
| Jn 20:4 | "The two of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first." | John's swiftness to the tomb |
| Jn 20:6 | "Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there..." | Peter's entry and similar sight |
| Jn 20:7 | "...and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up..." | Detail of the face cloth (organized) |
| Jn 20:8 | "Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;" | John's subsequent belief after entering |
| Jn 11:44 | "The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped..." | Lazarus bound by similar grave cloths |
| Jn 19:40 | "...took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom..." | Jesus' burial in linen cloths |
| Mt 28:6 | "He is not here, for he has risen, as he said..." | Angel's testimony of Resurrection |
| 2 Ki 4:32 | "When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed." | Example of a dead body "lying" on a surface |
| 1 Pet 1:12 | "It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been..." | Angelic longing to look into these things |
| Jas 1:25 | "But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who..." | Similar word "looks into" (parakypto) |
| Hos 6:2 | "After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him." | Prophecy of the third-day resurrection |
| Psa 16:10 | "For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption." | Prophetic promise against decay |
| Isa 53:9 | "...they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence" | Prophecy of Jesus' burial place |
| Lk 24:34 | "...saying, 'The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!'" | Peter's post-resurrection experience |
| Acts 2:24 | "God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it." | God's power in resurrection |
| 1 Cor 15:3-4 | "...that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised" | Core of the Gospel message and resurrection |
| Heb 1:3 | "...He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the..." | Christ's divine power (e.g. to leave grave cloths) |
| Acts 13:29 | "...they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb." | Burial after crucifixion |
John 20 verses
John 20 5 Meaning
John 20:5 describes the Beloved Disciple's immediate observation upon arriving at the empty tomb. Stooping to look inside, he saw the grave clothes, specifically the linen cloths used to wrap Jesus' body, lying undisturbed but devoid of the body. This detail serves as the first visual evidence against theft and for a miraculous departure, hinting at the resurrection, yet at this moment, the disciple paused without entering the tomb's inner chamber.
John 20 5 Context
John chapter 20 opens dramatically on Resurrection morning, describing Mary Magdalene's discovery of the empty tomb. Believing Jesus' body has been removed, she reports to Simon Peter and the "other disciple" (traditionally identified as John). Verse 5 follows their swift journey to the tomb. This verse specifically details the "other disciple's" first look inside, setting the scene for Peter's subsequent entrance and their eventual understanding. The historical context involves Jewish burial customs of wrapping a body in linen cloths with spices. The careful observation of these cloths' state is crucial, as any hurried disturbance would imply robbery, a common counter-narrative the early Christians faced regarding the resurrection (Mt 28:11-15).
John 20 5 Word analysis
- And (καὶ - kai): A simple conjunction connecting this observation to the preceding action of the two disciples running to the tomb.
- stooping down (παρακύψας - parakypsas): From parakyptō, meaning "to bend beside, to stoop or peer in, to look in carefully." This implies an active, focused effort to see clearly, suggesting eagerness and intent, rather than a casual glance. It denotes a deliberate act of seeking out a view into the tomb.
- he saw (βλέπει - blepei): From blepō, meaning "to see, discern, perceive." Used in the vivid present tense in Greek, conveying immediacy and a strong impression. It emphasizes the active process of observation and mental reception, not just a passive reception of light by the eye.
- the linen cloths (τὰ ὀθόνια - ta othonia): These were strips of fine linen used in Jewish burials to tightly wrap the body (Jn 19:40, Jn 11:44). The definite article "the" indicates specific cloths known from the burial narrative. Their presence, though empty of a body, is key evidence.
- lying there (κείμενα - keimena): From keimai, meaning "to lie, to be laid, to be placed." This participle signifies their position and state. They were not scattered, unravelled, or disturbed, but retained a certain form or position on the burial slab. This orderly disarray (the body gone, but cloths in place) is crucial, indicating not a robbery but a passing through.
- yet (οὐ μέντοι - ou mentoi): A strong adversative particle, "but yet, however, nevertheless." It highlights a contrast between seeing the evidence and his subsequent action. It creates suspense and draws attention to his hesitation.
- he did not go in (εἰσῆλθεν - eiselther): From eiserchomai, "to go in, enter." This signifies a physical entry into the tomb's interior. The disciple saw the evidence but for some reason, at that moment, chose not to physically step inside the chamber, perhaps out of reverence, shock, or deference to Peter who followed behind.
John 20 5 Bonus section
The seemingly subtle detail of the grave cloths "lying there" has been interpreted by some as suggesting that the body passed through them rather than being unwrapped or stolen. Given the spices used (John 19:39-40), the cloths would have been heavy and firm, like a "shell" that deflated as the body was glorified and departed. This offers a compelling, albeit indirect, argument for the miraculous nature of the resurrection body. The Beloved Disciple's action of "peering in" before entering also subtly contrasts with Peter's more impetuous nature to simply enter, possibly reflecting their differing spiritual temperaments or roles. It might suggest John's contemplative nature leading to belief (Jn 20:8).
John 20 5 Commentary
John 20:5 provides a crucial "snapshot" of the first eye-witness account of the empty tomb's state, after Mary Magdalene's initial discovery. The Beloved Disciple's parakypsas (peering in) underscores a cautious, reverent, yet intense scrutiny of the scene. The "linen cloths lying there" were not randomly strewn, but notably retained the impression of a body that had somehow dematerialized or passed through them without disturbing their structure. This detail decisively argues against body theft (where robbers would have either carried the wrapped body or hastily stripped and discarded the cloths). Instead, it points to a supernatural event, laying foundational evidence for the Resurrection. His hesitation to eiselther (go in) is notable, suggesting either a contemplative pause, a profound awe before the unknown, or perhaps a deferential waiting for Peter, his elder. This restraint allows Peter to enter first (Jn 20:6) and for John to later experience belief upon entering himself (Jn 20:8).