John 20 6

John 20:6 kjv

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

John 20:6 nkjv

Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there,

John 20:6 niv

Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there,

John 20:6 esv

Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there,

John 20:6 nlt

Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there,

John 20 verses

John 20 6 Meaning

Upon arriving at the empty tomb with the beloved disciple, Simon Peter, driven by his characteristic impulsiveness, entered the burial chamber without hesitation. Inside, he meticulously observed the linen cloths, which had previously enshrouded Jesus’ body, now lying empty yet apparently undisturbed, providing the initial physical evidence that challenged their understanding of Jesus’ fate.

John 20 6 Context

John 20:6 describes the pivotal scene at Jesus' tomb on resurrection morning. Earlier, Mary Magdalene discovered the empty tomb and reported it to Simon Peter and the beloved disciple (John). They both raced to the tomb; John arrived first, only peering inside, seeing the linen cloths, but hesitating to enter. Verse 6 directly follows, detailing Peter's characteristically impetuous and direct entry into the tomb. This action sets a crucial precedent for John, prompting him to enter next and witness the same scene, which leads to his belief (John 20:8). The emotional state of the disciples was one of confusion and grief, making these initial observations of the empty tomb and the undisturbed grave clothes fundamental to their eventual understanding and belief in the resurrection.

John 20 6 Word analysis

• Then (Οὖν - Oun): A Greek conjunction that signifies a continuation, consequence, or inference, indicating a progression of events or logic. Here, it transitions from John's hesitant look to Peter's decisive action.

• Simon Peter (Σίμων Πέτρος - Simon Petros): Explicitly identifies the prominent apostle. "Simon" refers to his given name, while "Peter" ("rock") is the name Jesus bestowed, signaling his leadership qualities despite his human tendencies. This specific naming emphasizes his authoritative yet sometimes rash persona.

• came, following him (ἔρχεται ἀκολουθῶν αὐτῷ - erchetai akolouthōn autō): This phrase describes Peter's arrival, having run behind the beloved disciple (John 20:4). The verb "following" highlights that while he arrived second, his subsequent action will be more forthright, demonstrating a dynamic interplay between the two.

• and went into (καὶ εἰσῆλθεν - kai eisēlthen): In sharp contrast to John's non-entry in verse 5. This action is direct and unhesitating (aorist tense, portraying a completed, decisive act), illustrating Peter's boldness and urgency in investigating the alarming news. His act broke Jewish purity laws regarding tombs, but the extraordinary circumstance outweighed custom.

• the tomb (εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον - eis to mnēmeion): The burial monument or chamber. This was the place where Jesus' crucified body had been laid, now a scene of immense mystery. Peter's entry confirms the visual testimony firsthand.

• and he saw (καὶ θεωρεῖ - kai theōrei): This is a key term. The Greek θεωρεῖ (theōrei) denotes a more intense, contemplative, and scrutinizing form of seeing than βλέπει (blepei) used for John's earlier glance in John 20:5. Peter didn't just casually see; he observed, examined, and mentally processed the scene with careful attention.

• the linen cloths (τὰ ὀθόνια - ta othonia): These were the long strips of linen fabric, perhaps mixed with resin and spices, used to wrap the body for burial according to Jewish custom (John 19:40). Their material presence is critical; they were not removed by a thief, nor was the body still in them.

• lying there (κείμενα - keimena): The participle describes the state of the cloths as "lying" or "placed." This word is significant as it suggests they were not discarded in haste or disarray, but were there, seemingly undisturbed and in the formation they had held, yet now empty—a detail crucial for the following verse (John 20:7).

• Words-group by words-group analysis

  • "Then Simon Peter came, following him": This clause emphasizes the personal involvement of Peter, noting his arrival after the beloved disciple but setting the stage for his distinct, more immediate action. It underscores the active, though initially secondary, role of Peter.
  • "and went into the tomb": This decisive action of entering contrasts with John's previous hesitation, highlighting Peter's characteristic impetuosity and readiness to confront the situation directly. It is a moment of leadership by example in the face of uncertainty.
  • "and he saw the linen cloths lying there": This is the core physical evidence discovered. Peter's profound "seeing" (theōrei) implies a deep investigation of the empty grave clothes. Their mere presence, but absence of the body, presented an undeniable mystery that began to unravel their despair and lead towards the truth of the resurrection.

John 20 6 Bonus section

The Greek verb theōreō (translated "saw") implies a sustained and thoughtful examination, suggesting that Peter was not merely looking, but critically analyzing the scene. This deep observation is a foundation for belief that, while not immediate (as suggested in Jn 20:9), would be profoundly significant. The 'disorderly order' of the linen cloths, described here and further in verse 7, often leads scholars to theorize about a miraculous, non-corporeal exit of Jesus' body, as if it passed through the grave clothes without disturbing their folds. This detail is a powerful apologetic point against claims of grave robbery; a thief would either take the valuable linens or discard them carelessly, not leave them in such a preserved yet empty state. The scene, therefore, presents an "anti-theft device" testimony, implying the body did not merely disappear by human means but transcended physical limitations.

John 20 6 Commentary

John 20:6 presents a pivotal moment, capturing Simon Peter's characteristic directness and impulsiveness as he enters the empty tomb after the beloved disciple's hesitant glance. His subsequent detailed observation of "the linen cloths lying there" with the specific verb theōrei (to observe or scrutinize) is crucial. This denotes a deliberate, investigative gaze rather than a mere glance. The cloths themselves, still present and seemingly undisturbed yet devoid of the body, become irrefutable physical evidence. Their specific arrangement (further clarified in verse 7), distinct from what would result from theft or simple removal, points towards an extraordinary, supernatural event. This detailed witnessing by Peter is instrumental in moving from mere confusion and the report of an empty tomb to the first tangible steps toward believing in Jesus' resurrection, forming a critical eyewitness account that discredits explanations of a stolen body.