John 20 8

John 20:8 kjv

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

John 20:8 nkjv

Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed.

John 20:8 niv

Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.

John 20:8 esv

Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;

John 20:8 nlt

Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed ?

John 20 verses

John 20 8 Meaning

John 20:8 describes the moment when the "other disciple," traditionally understood as John himself, entered Jesus's tomb after Peter. Upon observing the empty tomb and the specific arrangement of the grave clothes and the head napkin, he comprehended the true significance of what he saw and believed in Jesus's resurrection from the dead. This belief was founded on evidence, not yet a personal encounter with the risen Christ, signifying a faith born from observation and divine enlightenment.

John 20 8 Context

John chapter 20 begins early on the first day of the week, with Mary Magdalene discovering the empty tomb of Jesus. Her initial conclusion is that someone has taken the Lord's body. She immediately runs to tell Simon Peter and the "other disciple" (John). Hearing the news, Peter and John rush to the tomb. John arrives first but hesitates to enter. Peter then arrives and boldly goes in, observing the linen grave clothes lying neatly and the head napkin folded separately. Verse 8 describes John's subsequent entry and the pivotal moment of his belief. This event marks a shift from mere perplexity or grief to the dawning of understanding and faith in the resurrection, even before encountering the risen Jesus physically. The historical context for the original audience, predominantly Jewish Christians and Gentile believers, underscored the significance of the resurrection as the core of Christian faith, differentiating it from contemporary mystery religions or philosophical schools that lacked such historical, verifiable claims of a bodily resurrection. It also stood against the immediate polemical claim by Jewish authorities that the disciples stole the body (Mt 28:11-15), by emphasizing the orderliness of the grave clothes.

John 20 8 Word analysis

• Then (καὶ / kai, here often translated "then" due to context): Connects this action to the previous one, showing a sequential flow. John's action immediately follows Peter's entry. It denotes continuation and a natural progression after Peter's example.
• went in (εἰσῆλθεν / eisēlthen): John entered the tomb, following Peter. This act demonstrates John's courage and curiosity, overcoming his initial reverence or caution (Jn 20:5).
• also (καὶ / kai): Signifies that John did the same as Peter, emphasizing their shared investigation of the empty tomb.
• the other disciple (ὁ ἄλλος μαθητὴς / ho allos mathētēs): This self-reference by the author (John) is typical of his Gospel, a modest way of identifying himself as the beloved disciple. It contrasts with Peter, indicating a distinct individual.
• who had reached first to the tomb (ὁ ἐλθὼν πρῶτος πρὸς τὸ μνημεῖον / ho elthōn prōtos pros to mnēmeion): A specific detail re-emphasized from John 20:4. It highlights John's quickness and initial arrival, adding weight to his subsequent belief. It also serves as a subtle mark of eyewitness authority.
• and he saw (καὶ εἶδεν / kai eiden): This "seeing" is profound. It's not just visual perception (which Peter also experienced, Lk 24:12), but an intellectual apprehension, a realization of the implications of the grave clothes' arrangement – the body was not stolen, but the grave had been "unoccupied" by the resurrection. The Greek eiden implies a more complete perception than mere blepō (to look) or theaomai (to behold with wonder).
• and believed (καὶ ἐπίστευσεν / kai episteusen): The critical outcome. John understood what Peter did not immediately grasp (Lk 24:12 indicates Peter "wondered"). This belief was in the resurrection of Jesus, based on the physical evidence within the tomb. It marks the first explicit record of a disciple believing the resurrection before seeing the risen Christ. This belief confirms the messianic prophecies about resurrection (Ps 16:10) and fulfills Jesus's own predictions of rising on the third day (Mt 16:21).

Words-group by words-group analysis

• Then went in also the other disciple: This sequence signifies John's decision to overcome his initial hesitancy (Jn 20:5) after observing Peter's action. It shows a measured and reflective response.
• who had reached first to the tomb, and he saw: This highlights John's advantage of being the first at the scene combined with his careful observation upon entry. His prior quickness to the tomb coupled with his patient entrance frames his comprehensive understanding.
• and believed: This climactic phrase distinguishes John's immediate response from Mary's misunderstanding or Peter's initial perplexity. His belief was immediate and definitive, born from the unique testimony of the empty tomb and orderly grave cloths. This specific detail about the "other disciple" highlights his deeper spiritual perception compared to Peter's more practical and observational nature, as described elsewhere in the Gospels.

John 20 8 Bonus section

The concept of "seeing and believing" is central to John's Gospel, where various signs (miracles) are presented for the purpose of engendering belief (Jn 20:30-31). John 20:8 offers a unique scenario where belief springs from what is not present (Jesus's body) and the ordered testimony of what remains (grave clothes). This detail subtly refutes the idea of a stolen body (as found in Mt 28:11-15) because a theft would typically result in a disordered scene, not neatly arranged grave cloths. The very absence of chaos spoke powerfully to John's discerning mind, transforming bewilderment into certainty about the resurrection. This specific detail underscores John's unique role as an evangelist emphasizing deep spiritual perception alongside historical accuracy. His personal eyewitness account (1 Jn 1:1) lends authority to this critical first moment of faith among the disciples.

John 20 8 Commentary

John 20:8 describes a pivotal moment where belief in the resurrection of Jesus first takes root among the disciples, prior to any personal encounter with the risen Lord. John's "seeing" within the tomb transcended mere physical sight; it was an illuminated perception of the situation—the neatly folded burial clothes (Jn 20:6-7) spoke not of robbery but of an orderly departure. A thief would not have painstakingly unwrapped and folded the linens, nor would they leave the valuable grave cloths behind. This specific arrangement, especially the head napkin set apart, suggested a supernatural event, confirming Jesus's previous prophecies of His rising. John connected these physical signs with prophetic fulfillment, leading to immediate faith. This serves as a foundational instance of believing without seeing the risen Lord directly, echoing Jesus's later blessing on those who believe without seeing (Jn 20:29). It highlights the persuasive power of circumstantial evidence, especially for an eyewitness who personally knew Jesus's character and teachings.