John 20:3

John 20:3, in plain English

Peter and John take off running toward the tomb. They have to see for themselves.

Why it's here

When you hear news this shocking, you have to go see. These two men are about to encounter evidence that will change everything they thought they knew.

Who's speaking

John describes the rush to the tomb.

Where it sits in the story

Two men, hearts pounding, racing through predawn Jerusalem toward a tomb. One runs ahead of the other. Both are about to encounter the impossible.

The scholarly reading

Peter and the beloved disciple respond immediately, setting out together for the tomb to investigate Mary's report.

Language and setting

The dual witness (two disciples) satisfies the Deuteronomic requirement of two witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15) for establishing testimony. Their immediate response demonstrates the gravity of Mary's report.

Voice

The narrator describes the disciples' response.

Significance

Peter and the beloved disciple launch an immediate investigation, their urgency reflecting both concern and perhaps a faint hope they dare not name.

1Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.

2So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,” she said, “and we do not know where they have put Him!”

3Then Peter and the other disciple set out for the tomb.

4The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.

5He bent down and looked in at the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.

Read all of John 20 — Mary weeping in a garden hears her name spoken by a voice she thought she'd lost forever. Then Jesus walks into a locked room: peace.