John 20:4-8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 20:1-10

There was no one thing of which the apostles were more concerned to produce substantial proof than the resurrection of their Master, 1. Because it was that which he himself appealed to as the last and most cogent proof of his being the Messiah. Those that would not believe other signs were referred to this sign of the prophet Jonas. And therefore enemies were most solicitous to stifle the notice of this, because it was put on this issue, and, if he be risen, they are not only murderers, but... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 20:1-10

20:1-10 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Mary from Magdala came to the tomb; and she saw the stone taken away from the tomb. So she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and she said to them: "They have taken the Lord away from the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they set out for the tomb. The two were running together. The other disciple ran... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 20:1-10

One of the illuminating things in this story is that Peter was still the acknowledged leader of the apostolic band. It was to him that Mary went. In spite of his denial of Jesus--and a story like that would not be long in being broadcast--Peter was still the leader. We often talk of Peter's weakness and instability, but there must have been something outstanding about a man who could face his fellow-men after that disastrous crash into cowardice; there must have been something about a man whom... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 20:4

So they ran both together ,.... At first setting out, and for a while; not content to walk, they ran, being eagerly desirous to know the truth of things: and that other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre ; John was a younger man than Peter, and so more nimble, and swift of foot, and got to the sepulchre before him; and besides, had not that concern of mind to retard him, Peter might have; as, supposing Christ was risen, and he should see him, how he should be able... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 20:5

And he stooping down and looking in ,.... That is, John; when he came to the sepulchre, stooped down to look into it, and see what he could see; he only went into the court, or stood upon the floor, where the bearers used to set down the bier, before they put the corpse into one of the graves in the sepulchre, which were four cubits lower; See Gill on Mark 16:5 . Hence he was obliged to stoop down, ere he could see anything within: when he saw the linen clothes lying ; in which the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 20:6

Then cometh Simon Peter following him ,.... In a very little time after him: and went into the sepulchre ; itself, though not without first stooping down, as John did; see Luke 24:12 . And seeth the linen clothes lie ; as John did; and as by the mouth of two or three witnesses everything is confirmed, so was this; both saw the linen in which the body was wrapped, but that was gone; and which was a sign that the body was not stolen away, otherwise the linen would not have been left;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 20:7

And the napkin that was about his head ,.... The word σουδαριον , rendered "napkin", is thought to be originally Latin, and signifies an handkerchief, with which the sweat is wiped off the face, and so it is used in Acts 19:12 but Nonnus says it is a common word with the Syrians, and the word סודרא is used in the Syriac version; and which he renders, κεφαλης ζωστηρα , "the girdle, or binding of the head", for with this the head and face of the dead person were bound; see John 11:44 ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 20:8

Then went in also the other disciple ,.... John, being animated by the example of Peter, went down into the sepulchre likewise; whither Peter also might beckon, or call him, to be witness with him of the order and situation in which things lay: which came first to the sepulchre ; yet went last into it; so it was, that the first was last, and the last first: and he saw ; the linen clothes lie in one place, and the napkin folded up in order, lying by itself in another: and believed ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 20:4

Outrun Peter - Not because he had a greater desire to see into the truth of these things; but because he was younger, and lighter of foot. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 20:5

Went he not in - Why? Because he was fully satisfied that the body was not there. But why did he not seize upon the linen clothes, and keep them as a most precious relic? Because he had too much religion and too much sense; and the time of superstition and nonsense was not yet arrived, in which bits of rotten wood, rags of rotten cloth, decayed bones (to whom originally belonging no one knows) and bramble bushes, should become objects of religious adoration. read more

Group of Brands