John 20:8-9

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 20:8

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 20:9

For as yet they knew not the Scripture ,.... Meaning not some particular passage of Scripture, but the writings of the Old Testament in general, and the various places in it, which spoke of the resurrection of Christ, either in a way of type, or prophecy; such as Genesis 22:3 and though our Lord had often referred to some of them, at least as in Matthew 12:40 yet such was the dulness of the disciples, or such their prejudices in favour of the Messiah being to continue, and set up a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 20:8

That other disciple - John. Saw - That the body was not there. And believed - That it had been taken away, as Mary had said; but he did not believe that he was risen from the dead. See what follows. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 20:9

They knew not the scripture - Viz. Psalm 16:9 , Psalm 16:10 ; : Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell - לשאול נפשי תעזב לא כי ki lo taazob naphshi l'sheol - For thou wilt not abandon my life to the grave, nor suffer thy Holy One to see corruption. It was certainly a reproach to the disciples that they had not understood this prophecy, when our Lord had given them often the most direct information concerning it. Christ had referred to the history of Jonah, Matthew 12:40 , which was at... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 20:8

Verse 8 8.And he saw and believed. It is a poor exposition which some give of these words, that John believed what he had heard Mary say, namely, that Christ’s body had been carried away; for there is no passage in which the word believe bears this meaning, especially when it is used simply and without any addition. Nor is this inconsistent with the fact, that Peter and John return home, while they are still in doubt and perplexity; for in some passages John had employed this phraseology, when... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 20:9

Verse 9 9.For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. They had often heard from the mouth of Christ what they now saw with their eyes, but this flowed from their hearts. Being now warned by the sight of a strange spectacle, they begin to think of Christ as having something Divine, though they are still far from having a clear and accurate knowledge of him. John, therefore, accuses himself, when he acknowledges that the first time that he believed was, when he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 20:1-10

(1) The process of John's own personal conviction, by the discovery that the sepulcher was deserted. read more

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