Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
John was the other disciple who hastened ahead of Peter to reach the tomb first, then went in after him to find it empty with the linen burial clothes left lying in careful, folded order. Seeing the empty tomb and the arranged grave clothes, he believed that Jesus had risen from the dead and was alive. His belief rested on remembering Jesus' own promise that He would rise, even before he understood the Scriptures and prophecies that Christ must rise from the dead. The disciples had heard that promise, but grief and confusion over the crucifixion had kept them from taking it in, while the carefully folded wrappings testified that His body was not merely missing. By another account, on finding the tomb empty they yet did not believe the report that He had risen and returned home marveling.
At the Empty Tomb
The other disciple is John, who when he heard that Christ had risen hastened to the sepulchre and arrived first, ahead of Peter, the first of the twelve to reach the tomb. His zeal and haste in outrunning Peter reflected ardent devotion to Christ.
He went in after Peter and saw that the tomb was empty, with Jesus' body gone. The linen burial clothes were left behind, lying there carefully arranged in orderly, folded placement.
When he saw the empty tomb and the grave clothes, he believed that Jesus had risen from the dead and was alive. What he saw he took as evidence of the resurrection.
Belief Before Understanding Scripture
John’s belief rested on remembering Jesus’ own words spoken before His death that He would rise from the dead. When he entered the tomb after Peter and saw that Jesus’ body was gone and the linen clothes were lying there left behind, he took what he saw as evidence and believed that Jesus had risen and was alive. He so believed before he and the other disciples understood the Scripture, the Old Testament scriptures and prophecies teaching that Christ must rise from the dead. The disciples had heard Jesus say He would rise, but grief and confusion over His crucifixion had kept them from taking in what He told them or considering that it would be fulfilled.
The carefully arranged, orderly and folded placement of the grave clothes and wrappings testified that Jesus was not merely missing. By another account, on finding the tomb empty with the linen clothes left behind, the disciples yet did not believe the report that Jesus had risen and returned home marveling.
Witness and Living Application
The disciple who entered the empty tomb saw the evidence there and believed, and the disciples' testimony that the tomb was empty and that they saw and spoke with the risen Jesus established the certainty of His resurrection. John was the first of the twelve disciples to reach the tomb, yet his being first did not mean he was the one named in Christ's first message to the disciples after the resurrection, for that message specifically named Peter. The verse means that Jesus is risen and living, not still buried in Joseph's new tomb with a great stone rolled before the door. He has risen as a living Saviour, the Head of the church and the Good Shepherd whose sheep know His voice and follow Him and will not follow a stranger.
It calls for keeping heart and courage and faith when things become entangled and cannot be easily adjusted, refusing to talk doubts and unbelief. Discouragement spreads as a deadly malady, while the Lord's own power sets things straight and saves from rebellion and apostasy as long as hope and trust remain in God.
John was the other disciple who hastened ahead of Peter to reach the tomb first, then went in after him to find it empty with the linen burial clothes left lying in careful, folded order. Seeing the empty tomb and the arranged grave clothes, he believed that Jesus had risen from the dead and was alive. His belief rested on remembering Jesus' own promise that He would rise, even before he understood the Scriptures and prophecies that Christ must rise from the dead. The disciples had heard that promise, but grief and confusion over the crucifixion had kept them from taking it in, while the carefully folded wrappings testified that His body was not merely missing. By another account, on finding the tomb empty they yet did not believe the report that He had risen and returned home marveling.
At the Empty Tomb
The other disciple is John, who when he heard that Christ had risen hastened to the sepulchre and arrived first, ahead of Peter, the first of the twelve to reach the tomb. His zeal and haste in outrunning Peter reflected ardent devotion to Christ.
He went in after Peter and saw that the tomb was empty, with Jesus' body gone. The linen burial clothes were left behind, lying there carefully arranged in orderly, folded placement.
When he saw the empty tomb and the grave clothes, he believed that Jesus had risen from the dead and was alive. What he saw he took as evidence of the resurrection.
Belief Before Understanding Scripture
John’s belief rested on remembering Jesus’ own words spoken before His death that He would rise from the dead. When he entered the tomb after Peter and saw that Jesus’ body was gone and the linen clothes were lying there left behind, he took what he saw as evidence and believed that Jesus had risen and was alive. He so believed before he and the other disciples understood the Scripture, the Old Testament scriptures and prophecies teaching that Christ must rise from the dead. The disciples had heard Jesus say He would rise, but grief and confusion over His crucifixion had kept them from taking in what He told them or considering that it would be fulfilled.
The carefully arranged, orderly and folded placement of the grave clothes and wrappings testified that Jesus was not merely missing. By another account, on finding the tomb empty with the linen clothes left behind, the disciples yet did not believe the report that Jesus had risen and returned home marveling.
Witness and Living Application
The disciple who entered the empty tomb saw the evidence there and believed, and the disciples' testimony that the tomb was empty and that they saw and spoke with the risen Jesus established the certainty of His resurrection. John was the first of the twelve disciples to reach the tomb, yet his being first did not mean he was the one named in Christ's first message to the disciples after the resurrection, for that message specifically named Peter. The verse means that Jesus is risen and living, not still buried in Joseph's new tomb with a great stone rolled before the door. He has risen as a living Saviour, the Head of the church and the Good Shepherd whose sheep know His voice and follow Him and will not follow a stranger.
It calls for keeping heart and courage and faith when things become entangled and cannot be easily adjusted, refusing to talk doubts and unbelief. Discouragement spreads as a deadly malady, while the Lord's own power sets things straight and saves from rebellion and apostasy as long as hope and trust remain in God.