John 20:2
Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
Original Language Analysis
τρέχει
she runneth
G5143
τρέχει
she runneth
Strong's:
G5143
Word #:
1 of 31
which uses ????? <pronunciation strongs="drem'-o"/> (the base of g1408) as alternate in certain tenses; to run or walk hastily (literally or figurativ
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
3 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔρχεται
cometh
G2064
ἔρχεται
cometh
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
4 of 31
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
5 of 31
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
Πέτρον
Peter
G4074
Πέτρον
Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
7 of 31
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
9 of 31
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὃν
whom
G3739
ὃν
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
13 of 31
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐφίλει
loved
G5368
ἐφίλει
loved
Strong's:
G5368
Word #:
14 of 31
to be a friend to (fond of (an individual or an object)), i.e., have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling;
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
16 of 31
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
18 of 31
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτόν
him
G846
αὐτόν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
19 of 31
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Ἦραν
They have taken away
G142
Ἦραν
They have taken away
Strong's:
G142
Word #:
20 of 31
to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e., weigh
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριον
the Lord
G2962
κύριον
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
22 of 31
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ἐκ
out of
G1537
ἐκ
out of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
23 of 31
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μνημείου
the sepulchre
G3419
μνημείου
the sepulchre
Strong's:
G3419
Word #:
25 of 31
a remembrance, i.e., cenotaph (place of interment)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
26 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἴδαμεν
we know
G1492
οἴδαμεν
we know
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
28 of 31
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ποῦ
where
G4226
ποῦ
where
Strong's:
G4226
Word #:
29 of 31
as adverb of place; at (by implication, to) what locality
Cross References
John 13:23Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.John 20:13And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.John 19:26When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!John 21:7Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.John 21:20Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?John 21:24This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.
Historical Context
Jewish burial customs required anointing within three days. Mary's concern about the body's location reflects this urgency. Roman authorities sometimes removed crucifixion victims to prevent veneration. The disciples' scattered state after Gethsemane explains their separation—they weren't gathered as a group, requiring Mary to seek them out individually or in small clusters.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does initial evidence of resurrection (empty tomb) produce confusion rather than faith?
- What does Mary's immediate turn to the disciples reveal about the early Christian community's interdependence?
- How does her unexpected use of 'Lord' (κύριον) even while assuming theft hint at faith deeper than intellectual understanding?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
She runneth (τρέχει, trechei)—present tense conveys breathless urgency. Mary reports to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved—John's characteristic self-reference, written with humility decades later. The pairing echoes their partnership throughout the passion narrative (13:23-24, 18:15-16).
They have taken away the Lord (Ἦραν τὸν κύριον, Ēran ton kyrion)—even in panic, Mary uses the resurrection title 'Lord' (κύριον, kyrion), not 'teacher' or 'master.' Her assumption of body-theft shows that resurrection wasn't expected or invented—it shattered existing categories. We know not where they have laid him—the plural 'we' suggests other women were present (cf. the Synoptics), though John focuses on Mary's experience.