John 20:6
Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
Original Language Analysis
ἔρχεται
cometh
G2064
ἔρχεται
cometh
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
1 of 16
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Πέτρος
Peter
G4074
Πέτρος
Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
4 of 16
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
ἀκολουθῶν
following
G190
ἀκολουθῶν
following
Strong's:
G190
Word #:
5 of 16
properly, to be in the same way with, i.e., to accompany (specially, as a disciple)
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 16
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
9 of 16
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μνημεῖον
the sepulchre
G3419
μνημεῖον
the sepulchre
Strong's:
G3419
Word #:
11 of 16
a remembrance, i.e., cenotaph (place of interment)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
θεωρεῖ
seeth
G2334
θεωρεῖ
seeth
Strong's:
G2334
Word #:
13 of 16
to be a spectator of, i.e., discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge))
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Peter's leadership role in the early church (Acts 1-12) was already established when John wrote, making this account of Peter entering first theologically significant—the church's chief apostle is first to fully witness the empty tomb's evidence. Peter's boldness here contrasts with his earlier denials (18:17, 25-27), showing restoration already beginning even before the explicit reconciliation of chapter 21.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Peter's immediate entry despite ritual defilement show that some moments transcend religious protocol?
- What does the undisturbed state of the grave clothes prove that an empty tomb alone could not?
- When has your boldness in entering difficult situations prepared the way for others' understanding?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Then cometh Simon Peter following him—Peter arrives second but went into the sepulchre (εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον, eisēlthen eis to mnēmeion) immediately, characteristically bold. The verb's aorist tense emphasizes decisive action contrasting John's hesitation. And seeth the linen clothes lie (θεωρεῖ τὰ ὀθόνια κείμενα, theōrei ta othonia keimena)—John uses a different verb for Peter's seeing: θεωρεῖ (theōrei), suggesting more careful observation than mere glancing.
Peter's entering first despite arriving second inverts expected order, previewing the resurrection's pattern of reversals. The grave clothes 'lying' (κείμενα, keimena)—present participle suggesting they lie undisturbed, not scattered as if unwrapped hastily. This detail becomes crucial: the body hadn't been stolen (thieves don't unwrap corpses), nor had Jesus merely revived (he wouldn't carefully remove wrappings).