Luke 24:12
Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
Peter's prominence throughout the Gospels and Acts makes his investigation significant. As spokesman for the Twelve, his witness carried weight. His threefold denial (Luke 22:54-62) made him perhaps the most unlikely candidate for apostolic leadership, yet Jesus restored him (John 21:15-17) and he became the early church's primary leader (Acts 1-12).
Luke's brief account is supplemented by John 20:3-10, which adds that John accompanied Peter and arrived first but let Peter enter the tomb first. Both saw the grave clothes and believed—or at least moved toward belief. The physical evidence of the undisturbed burial cloths became important early Christian apologetic against the stolen-body theory. The combination of empty tomb, ordered grave clothes, and angelic testimony pointed toward resurrection.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Peter's investigation despite initial skepticism teach about honest pursuit of truth?
- How do the undisturbed grave clothes serve as evidence for resurrection rather than body theft?
- Why might Peter only 'wonder' rather than immediately believe, and what does this teach about the process of coming to faith?
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Analysis & Commentary
Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass. Peter's response contrasts with the other apostles' dismissal. The verb "arose" (anastas, ἀναστὰς) suggests sudden, decisive action, and he ran (edramen, ἔδραμεν)—urgency driven by either hope or curiosity. His stooping down (parakypsas, παρακύψας) to peer into the low tomb entrance shows careful investigation, not casual observation.
What Peter beheld (blepei, βλέπει, present tense creating vividness) was the linen clothes laid by themselves (ta othonia mona, τὰ ὀθόνια μόνα). The grave clothes lying undisturbed—not unwrapped and scattered as if grave robbers had stolen the body—suggested something extraordinary. John's account adds that the head cloth was "wrapped together in a place by itself" (John 20:7), implying the body had passed through the cloths, leaving them collapsed but positioned. This detail argues against theft—thieves wouldn't carefully arrange burial cloths.
Peter departed, wondering in himself (apēlthen pros hauton thaumazōn, ἀπῆλθεν πρὸς ἑαυτὸν θαυμάζων). The verb thaumazō (θαυμάζων) means to marvel, be amazed—not yet belief but astonishment. The phrase "in himself" (pros hauton, πρὸς ἑαυτόν) suggests internal dialogue, processing what he'd seen. Peter stood between unbelief and faith, evidence and understanding, confusion and clarity.