John 20:3

KJV

Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.

KJV (with Strong's)

Peter {G4074} therefore {G3767} went forth {G1831}, and {G2532} that other {G243} disciple {G3101}, and {G2532} came {G2064} to {G1519} the sepulchre {G3419}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Kefa and the other talmid started for the tomb.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Peter and the other disciple set out for the tomb.

American Standard Version

Peter therefore went forth, and the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 20:3 vividly portrays the immediate and urgent response of Peter and "that other disciple" (traditionally John) upon hearing Mary Magdalene's startling news of an empty tomb. This verse marks the pivotal moment when the initial report of absence transitions into a personal, investigative journey for the disciples, setting the stage for their direct encounter with the profound implications of Jesus' resurrection.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a direct consequence of the preceding narrative in [John 20:1-2](/john/20-1-2 "John 20:1-2 - Mary Magdalene Discovers the Empty Tomb"). Mary Magdalene, having discovered the stone rolled away and the tomb empty, immediately runs to Simon Peter and "the other disciple whom Jesus loved" to report what she presumes is the theft of Jesus' body. Her distressed declaration, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him," ignites the urgent action described in [John 20:3](/john/20-3 "John 20:3 - Peter and John Go to the Tomb"). The swift departure of Peter and John underscores the gravity of Mary's report and sets up the dramatic race to the tomb in [John 20:4](/john/20-4 "John 20:4 - The Race to the Tomb"), leading to their personal verification of the empty sepulchre and the subsequent unfolding of the resurrection narrative. This sequence emphasizes the transition from hearsay to eyewitness confirmation, crucial for the Gospel's theme of belief.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish burial practices typically involved placing a body in a rock-cut tomb or cave, often sealed with a large, heavy stone to deter grave robbers and animals. The "sepulchre" (Greek: _mnēmeîon_) mentioned here would have been such a tomb, likely a private one, as indicated by [John 19:41-42](/john/19-41-42 "John 19:41-42 - Jesus' Burial in a New Tomb"). The disciples' immediate journey to the tomb would have been a common and expected response to such a report, driven by a desire to understand what had happened to the body of their beloved teacher. The idea of a body being "taken" (as Mary initially believes) would have been a plausible, albeit distressing, explanation in a time when grave desecration or body snatching was a known concern, especially for crucified individuals whose bodies might be disposed of without proper burial.

* **Key Themes:** The immediate "going forth" of Peter and John highlights the theme of **Urgency and Investigation**. Their swift action is not passive acceptance but an active pursuit of truth, driven by a mixture of grief, confusion, and perhaps a nascent hope. This urgency leads directly to their **Eyewitness Testimony**, which is foundational to the Christian faith. The Gospel of John consistently emphasizes the importance of seeing and believing, and this moment marks the beginning of the disciples' direct encounter with the evidence of Jesus' resurrection. Furthermore, the persistent identification of John as **"that other disciple"** or "the disciple whom Jesus loved" throughout the Gospel (e.g., [John 13:23](/john/13-23 "John 13:23 - The Beloved Disciple at the Last Supper"), [John 19:26-27](/john/19-26-27 "John 19:26-27 - Jesus Commits His Mother to John")) serves a dual purpose: it maintains a humble anonymity while simultaneously underscoring his unique intimacy with Jesus and his significant presence at pivotal moments, including this foundational event of the resurrection.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **went forth (Greek, _exérchomai'_):** From the Greek _ek_ (out of) and _érchomai_ (to come or go), this verb signifies a departure or issuing out from a place. In [John 20:3](/john/20-3 "John 20:3 - Peter and John Go to the Tomb"), it conveys the prompt and decisive action taken by Peter and the other disciple, indicating their immediate response to Mary Magdalene's report, moving from their current location towards the tomb. It implies a purposeful movement rather than a casual stroll.
* **other (Greek, _állos'_):** This word denotes "else" or "different," referring to one distinct from another, yet of the same kind. In this context, "that other disciple" distinguishes John from Peter, identifying him as a separate individual among the group of disciples, without implying a qualitative difference, but rather a numerical distinction. It is John's characteristic way of referring to himself, maintaining a humble distance while affirming his presence.
* **disciple (Greek, _mathētḗs'_):** Derived from the verb _manthánō_ (to learn), a _mathētḗs_ is fundamentally a learner or pupil. The term emphasizes the relationship of instruction and adherence to a teacher's teachings. Here, it identifies Peter and John not merely as followers, but as committed students of Jesus, whose lives were shaped by His teaching and example, making their urgent investigation of His tomb profoundly significant for their faith.
* **sepulchre (Greek, _mnēmeîon'_):** From _mnḗmē_ (remembrance), this word refers to a memorial, cenotaph, or place of interment, specifically a grave or tomb. It highlights the physical location where Jesus' body had been laid, and the emptiness of which becomes the central piece of evidence for the resurrection. The term underscores its function as a place of memory, which, in this case, becomes a place of radical transformation from death to life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Peter therefore went forth":** This clause highlights Peter's immediate and decisive action. The conjunction "therefore" (_oûn_) links his departure directly to Mary Magdalene's report in [John 20:2](/john/20-2 "John 20:2 - Mary's Report to Peter and John"). Peter, as a prominent leader among the apostles, takes the initiative to investigate the astonishing news, demonstrating his characteristic impulsiveness and desire for direct verification. His "going forth" signifies a purposeful movement from his dwelling to the tomb.
* **"and that other disciple":** This phrase introduces John, the author of the Gospel, who consistently refers to himself in this humble, indirect manner. His inclusion underscores his presence and participation in this critical moment, emphasizing the joint nature of the investigation. The fact that two key disciples respond together lends credibility and weight to the ensuing discovery, as it involves multiple witnesses.
* **"and came to the sepulchre.":** This final clause states the destination of their urgent journey. Their arrival at the tomb is the culmination of their immediate response, setting the scene for their personal examination of the empty burial place. The simple statement belies the profound significance of their destination, as it is the place where the ultimate victory over death is about to be confirmed.

#### Literary Devices
John's concise narrative in [John 20:3](/john/20-3 "John 20:3 - Peter and John Go to the Tomb") effectively employs several **Literary Devices**. The use of **Narrative Pacing** is evident in the swift transition from Mary's report to the disciples' immediate action, creating a sense of urgency and expectation. The simple, declarative sentences ("Peter therefore went forth... and came to the sepulchre") contribute to this rapid pace, mirroring the disciples' haste. **Characterization** is subtly employed through the mention of "Peter" (highlighting his leadership and characteristic readiness to act) and "that other disciple" (John's consistent self-reference, emphasizing his unique relationship with Jesus and his role as an eyewitness). This indirect characterization draws the reader into the intimate circle of Jesus' closest followers. Furthermore, the verse functions as **Foreshadowing**, as the disciples' journey to the empty tomb implicitly hints at the incredible truth that awaits them—the resurrection itself. Their physical movement towards the sepulchre anticipates the spiritual revelation that will soon transform their understanding and the course of history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 20:3 underscores the critical importance of eyewitness testimony and personal investigation in the formation of faith. The disciples do not immediately believe Mary's initial, incomplete report; instead, they are compelled to see for themselves. This active pursuit of truth is a foundational principle in the Gospel of John, where seeing often precedes and facilitates believing. Their journey to the empty tomb is not merely a physical act but a spiritual pilgrimage from confusion and doubt towards understanding and conviction. This emphasis on verifiable evidence for the resurrection is crucial, as the bodily resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christian theology, validating His claims and providing the basis for hope in eternal life.

* [Luke 24:12](/luke/24-12 "Luke 24:12 - Peter's Visit to the Tomb")
* [1 Corinthians 15:3-8](/1_corinthians/15-3-8 "1 Corinthians 15:3-8 - The Resurrection as a Historical Fact")
* [Acts 1:21-22](/acts/1-21-22 "Acts 1:21-22 - Requirements for an Apostle as an Eyewitness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The disciples' urgent response in [John 20:3](/john/20-3 "John 20:3 - Peter and John Go to the Tomb") serves as a powerful model for our own spiritual journey. In a world filled with competing narratives and claims, the call to "go forth" and investigate the truth of Christ's resurrection remains profoundly relevant. Their initial confusion and immediate action remind us that faith is not always an instantaneous, blind leap, but often involves a process of seeking, questioning, and personally engaging with the evidence. Just as Peter and John ran to verify Mary's report, we are invited to actively explore the historical and theological foundations of our faith, allowing personal encounter with the resurrected Christ to transform our understanding and deepen our conviction. This verse encourages us to move beyond hearsay, to pursue a robust and informed faith that is grounded in the reality of God's redemptive acts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What motivates your "going forth" to seek truth in your spiritual life?**
* **How do you typically respond to surprising or challenging spiritual claims? Do you investigate, or do you tend to accept or dismiss them without personal inquiry?**
* **In what ways can a personal "race to the tomb" (i.e., actively engaging with the core truths of Christianity) strengthen your faith?**
* **How does the disciples' immediate response in this verse encourage you to be more proactive in your pursuit of God?**

### FAQ

**Why did Peter and John go to the sepulchre instead of immediately believing Mary Magdalene?**

Answer: Peter and John went to the sepulchre because Mary Magdalene's report was astonishing and, from her perspective, alarming. She did not report a resurrection but rather a theft: "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him" ([John 20:2](/john/20-2 "John 20:2 - Mary's Report to Peter and John")). Given the cultural context and the disciples' own limited understanding of Jesus' resurrection prophecies at this point, their natural and immediate reaction was to verify her incredible claim. Their urgency reflects a mixture of concern, confusion, and perhaps a glimmer of hope, compelling them to see the situation for themselves before drawing conclusions. This need for personal verification is a recurring theme in the Gospels, emphasizing the importance of eyewitness testimony.

**Who is "that other disciple" mentioned in John 20:3?**

Answer: "That other disciple" is a characteristic self-reference used by the author of the Gospel of John, traditionally identified as John, the son of Zebedee. Throughout his Gospel, John consistently refers to himself indirectly as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (e.g., [John 13:23](/john/13-23 "John 13:23 - The Beloved Disciple at the Last Supper"), [John 19:26](/john/19-26 "John 19:26 - Jesus Commits His Mother to John"), [John 21:7](/john/21-7 "John 21:7 - The Beloved Disciple Recognizes Jesus")), or simply "the other disciple." This literary device serves to maintain a humble anonymity while simultaneously highlighting his unique intimacy with Jesus and his presence at crucial moments in the narrative, including the discovery of the empty tomb and the subsequent appearances of the resurrected Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 20:3, while describing the initial human response to an empty tomb, profoundly points to the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The urgent journey of Peter and John to the sepulchre is a testament to the physical reality of Christ's resurrection, which is the cornerstone of Christian faith. Their "going forth" to a seemingly empty grave foreshadows the glorious truth that death could not hold the Son of God. Christ's victory over the grave, as evidenced by the empty tomb they were about to discover, fulfills ancient prophecies (e.g., [Psalm 16:10](/psalms/16-10 "Psalm 16:10 - You Will Not Abandon My Soul to Sheol")) and validates Jesus' own claims to be the resurrection and the life ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). The empty sepulchre, initially a source of confusion, becomes the ultimate proof that Christ is indeed alive, having conquered sin and death once and for all ([Romans 6:9-10](/romans/6-9-10 "Romans 6:9-10 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). This pivotal moment in the narrative sets the stage for the disciples' transformation from confused followers to bold witnesses, empowered by the living Christ to proclaim the good news of salvation and eternal life to all who believe ([Acts 2:32](/acts/2-32 "Acts 2:32 - Peter's Witness to the Resurrection")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.