John 20:4

KJV

So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.

KJV (with Strong's)

So {G1161} they ran {G5143} both {G1417} together {G3674}: and {G2532} the other {G243} disciple {G3101} did outrun {G4390}{G5032} Peter {G4074}, and {G2532} came {G2064} first {G4413} to {G1519} the sepulchre {G3419}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They both ran, but the other talmid outran Kefa and reached the tomb first.

Berean Standard Bible

The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.

American Standard Version

And they ran both together: and the other disciple outran Peter, and came first to the tomb;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 20:4 vividly captures the urgent and highly anticipated race of Peter and "the other disciple" (traditionally John) to the tomb of Jesus. Prompted by Mary Magdalene's alarming report that the Lord's body was missing, the two apostles immediately set off, driven by a mixture of confusion, desperation, and a burgeoning hope that something extraordinary had occurred. This verse specifically highlights the swifter pace of the unnamed disciple, who arrived at the sepulchre first, setting the scene for their firsthand encounter with the empty tomb.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the foundational resurrection narrative in John's Gospel, immediately following Mary Magdalene's discovery of the empty tomb and her subsequent report to Peter and the "other disciple" in [John 20:1-2](/john/20-1-2 "John 20:1-2 - Mary Magdalene's Discovery and Report"). The disciples' hurried journey in [John 20:3-4](/john/20-3-4 "John 20:3-4 - Peter and John Race to the Tomb") directly precedes their individual inspections of the tomb's contents, particularly the grave clothes, which lead the "other disciple" to believe ([John 20:5-8](/john/20-5-8 "John 20:5-8 - Disciples Inspect the Tomb")). This sequence of events meticulously details the initial human responses to the resurrection, moving from confusion and speculation to dawning faith.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events unfold early on the "first day of the week," aligning with Jewish custom that the Sabbath had ended at sundown on Saturday, making Sunday the beginning of a new week. Jewish burial practices typically involved wrapping the deceased in linen cloths with spices, then placing the body in a rock-hewn tomb or sepulchre, often sealed with a large stone. The urgency of Peter and John's run reflects the profound shock and disbelief at Mary's news, as the removal of a body from a sealed tomb without authorization would have been a grave offense, potentially desecrating the deceased and inviting Roman intervention. Their immediate, personal investigation underscores the high stakes of Mary's report within their cultural and religious framework.
* **Key Themes:** The verse contributes significantly to several key themes within John's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. **Urgency and Eagerness** are palpable, demonstrating the disciples' passionate desire to verify Mary's astonishing news, reflecting a human yearning for truth in moments of crisis. The inclusion of the detail that "the other disciple did outrun Peter" serves as a subtle yet powerful affirmation of **Eyewitness Testimony**, a recurring emphasis in John's Gospel, where the author implicitly establishes his personal presence and reliability as a witness to these pivotal events (cf. [John 21:24](/john/21-24 "John 21:24 - The Witness of the Beloved Disciple")). Furthermore, this detail subtly highlights the **Distinct Personalities and Roles** of Peter and John, foreshadowing their respective contributions to the early church, while simultaneously showcasing their unity in seeking the truth of the empty tomb, a foundational event for the Christian faith as articulated in passages like [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Core of the Gospel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **ran (Greek, _tréchō'_):** This verb (G5143) signifies to run or walk hastily, often implying a sense of urgency or rapid movement. In this context, it vividly conveys the immediate and swift response of both disciples, propelled by the startling news from Mary Magdalene. Their "running" is not merely casual movement but a fervent dash born of intense emotion and a desperate need to know.
* **outrun (Greek, _protréchō'_):** This compound verb (G4390), formed from "before" (πρό) and "run" (τρέχω), literally means "to run forward" or "to run before." Paired with the adverb "first" (G4413, _prōtos_), it emphasizes the greater speed and earlier arrival of the "other disciple." This detail is not merely incidental but serves to highlight John's personal involvement and his being the first of the two apostles to reach the tomb.
* **sepulchre (Greek, _mnēmeîon'_):** This noun (G3419) refers to a memorial, monument, or place of interment, specifically a grave or tomb. It denotes the physical location where Jesus' body had been laid. The disciples' destination is not just any place, but the specific, known burial site, underscoring the direct and focused nature of their investigation into the disappearance of Jesus' body.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So they ran both together":** This opening clause immediately establishes the shared urgency and unified action of Peter and the "other disciple." The adverb "together" (G3674, _homoû_) emphasizes their joint pursuit of the truth, despite their individual temperaments. Their synchronized sprint underscores the profound impact of Mary's news and their collective desire to verify it.
* **"and the other disciple did outrun Peter":** This specific detail is highly significant. It highlights the physical swiftness of the "other disciple" (traditionally identified as John, the author), who was likely younger and perhaps more agile than Peter. This seemingly minor observation serves as a subtle signature of an eyewitness, lending authenticity and personal authority to the narrative. It also sets up a subtle dynamic between the two apostles, where John arrives first but later defers to Peter's seniority by not entering the tomb immediately (as seen in [John 20:5-6](/john/20-5-6 "John 20:5-6 - John Arrives, Peter Enters")).
* **"and came first to the sepulchre":** This final phrase confirms the outcome of the race. The "other disciple" was the inaugural arrival at the tomb, signifying his initial proximity to the unfolding mystery. His being "first" intensifies the anticipation for what he, and then Peter, would discover inside the burial place, setting the stage for the revelation of the empty tomb and the subsequent dawning of belief.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to enhance its impact. **Pacing** is evident through the rapid succession of verbs of motion ("ran," "outrun," "came"), creating a sense of urgency and breathless anticipation. This quickening pace mirrors the emotional state of the disciples. **Subtle Self-Identification** is a hallmark of John's Gospel, where the author, "the other disciple" or "the disciple whom Jesus loved," includes details that implicitly confirm his presence without explicitly naming himself. This particular detail about outrunning Peter serves as a personal signature, authenticating his eyewitness account. Furthermore, there is a subtle **Foil** or **Contrast** drawn between John and Peter, highlighting their individual characteristics—John's youthful swiftness versus Peter's more established leadership, even as they are united in their quest.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The eager race of Peter and John to the empty tomb profoundly illustrates the human longing for truth and the immediate, personal pursuit of divine revelation. Their hurried journey is not merely a physical act but a spiritual quest, reflecting the innate human desire to understand the profound mysteries of life and death, especially when confronted with the seemingly impossible. This urgency in seeking the truth about Jesus' disappearance foreshadows the essential Christian call to actively pursue and verify the claims of the Gospel, rather than passively accepting them. Their individual responses at the tomb, leading to belief, underscore the personal nature of faith, which often begins with investigation and culminates in conviction.

* [Luke 24:12](/luke/24-12 "Luke 24:12 - Peter's Race to the Tomb")
* [1 John 1:1-3](/1_john/1-1-3 "1 John 1:1-3 - Eyewitness Testimony of the Word of Life")
* [John 20:29](/john/20-29 "John 20:29 - Blessed Are Those Who Have Not Seen and Yet Have Believed")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 20:4 offers a compelling portrait of human response to extraordinary news, providing timeless lessons for our spiritual journey. The disciples' immediate and vigorous action in response to Mary's report challenges us to consider our own eagerness in pursuing spiritual truth. Do we approach God's Word and the claims of Christ with the same fervent desire to investigate and understand? This verse reminds us that faith is not a passive acceptance but an active engagement, often requiring us to "run" towards the truth, to personally examine the evidence of God's work in the world and in our lives. It calls us to move beyond secondhand accounts and to seek a personal encounter with the realities of our faith. Furthermore, the dynamic between Peter and John—running together yet with one outrunning the other, and then the younger deferring to the older—teaches us about the value of unity in purpose, mutual respect, and humility within the community of faith, even amidst individual differences in gifts or roles. Our shared pursuit of Christ should always be marked by both zealous personal commitment and a spirit of collaborative humility.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does the disciples' urgent race to the tomb reveal about their initial response to Mary Magdalene's news, and how does this compare to our own eagerness to seek truth in matters of faith?**
* **How does the detail of "the other disciple" outrunning Peter, yet waiting for him, illustrate the balance between individual zeal and communal respect within the Christian walk?**
* **In what ways are we called to "run" towards the truth of Christ's resurrection in our own lives, actively seeking to understand and experience its implications?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the importance of personal investigation and eyewitness accounts in establishing the foundations of our faith?**

### FAQ
**Who was "the other disciple" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: While not explicitly named in this verse, biblical scholars and tradition widely identify "the other disciple" as John, the author of this Gospel. This designation, often appearing 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 21:7](/john/21-7 "John 21:7 - The Beloved Disciple Identifies Jesus")), is a characteristic way John refers to himself in his own narrative, subtly indicating his personal presence and eyewitness testimony without using his given name. This detail underscores the authenticity and personal nature of his account of the resurrection.

**Why is the seemingly minor detail of one disciple outrunning the other included in the Gospel account?**

Answer: The inclusion of this detail serves several important purposes. Firstly, it subtly reinforces the **eyewitness authenticity** of the narrative. Only someone who was personally present and intimately involved would recall and record such a specific, seemingly minor, yet vivid detail. Secondly, it highlights the **distinct personalities** of Peter and John; John, likely younger and swifter, and Peter, the older, more established leader. This dynamic is further developed in subsequent verses where Peter enters the tomb first, demonstrating a respectful deference from John despite his earlier arrival ([John 20:6](/john/20-6 "John 20:6 - Peter Enters the Tomb")). Lastly, it contributes to the **narrative tension and anticipation**, as the reader, like the disciples, is eager to discover what awaits them at the tomb.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The hurried race of Peter and John to the empty tomb, as described in [John 20:4](/john/20-4 "John 20:4 - Peter and John Race to the Tomb"), is a profoundly Christ-centered moment, even before the full understanding of the resurrection dawns upon them. Their desperate sprint is a human response to the divine act of Christ's triumph over death. The empty tomb, which they are so eagerly rushing to verify, is the irrefutable proof of Jesus' victory, fulfilling His own prophecies of rising again ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection"), [Matthew 16:21](/matthew/16-21 "Matthew 16:21 - Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection")). This scene, therefore, foreshadows the eager pursuit of Christ by all who would believe in His resurrection. The disciples' initial confusion and urgent investigation ultimately lead to faith in the Risen Lord ([John 20:8](/john/20-8 "John 20:8 - The Beloved Disciple Believes")), mirroring the journey of every believer who comes to embrace the life-transforming truth of Christ's finished work on the cross and His glorious resurrection, which is the cornerstone of Christian hope and the power for new life ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life Through Christ's Resurrection"), [1 Corinthians 15:17](/1_corinthians/15-17 "1 Corinthians 15:17 - If Christ Has Not Been Raised")). Their race is a microcosm of humanity's yearning for the ultimate answer found only in the resurrected Christ.

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

2 Samuel 18:23

But howsoever, [said he], let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.

1 Corinthians 9:24

¶ Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

2 Corinthians 8:12

For if there be first a willing mind, [it is] accepted according to that a man hath, [and] not according to that he hath not.

Leviticus 13:30

Then the priest shall see the plague: and, behold, if it [be] in sight deeper than the skin; [and there be] in it a yellow thin hair; then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it [is] a dry scall, [even] a leprosy upon the head or beard.