John 20:5

KJV

And he stooping down, [and looking in], saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he stooping down {G3879}, and looking in, saw {G991} the linen clothes {G3608} lying {G2749}; yet {G3305} went he {G1525} not {G3756} in {G1525}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Stooping down, he saw the linen burial-sheets lying there but did not go in.

Berean Standard Bible

He bent down and looked in at the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.

American Standard Version

and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths lying; yet entered he not in.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 20:5 vividly recounts the apostle John's initial encounter with the empty tomb of Jesus, a pivotal moment in the unfolding resurrection narrative. Having outrun Peter to the sepulchre, John cautiously peers inside, observing the undisturbed linen burial cloths, a detail that subtly yet powerfully hints at a miraculous, rather than a human, removal of the body, setting the stage for deeper understanding and belief.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an immediate follow-up to Mary Magdalene's frantic report in [John 20:1-2](/john/20-1-2 "Mary Magdalene's Discovery of the Empty Tomb") that Jesus' body was missing. It initiates a critical sequence of events where two key disciples, John and Peter, race to the tomb. John, arriving first, serves as the initial witness, his cautious observation in [John 20:5](/john/20-5 "John's First Glimpse of the Empty Tomb") directly preceding Peter's more impulsive entry and thorough examination in [John 20:6-7](/john/20-6-7 "Peter's Entry and Observation of the Grave Clothes"). This careful staging of their individual reactions builds narrative tension and emphasizes the evidence that leads to their eventual belief in [John 20:8](/john/20-8 "John's Belief in the Resurrection").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish burial customs involved wrapping the deceased in long strips of linen cloth, often with aromatic spices, as described in [John 19:40](/john/19-40 "Jesus' Burial Preparations"). These grave clothes (othónia) were valuable and would typically be taken by grave robbers, or at least left in disarray. The detail that the linen clothes were "lying" (keîmai) in an orderly fashion, and later that the head cloth was "folded up by itself" ([John 20:7](/john/20-7 "The Significance of the Folded Head Cloth")), is highly significant. It contradicts any notion of a theft or a hasty removal, pointing instead to a deliberate and supernatural departure, consistent with a resurrection rather than a reburial or abduction.
* **Key Themes:** John 20:5 contributes to several key themes within the Gospel of John and the broader resurrection account. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Witness and Evidence**, as John's observation of the empty tomb and the undisturbed grave clothes provides the first physical evidence for the disciples. Secondly, it subtly introduces the theme of **Orderly Resurrection**, contrasting with the chaos expected from a robbery. The state of the grave clothes suggests a deliberate, unhurried departure, not a panicked flight. Thirdly, it underscores the theme of **Progressive Revelation and Belief**, as John's initial cautious peek (not entering) foreshadows the gradual process by which he, and later Peter, move from perplexity to full belief in the resurrection, as detailed in [John 20:8](/john/20-8 "John's Belief Upon Seeing").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **stooping down (Greek, _parakýptō'_):** From _pará_ (beside) and _kýptō_ (to bend); to bend beside, i.e., lean over so as to peer within. This word suggests a physical posture of bending or crouching to look into a low opening or to gain a better view of something hidden or partially obscured. It conveys John's immediate, eager, yet careful action to investigate the tomb's interior.
* **saw (Greek, _blépō'_):** A primary verb meaning to look at (literally or figuratively); to behold, perceive, regard, or simply to see. In this context, it denotes John's initial, direct visual perception of the linen clothes. It is a straightforward act of seeing, distinct from a deeper, more analytical gaze (like _theōréō_ used for Peter in [John 20:6](/john/20-6 "Peter's Observation")).
* **linen clothes (Greek, _othónion'_):** Neuter of a presumed derivative of _othónē_; a linen bandage. This refers specifically to the strips of linen cloth used to wrap a body for burial. The plural form indicates multiple pieces of cloth, consistent with the Jewish practice of binding the body with strips. Their presence, yet emptiness, is the critical visual evidence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he stooping down, [and looking in]":** This phrase describes John's immediate physical response upon reaching the tomb. The verb "stooping down" (parakýptō) vividly portrays his posture, likely due to a low entrance or his eagerness to peer into the dark interior. His "looking in" (blépō) signifies a direct, though perhaps initial and cautious, visual assessment of the tomb's contents. This action is driven by a desire to confirm Mary Magdalene's astonishing report.
* **"saw the linen clothes lying":** This is the crucial observation. John's gaze immediately falls upon the "linen clothes" (othónia), the very burial wrappings that had encased Jesus' body. The word "lying" (keîmai) implies that they were not scattered or disarranged, but rather resting in place, though now empty of a body. This orderly state of the grave clothes is the first tangible piece of evidence suggesting something extraordinary, rather than a robbery or desecration, had occurred.
* **"yet went he not in":** This final clause highlights John's restraint and perhaps his initial awe or bewilderment. Despite his eagerness to look in, he does not immediately enter the tomb. This cautious approach contrasts with Peter's more characteristic impulsive entry in the very next verse ([John 20:6](/john/20-6 "Peter Enters the Tomb")). John's hesitation underscores the profound and unsettling nature of what he has just witnessed, allowing the implications of the empty grave clothes to begin to sink in.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its profound significance. **Foreshadowing** is evident in John's observation of the "linen clothes lying," which subtly hints at the miraculous nature of the resurrection without explicitly stating it. The orderly state of the cloths, a detail expanded upon in [John 20:7](/john/20-7 "The Head Cloth Folded Apart"), serves as **Symbolism**, representing not a chaotic theft but a deliberate, supernatural departure from the tomb. Furthermore, there is a clear **Contrast** between John's cautious "yet went he not in" and Peter's subsequent, more impulsive entry in [John 20:6](/john/20-6 "Peter's Bold Entry"), highlighting the differing temperaments and initial reactions of the two disciples to the same astonishing scene. This contrast also emphasizes the individual journeys of faith and understanding.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 20:5 serves as the initial physical corroboration of the empty tomb, a foundational element of the resurrection account. The orderly state of the grave clothes, as observed by John, refutes any naturalistic explanation for Jesus' disappearance, such as theft or reburial. Theologically, this detail points to the miraculous nature of the resurrection, where Jesus passed through the grave clothes without disturbing them, leaving them as a silent, powerful testimony to His victory over death. It underscores the truth that Jesus' resurrection was not a resuscitation, but a transformation into a glorified body, leaving behind the vestiges of death in an orderly manner. This initial observation paves the way for the disciples' belief, demonstrating that God provides tangible evidence to prompt faith.

* [Luke 24:12](/luke/24-12 "Peter's Reaction to the Empty Tomb")
* [John 20:8](/john/20-8 "John Believes Upon Seeing")
* [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "The Gospel of Christ's Death and Resurrection")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John's cautious approach to the empty tomb, peering in before entering, offers a profound lesson on the journey of faith and understanding. Often, our spiritual insights unfold in stages: an initial observation, a period of careful consideration, and then, by God's grace, a breakthrough to belief. John's willingness to investigate, even without full comprehension, models a posture of humble inquiry. The undisturbed grave clothes serve as a powerful reminder that God's work is often marked by order, intention, and a quiet, undeniable power that transcends human explanation. For us, this verse encourages a careful examination of the evidence of God's presence and power in our lives and in the world, trusting that He will illuminate our understanding in His perfect timing. It calls us to consider the profound implications of the resurrection, which transforms despair into hope and uncertainty into conviction.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does John's initial caution and observation mirror our own hesitant steps toward deeper faith or understanding in challenging circumstances?**
* **What "empty grave clothes" or subtle evidences of God's work might we be overlooking in our own lives, waiting for us to "stoop down and look in"?**
* **How does the orderly nature of the empty tomb challenge our assumptions about how God works, and what does it teach us about His character?**

### FAQ

**Why did John not enter the tomb immediately, unlike Peter?**

Answer: John's hesitation, noted by the phrase "yet went he not in," is often interpreted in several ways. It could reflect a sense of reverence or awe in the face of such a profound and bewildering discovery. As "the disciple whom Jesus loved" ([John 21:7](/john/21-7 "The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved")), John may have felt a deep spiritual sensitivity or a reverent pause before entering such a sacred and momentous space. It also serves as a literary device to build suspense and highlight the contrast with Peter's more impulsive personality, as Peter immediately enters in [John 20:6](/john/20-6 "Peter Enters the Tomb"). This difference in their reactions underscores their individual temperaments while both ultimately arrive at the same conclusion of belief in [John 20:8](/john/20-8 "John Believes Upon Seeing").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 20:5, though seemingly a simple observation, is profoundly Christ-centered, providing the initial visual evidence of the resurrected Christ's victory over death. The empty tomb, with its undisturbed grave clothes, serves as a powerful, silent witness to the truth of Jesus' words that He would rise again ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")). This scene foreshadows the ultimate triumph of life over death, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies of a Messiah who would conquer the grave ([Psalm 16:10](/psalms/16-10 "You will not abandon my soul to Sheol")). Jesus' resurrection, evidenced by the empty tomb and the discarded grave clothes, is the cornerstone of Christian faith, validating His claims to be the Son of God and the source of eternal life ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Declared Son of God by Resurrection")). The very absence of His body, yet the orderly presence of the grave clothes, speaks volumes about a divine, not human, act—a transformation that leaves behind the trappings of mortality. This event is the guarantee of our own future resurrection and the promise that through Christ, death has lost its sting ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "Death Swallowed Up in Victory")). John's initial, cautious glimpse into the tomb is thus a foundational moment in the unfolding narrative of Christ's glorious and triumphant resurrection, upon which all Christian hope is built.

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

John 19:40

Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

John 20:11

¶ But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, [and looked] into the sepulchre,

John 11:44

And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.