John 20:6

Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,

Then {G3767} cometh {G2064} Simon {G4613} Peter {G4074} following {G190} him {G846}, and {G2532} went {G1525} into {G1519} the sepulchre {G3419}, and {G2532} seeth {G2334} the linen clothes {G3608} lie {G2749},

Then, following him, Shim‘on Kefa arrived, entered the tomb and saw the burial-sheets lying there,

Simon Peter arrived just after him. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there.

Simon Peter therefore also cometh, following him, and entered into the tomb; and he beholdeth the linen cloths lying,

Context

John 20:6 is a pivotal moment in the resurrection narrative, immediately following Mary Magdalene's discovery of the empty tomb and her report to Simon Peter and "the other disciple" (John). Having raced to the tomb, the younger disciple (John) arrived first, stooping to look in but not entering (John 20:5). This verse describes Peter's characteristic bold and direct action upon arriving.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Peter's Impulsiveness and Zeal: True to his nature, Simon Peter, though outrun, does not hesitate to enter the sepulchre, demonstrating his eagerness and perhaps his desire for direct verification. This reflects his passionate personality, which often led him to act first.
  • Eyewitness Verification: Peter's entry into the tomb marks the first direct eyewitness account by a leading apostle of the specific details within the empty tomb. His observation of the linen clothes is crucial evidence.
  • The State of the Grave Clothes: The detail that Peter "seeth the linen clothes lie" is highly significant. It implies the grave clothes were not hastily unwrapped or stolen, but rather lay as if the body had passed through or out of them, remaining in their original form without the body inside. This detail sets the stage for the next verse, where the separate napkin is noted, providing compelling evidence against a simple theft.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "linen clothes" is othonia (ὀθόνια), which refers to strips of linen or bandages used for wrapping a body, rather than a single shroud. The verb "lie" is keimena (κείμενα), indicating they were laid down or left lying. This specific phrasing suggests an undisturbed arrangement, not a chaotic scene that would result from a body being stolen or forcibly removed. The orderly state of the grave clothes serves as a subtle yet powerful piece of evidence for the supernatural nature of Christ's resurrection.

Related Scriptures

  • The full implication of Peter's observation, along with John's subsequent entry and belief, is found in John 20:7-8.
  • The preparation of Jesus' body with these linen clothes is described in John 19:40.
  • This account is also paralleled in Luke 24:12, where Peter also finds the linen clothes by themselves.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us of the importance of seeking truth and verifying facts, even in matters of faith. Peter's direct observation of the empty tomb and the undisturbed grave clothes provided tangible evidence that began to transform his understanding from confusion to conviction. For believers today, the historical evidence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, including the empty tomb and the unique state of the grave clothes, remains a cornerstone of Christian faith, inviting us to believe not just based on hearsay but on verifiable facts.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 21:15

    ¶ So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

  • John 21:17

    He saith unto him the third time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

  • Luke 22:31

    And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired [to have] you, that he may sift [you] as wheat:

  • Luke 22:32

    But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

  • John 18:25

    And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also [one] of his disciples? He denied [it], and said, I am not.

  • John 18:27

    Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.

  • John 21:7

    Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt [his] fisher's coat [unto him], (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

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