John 20:1-10
The Tomb Is Empty
Read the passage
1Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.
2So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,” she said, “and we do not know where they have put Him!”
3Then Peter and the other disciple set out for the tomb.
4The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
5He bent down and looked in at the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.
6Simon Peter arrived just after him. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there.
7The cloth that had been around Jesus’ head was rolled up, lying separate from the linen cloths.
8Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in. And he saw and believed.
9For they still did not understand from the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.
10Then the disciples returned to their homes.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
While it is still dark on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb and sees that the stone has been removed. She runs to Peter and the other disciple. She believes someone has taken the Lord's body away, and she does not know where it is.
The disciples run to the tomb. The other disciple arrives first and looks inside. Peter goes in and sees the linen cloths, with the cloth from Jesus' head rolled up separately. The other disciple then enters too. John says that he sees and believes.
John also says they do not yet understand from Scripture that Jesus must rise from the dead. Belief and fuller understanding have not arrived all at once. The account does not spell out everything the disciple understood at this moment; it will go on to describe encounters with the risen Jesus.
Mary's first explanation was that someone had moved the body. The disciples find the grave clothes left behind. The events are moving beyond the explanation Mary brought them. An empty tomb is before them, and more remains to be understood.
Questions
1 What does Mary see, and what explanation does she give the disciples?
AnswerShe sees that the stone has been removed. She tells them that someone has taken the Lord out of the tomb and that they do not know where He is.
2 What does Peter see inside the tomb?
AnswerHe sees the linen cloths lying there. The cloth that had been around Jesus' head is rolled up separately.
3 What does John say about the other disciple's response and their understanding?
AnswerThe other disciple sees and believes. John adds that they still do not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.
4 What can we do when a Bible passage raises questions we cannot yet answer?
AnswerWe can distinguish what it tells us from what we are assuming, then keep reading. Here the disciples' visit to the tomb is followed by encounters that make the news of Jesus' resurrection clearer.
What This Means for Us
Mary's distress is understandable, but her explanation is not the whole story. That distinction can help us read carefully: what have we been told, and what conclusion have we added?
At home, let an unanswered question lead to more attention to Scripture. In this case, read on in John 20 to hear how Mary and the disciples encounter Jesus. We need the story John gives us, rather than a meaning invented for every fold of the grave clothes.
The resurrection gives us hope grounded in God's action. We can bring confusion and sorrow to Him while we learn more about what He has done. Understanding may grow gradually without making the risen Jesus any less real.
Prayer
Father, thank You for raising Jesus from the dead. Give us patience to attend to the testimony You have given. Help us ask honest questions and let our understanding grow as we listen to Your word. Amen.