John 20:3-10 - Peter and John at the Tomb of Jesus

John 20:3-10

3 So Peter and the other disciple went forth, and they were going to the tomb. 4 The two were running together; and the other disciple ran ahead faster than Peter and came to the tomb first; 5 and stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings lying there; but he did not go in. 6 And so Simon Peter also came, following him, and entered the tomb; and he saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7 and the face-cloth which had been on His head, not lying with the linen wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 So the other disciple who had first come to the tomb then also entered, and he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. 10 So the disciples went away again to their own homes.

Message: Peter and John at the Tomb of Jesus

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: This is a follow up it seems to Mary letting folks know that Jesus was not in the grave. It seems apparent from other passages that Mary wasn't alone, but upon hearing the disciples ran (Peter and John) ran to the tomb to see that the linens that Nicodemus and Joseph had wrapped around Jesus for burial were there but Jesus was not. John makes a note that they saw him gone, but did not understand or take into account yet the scripture prophecy or teaching that he would rise from the dead. 

Graverobbers was not a possibility because they would not have taken the time time to leave the linen nor as it states wrap the linen or roll it up. Plus, the linens were expensive and would have been taken. This is the same John here that authored this gospel and he remarks something in verse 8 that is interesting - "he saw and believed." And then mentions the scripture not yet fulfilled of Jesus' resurrection. But John believed. So John believed that Jesus was alive, but did not yet understand what this meant in relation to the resurrection. 

Of this story, Luke only mentions a visit by Peter. John was younger than Peter and this was the reason he probably outran Peter. John arriving first, doesn't go in and he is restrained by fear and awaits his friend to arrive. Peter though goes straight in, being the bolder one. 

Summary: Peter and John run to the tomb to see what Mary had stated that Jesus was in fact not present, the linens there though. 

Promise: When we trust in Christ, we more and more understand that He is proclaimed on every page of the Bible.

Prayer: O God, it is great to slowly read this account of the discovery of you, not being in the grave, but rising from the dead. Again, I pray that more and more people would understand these truths and behold you as the living God. 

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