Devine Scripture

John 20:1

What does John 20:1 mean?

A plain-English look at John 20:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 20:1 means

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene arrived at Jesus' tomb before dawn and discovered that the large stone covering the entrance had been moved. Her immediate assumption was not that Jesus had risen, but that His body had been removed. This early morning visit highlights her devotion and grief, as she was among the first to witness the monumental event of the open tomb, setting the stage for the unfolding revelation of the resurrection. Her testimony marks the beginning of the disciples' understanding of what truly happened.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now on the firstdayof the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, while it was yet dark, unto the tomb, and seeth the stone taken away from the tomb.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now on the firstdayof the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, while it was yet dark, unto the tomb, and seeth the stone taken away from the tomb.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now on the first day of the week, very early, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the place and saw that the stone had been taken away from it.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And on the first of the sabbaths, Mary the Magdalene doth come early (there being yet darkness) to the tomb, and she seeth the stone having been taken away out of the tomb,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalen cometh early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre: and she saw the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And on the first [day] of the week Mary of Magdala comes in early morn to the tomb, while it was still dark, and sees the stone taken away from the tomb.

Context

This verse opens the climactic chapter of John's Gospel, starting the narrative of the resurrection. It transitions directly from the burial of Jesus described in the previous chapter. Mary Magdalene's discovery of the open tomb initiates a chain of events that will lead to the disciples' personal encounters with the risen Christ, framing the initial confusion and subsequent joy of the resurrection.

v.1This passage

v.2She runneth therefore, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we know not where they have laid him.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 16:9

    Now when he was risen early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.

  • Mark 15:46

    And he bought a linen cloth, and taking him down, wound him in the linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of a rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.

  • John 19:25

    These things therefore the soldiers did. But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

  • Matthew 27:64

    Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest haply his disciples come and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: and the last error will be worse than the first.

  • Mark 16:1

    And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint him.

  • 1 Corinthians 16:2

    Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.

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