Devine Scripture

John 20:11

What does John 20:11 mean?

A plain-English look at John 20:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 20:11 means

While Peter and John departed, Mary Magdalene remained at the tomb, overwhelmed by grief and tears. Her deep sorrow over the missing body compelled her to stoop and peer into the tomb once more, illustrating her unwavering devotion and desperate search for Jesus. This persistent grief, despite the disciples' departure, sets the scene for a profound, personal encounter that will transform her sorrow into the first joyful proclamation of the resurrection.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But Mary was standing without at the tomb weeping: so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But Mary was standing without at the tomb weeping: so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But Mary was still there outside the hole in the rock, weeping; and while she was weeping and looking into the hole,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and Mary was standing near the tomb, weeping without; as she was weeping, then, she stooped down to the tomb, and beholdeth two messengers in white, sitting,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But Mary stood at the sepulchre without, weeping. Now as she was weeping, she stooped down and looked into the sepulchre,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But Mary stood at the tomb weeping without. As therefore she wept, she stooped down into the tomb,

Context

This verse directly contrasts with the disciples' departure in verse 10, highlighting Mary Magdalene's continued presence and distress at the tomb. Her sustained grief and decision to look into the tomb again prepares the way for a supernatural encounter. This emotional scene creates a poignant backdrop for the revelation of the angels and, ultimately, Jesus himself.

v.10So the disciples went away again unto their own home.

v.11This passage

v.12and she beholdeth two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

Cross references

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

  • John 20:5

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

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