Devine Scripture

John 20:2

What does John 20:2 mean?

A plain-English look at John 20:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 20:2 means

Mary Magdalene, deeply distressed by the missing body, immediately ran to inform Simon Peter and the "other disciple whom Jesus loved" (traditionally understood as John himself). Her urgent declaration, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we know not where they have laid him," reveals her current assumption that the body had been stolen or moved, not resurrected. Her report underscores the initial bewilderment and lack of understanding among Jesus' closest followers regarding the prophecy of His rising from the dead.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

She 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then she runneth, 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 sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

She 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then she went running to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple who was loved by Jesus, and said to them, They have taken away the Lord out of the place of the dead and we have no knowledge where they have put him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

she runneth, therefore, and cometh unto Simon Peter, and unto the other disciple whom Jesus was loving, and saith to them, `They took away the Lord out of the tomb, and we have not known where they laid him.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

She ran therefore and cometh to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved and saith to them: They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre: and we know not where they have laid him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

She runs therefore and comes to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, to whom Jesus was attached, and says to them, They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we know not where they have laid him.

Context

Following her discovery of the empty tomb in verse 1, Mary Magdalene's response here is to seek out the leading disciples. This act of reporting directly sets the next scene in motion, as Peter and John will now be drawn into the mystery. Her words convey the initial human rationalization of the missing body, preparing for the dramatic revelation of the resurrection.

v.1Now 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.

v.2This passage

v.3Peter therefore went forth, and the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 27:63

    saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said while he was yet alive, After three days I rise again.

  • John 20:13

    And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

  • John 13:23

    There was at the table reclining in Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.

  • John 20:15

    Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou hast borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

  • John 21:20

    Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; who also leaned back on his breast at the supper, and said, Lord, who is he that betrayeth thee?

  • John 20:9

    For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

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