Devine Scripture

John 20:8

What does John 20:8 mean?

A plain-English look at John 20:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 20:8 means

Following Peter's examination, the "other disciple" (John), who had arrived first but initially only peered in, then entered the tomb. Upon seeing the orderly arrangement of the burial cloths, particularly the neatly folded napkin, he immediately understood and believed. This belief wasn't based on seeing Jesus resurrected, but on the compelling physical evidence in the empty tomb, which eloquently testified to a supernatural departure rather than a theft. This moment marks a pivotal shift from confusion to dawning faith.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Then entered in therefore the other disciple also, who came first to the tomb, and he saw, and believed.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Then entered in therefore the other disciple also, who came first to the tomb, and he saw, and believed.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then the other disciple who came there first went in; and he saw and belief came to him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

then, therefore, entered also the other disciple who came first unto the tomb, and he saw, and did believe;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Then that other disciple also went in, who came first to the sepulchre: and he saw and believed.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Then entered in therefore the other disciple also who came first to the tomb, and he saw and believed;

Context

This verse marks a turning point, building directly on Peter's detailed observation of the napkin in verse 7. John's entrance and subsequent belief act as a crucial confirmation of the resurrection evidence. His faith, sparked by the empty tomb's testimony, lays the groundwork for the disciples' eventual understanding of Scripture regarding Jesus' rising from the dead.

v.7and the napkin, that was upon his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself.

v.8This passage

v.9For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

Cross references

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

  • John 20:4

    And they ran both together: and the other disciple outran Peter, and came first to the tomb;

  • John 1:50

    Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee underneath the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.

  • John 20:25

    The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.

  • John 20:29

    Jesus saith unto him, Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

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