Devine Scripture

Luke 24:12

What does Luke 24:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 24:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 24:12 means

Peter runs to the tomb, stoops to look in, and sees the linen cloths by themselves. He leaves, wondering at what has happened. His action shows both urgency and caution: he does not yet see Jesus, but he confronts the evidence personally. The separated grave cloths suggest order, not theft or haste. Peter’s marveling marks a transition from disbelief to openness. He has not yet embraced the full meaning, but he senses that something greater than rumor is at work. This honest, unsettled amazement is often the threshold God uses to lead seekers into convinced faith.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But Peter arose, and ran unto the tomb; and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths by themselves; and he departed to his home, wondering at that which was come to pass.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But Peter arose, and ran unto the tomb; and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths by themselves; and he departed to his home, wondering at that which was come to pass.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But Peter got up and went to the place where the body had been put, and looking in he saw nothing but the linen cloths, and he went to his house full of wonder at what had taken place.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Peter having risen, did run to the tomb, and having stooped down he seeth the linen clothes lying alone, and he went away to his own home, wondering at that which was come to pass.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But Peter rising up, ran to the sepulchre and, stooping down, he saw the linen cloths laid by themselves: and went away wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But Peter, rising up, ran to the sepulchre, and stooping down he sees the linen clothes lying there alone, and went away home, wondering at what had happened.

Context

In response to the apostles’ disbelief (v. 11), Peter’s visit to the tomb (v. 12) provides independent verification of the women’s report. The detail about the linen cloths adds weight to the evidence. However, the narrative does not linger—Peter departs in wonder, leaving the story poised for further clarification. Immediately, Luke shifts to the road to Emmaus (vv. 13–35), where Jesus Himself will interpret the Scriptures and make Himself known. Peter’s wonder thus functions as a bridge from empty-tomb evidence to the living Lord’s self-revelation.

v.11And these words appeared in their sight as idle talk; and they disbelieved them.

v.12This passage

v.13And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was threescore furlongs from Jerusalem.

Cross references

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

  • John 20:3

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

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Luke 24

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Luke 24.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Luke 24:12.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary