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Scripture • World English Bible
John 20:1–10
1Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went early, while it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.
2Therefore she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have laid him!”
3Therefore Peter and the other disciple went out, and they went toward the tomb.
4They both ran together. The other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first.
5Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he didn’t enter in.
6Then Simon Peter came, following him, and entered into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying,
7and the cloth that had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself.
8So then the other disciple who came first to the tomb also entered in, and he saw and believed.
9For as yet they didn’t know the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
10So the disciples went away again to their own homes.
World English Bible (WEB) • Public Domain
Reflection
Mary goes to the tomb while it is still dark—grief and fear shaping every step. What she finds is not the end she expected: the stone is rolled away and the place that held Jesus is empty. That emptiness forces a sequence of responses. Mary runs to tell Peter and the disciple Jesus loved. Peter and the other disciple run to see for themselves. One looks in. The other goes inside and notices details: linen wrappings left folded, the head cloth placed apart. Seeing, the beloved disciple believes, though even he and Peter don’t yet understand the Scriptures that explain why this must happen.
Three things stand out: the reality of absence, the attentive observation, and the meeting of evidence and Scripture. The empty tomb is not a mere absence of a body; it is a sign pointing beyond what the eye first sees. The way the cloths are arranged speaks of a deliberate departure—not a hurried theft. The disciples’ different reactions teach us that faith and understanding often come in stages. For Mary, grief first; for Peter, investigation; for the beloved disciple, belief that grows out of careful looking.
John reminds us that belief is not blind. God provides signs that invite honest attention. Yet the full meaning of those signs often requires the light of God’s Word. The disciples “didn’t yet know the Scripture” about the necessity of the resurrection. Their sight led to belief, and Scripture would bring understanding. That pattern still holds: God meets our sorrow and doubt with reality (the empty tomb), invites our attention (look closely at the facts and at Jesus’ promises), and leads us into Scripture so we can rightly interpret what we see.
This passage brings hope for anyone who faces loss, confusion, or doubt. The tomb that once seemed a final answer is now an invitation to trust a risen Lord who has conquered death. The practical effect of the resurrection is not merely theological; it changes how we live—redeeming sorrow, empowering witness, and strengthening courage for the days ahead.
So come with honest emotions. Run when necessary—bring your questions to faithful companions. Look closely at the evidence God gives and let Scripture explain its meaning. And let the truth of the empty tomb shape your life: live with the confidence that death is not the last word, that Jesus’ victory changes the present and the future.
Putting Faith Into Action
- When doubts or grief press in, bring them to Scripture and to a trusted believer this week—share what you feel and ask them to read resurrection passages with you.
- Let the reality of the resurrection shape one practical choice: forgive someone, give time to serve, or change a priority you’d hide behind fear—act as one who lives for eternal things.
- Keep a simple 'evidence journal': write brief notes of how God has shown himself—answered prayers, transformed relationships, Scripture speaking—and review them when faith feels weak.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you that the tomb is empty and that death did not have the final word. Meet us in our darkness, give us eyes to see the signs you provide, and teach us your Word so we may believe and live boldly. Help us bring our doubts and grief to faithful companions and to you. Fill us with hope and courage to serve and witness in the power of your resurrection. Amen.
Memory Verse
John 20:1 — Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went early, while it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. (WEB)
“Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went early, while it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.”
Bible Context
Read all of John 20
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Bible Context
Read all of John 20
John 20
World English Bible • WEB
1Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went early, while it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.
2Therefore she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have laid him!”
3Therefore Peter and the other disciple went out, and they went toward the tomb.
4They both ran together. The other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first.
5Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he didn’t enter in.
6Then Simon Peter came, following him, and entered into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying,
7and the cloth that had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself.
8So then the other disciple who came first to the tomb also entered in, and he saw and believed.
9For as yet they didn’t know the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
10So the disciples went away again to their own homes.
11But Mary was standing outside at the tomb weeping. So as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb,
12and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13They asked her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”
14When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, and didn’t know that it was Jesus.
15Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?”
16Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
17Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold me, for I haven’t yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”
18Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her.
19When therefore it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the middle and said to them, “Peace be to you.”
20When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad when they saw the Lord.
21Jesus therefore said to them again, “Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.”
22When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit!
23If you forgive anyone’s sins, they have been forgiven them. If you retain anyone’s sins, they have been retained.”
24But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, wasn’t with them when Jesus came.
25The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord!”
26After eight days, again his disciples were inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being locked, and stood in the middle, and said, “Peace be to you.”
27Then he said to Thomas, “Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.”
28Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
29Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
30Therefore Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book;
31but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
World English Bible (WEB) • Public Domain
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