Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter's entry into the tomb isn't just about his impulsiveness; the Greek word used for his seeing emphasizes a deliberate, detailed observation, unlike John's quick glance. This careful gaze allowed Peter to notice the napkin, folded separately, suggesting a deliberate arrangement rather than a hasty departure.
Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there,
English Standard Version (ESV)
While John the disciple has paused at the empty tomb, gazing in awe, the ever-impulsive Peter rushes in. He doesn't just glance; he takes a thorough look, noticing the carefully laid-out burial cloths and the separate, neatly folded headcloth. This detail suggests that Jesus' departure from the tomb wasn't chaotic or hurried, but deliberate and orderly, hinting at a profound, even angelic, involvement in His resurrection.
John got to the tomb first, but it was Peter who rushed in. What does this say about their personalities and their reactions to the impossible?
The Gospels consistently paint a picture of Peter's energetic and often impulsive nature. While John paused in quiet awe, Peter, true to form, couldn't wait. He “went into the tomb” immediately.
This wasn't just a quick glance. The Greek word used for Peter seeing the linen cloths suggests a more detailed observation than John’s initial look. Peter didn't just see them; he beheld them, taking in the scene with a closer, more deliberate gaze. This shows his characteristic boldness and his desire to get to the heart of the matter, even in the face of such profound mystery.
The empty tomb wasn't a chaotic mess. What the disciples saw – or rather, how they saw it – spoke volumes about what happened.
When Peter looked closely, he didn't just see discarded burial clothes. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and importantly, the napkin that had been around Jesus' head was folded up and placed by itself.
This orderly arrangement is key. It wasn't the scene of a body hastily snatched away. Instead, it suggested a deliberate, calm, and controlled departure. The clean folding of the grave clothes points to a resurrection that was not a violent escape, but a majestic stepping out of death, perhaps even with angelic assistance.
This detail offered tangible proof to Peter (and later to us) that Jesus was not stolen, nor did he merely faint. The state of the grave clothes was a silent, powerful testimony to the triumphant power of the Resurrection.
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Understand the original words
mnēmeion · Greek Noun
A hollow chamber or cave used for burying the dead. In a biblical context, it is often associated with the temporary cessation of life and the corruption of the body, making the empty tomb a powerful witness to the resurrection.
othonion · Greek Noun
Specifically refers to the strips of cloth used to wrap a body for burial. In the context of the resurrection, their arrangement provides physical evidence that the body was not stolen but had passed through them or left them behind in an orderly fashion.
Peter's impulsive entry and careful observation of the neatly arranged burial cloths highlight his characteristic boldness and the dawning realization that Jesus' resurrection was orderly and intentional, not a hurried theft.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Crucifixion and Burial
Jesus is crucified and then buried in a tomb belonging to Joseph of Arimathea, wrapped in linen cloths.
c. AD 30, Sunday morning— this verse
Discovery of the Empty Tomb
Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John arrive at the tomb on Sunday morning to find it empty, with the linen cloths and napkin laid neatly aside.
c. AD 30 - AD 33
Post-Resurrection Appearances
Jesus appears to his disciples and followers over a period of forty days, confirming his resurrection.
c. AD 33
The Ascension of Jesus
Jesus ascends into heaven in the presence of his disciples, empowering them to spread the gospel.
This passage describes Peter's initial reaction to the empty tomb, noting he ran there and observed the cloths, paralleling his impulsive nature and keen observation seen in John 20:6.
John 20:7This verse immediately follows, detailing Peter's observation of the napkin folded separately, highlighting the deliberate arrangement that pointed to a peaceful departure, not a theft.
Acts 1:18-19Peter's later sermon describes the empty tomb, linking the physical evidence he saw (the cloths) to the reality of Christ's resurrection and ascension.
1 Corinthians 15:4This foundational statement of faith mentions Christ being buried and raised on the third day, which the careful arrangement of the burial cloths observed by Peter would have powerfully affirmed.
ellicottJohn 20:6: "Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,"
(6) And went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie. —Better, . . . beholdeth the linen clothes lie. The word is not the same as that in John 20:5 , but expresses the close observation of the linen clothes by St. Peter, while St. John did but see them from without.
cambridgeJohn 20:6: "Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,"
6 . Then cometh , &c.] Better, Simon Peter therefore also cometh ; because S. John has remained standing there in awe and meditation. S. Peter with his natural impulsiveness goes in at once. Both Apostles act characteristically. seeth ] Or, beholdeth ( theôrei ). He takes a complete survey, and hence sees the ‘napkin,’ which S. John in his short look had not observed.
Peter's entry into the tomb isn't just about his impulsiveness; the Greek word used for his seeing emphasizes a deliberate, detailed observation, unlike John's quick glance. This careful gaze allowed Peter to notice the napkin, folded separately, suggesting a deliberate arrangement rather than a hasty departure.
While John the disciple has paused at the empty tomb, gazing in awe, the ever-impulsive Peter rushes in. He doesn't just glance; he takes a thorough look, noticing the carefully laid-out burial cloths and the separate, neatly folded headcloth. This detail suggests that Jesus' departure from the tomb wasn't chaotic or hurried, but deliberate and orderly, hinting at a profound, even angelic, involvement in His resurrection.
While John the disciple has paused at the empty tomb, gazing in awe, the ever-impulsive Peter rushes in. He doesn't just glance; he takes a thorough look, noticing the carefully laid-out burial cloths and the separate, neatly folded headcloth. This detail suggests that Jesus' departure from the tomb wasn't chaotic or hurried, but deliberate and orderly, hinting at a profound, even angelic, involvement in His resurrection.
"Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there," — Peter's entry into the tomb isn't just about his impulsiveness; the Greek word used for his seeing emphasizes a deliberate, detailed observation, unlike John's quick glance. This careful gaze allowed…
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Last reviewed October 2026