Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easily missed here is the subtle contrast between seeing and believing. John sees the empty tomb and the neatly folded grave clothes, and then he believes, but not necessarily in the resurrection yet. The text implies his belief is that Jesus' body wasn't stolen, a crucial step before the full realization of the resurrection dawns, as the following verse will highlight.
Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter, who had rushed to the tomb and looked inside, now steps back, allowing John to enter. John, who had arrived at the tomb first but hesitated, now goes in and sees the empty grave cloths, and in that moment, he believes that Jesus has risen. This conviction solidifies his faith, even though the disciples still didn't fully grasp the Scriptures about the resurrection.
Two disciples rushed to the empty tomb. One went in first, the other followed. What made the second disciple's experience so pivotal?
This disciple, identified as "the other disciple" and the "one whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23, 19:26), shows a unique faith journey here.
A Unique Perspective
This moment highlights how faith isn't always instantaneous or identical for everyone. It often grows from careful observation and internal conviction.
He arrived first, yet entered second. This seemingly small detail reveals something profound about humility and divine timing.
The narrative subtly contrasts the disciples' physical actions with their spiritual realization.
Ask a follow-up
Arriving First, Entering Second
This sequence underscores a beautiful paradox: the one who arrived first spiritually entered second, allowing Peter's observation to precede his own. It speaks to a humility and a recognition of God's order, even in moments of high emotion and confusion. It mirrors Jesus' own teaching: 'the first will be last, and the last will be first' (Mark 10:31).
He saw the empty tomb, but what exactly did he believe? The text hints at a faith that transcended mere observation.
The disciple's belief wasn't just about seeing an empty space; it was about understanding its divine significance.
More Than an Empty Tomb
Understand the original words
pisteuō · Greek Verb
The act of placing faith in, relying upon, or being convinced of the truth. Here, it denotes the transition from confusion or mourning to the recognition of the reality of Jesus' resurrection.
This moment captures a crucial step in the disciples' journey from confusion to faith after Jesus' resurrection. John's belief isn't the final understanding, but a vital personal experience of seeing the evidence and trusting what it implied, even before fully grasping the resurrection from Scripture.
c. AD 30
Crucifixion and Burial of Jesus
Jesus was crucified and buried in a tomb belonging to Joseph of Arimathea.
c. AD 30 (Sunday morning)
Empty Tomb Discovered
Women, including Mary Magdalene, arrive at the tomb to find it open and empty. Mary Magdalene reports this to Peter and the 'other disciple' (John).
c. AD 30 (Sunday morning)
Peter and John Arrive at the Tomb
Peter and the other disciple (John) race to the tomb. John arrives first but waits for Peter.
c. AD 30 (Sunday morning)
Peter Enters the Tomb
Peter enters the empty tomb and observes the linen cloths and the folded napkin.
c. AD 30 (Sunday morning)— this verse
John Enters the Tomb and Believes
John follows Peter into the tomb, sees the orderly state of the grave clothes, and believes. This marks a turning point in his understanding, though he and the others still grapple with the full meaning of Jesus' resurrection.
c. AD 30 (Sunday afternoon)
Jesus Appears to Disciples
Jesus reveals himself to his disciples, including John and Peter, on the road to Emmaus (two disciples) and later in Jerusalem.
c. AD 30-33
Post-Resurrection Ministry and Ascension
Jesus continues to appear to his followers over 40 days, instructing them before his ascension. This period solidifies their belief and commissions them.
This passage describes Peter's reaction to the empty tomb, noting he 'went home wondering', which provides a contrasting but related perspective to John's immediate belief upon seeing the evidence.
John 2:11This verse speaks of Jesus performing His first sign at Cana, which caused His disciples to believe, showing a progression in their understanding and faith that is echoed in John's belief at the empty tomb.
John 20:29Jesus directly addresses the blessing for those who believe without seeing, which throws John's experience of seeing and believing into sharp relief, highlighting the tangible evidence that spurred his faith.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4This passage summarizes the core gospel message of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, which is the truth John ultimately believed upon seeing the empty tomb and its orderly grave clothes.
vincentJohn 20:8: "Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed."
BelievedThis word is explained by what follows. He believed (at length) that Jesus was risen; for up to this time (οὐδέπω) he, with his fellow-disciple (plural, ᾔδεισαν) knew not, etc. The singular number, he believed, as Meyer profoundly remarks, "only satisfies the never-to-be-forgotten personal experience of that moment, though it does not exclude the contemporaneous faith of…
jfbJohn 20:8: "Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed."
- Then went in … that other disciple which came first to the sepulchre—The repetition of this, in connection with his not having gone in till after Peter, seems to show that at the moment of penning these words the advantage which each of these loving disciples had of the other was present to his mind.and he saw and believed—Probably he means, though he does not say, that he believe…
What's easily missed here is the subtle contrast between seeing and believing. John sees the empty tomb and the neatly folded grave clothes, and then he believes, but not necessarily in the resurrection yet. The text implies his belief is that Jesus' body wasn't stolen, a crucial step before the full realization of the resurrection dawns, as the following verse will highlight.
Peter, who had rushed to the tomb and looked inside, now steps back, allowing John to enter. John, who had arrived at the tomb first but hesitated, now goes in and sees the empty grave cloths, and in that moment, he believes that Jesus has risen. This conviction solidifies his faith, even though the disciples still didn't fully grasp the Scriptures about the resurrection.
Peter, who had rushed to the tomb and looked inside, now steps back, allowing John to enter. John, who had arrived at the tomb first but hesitated, now goes in and sees the empty grave cloths, and in that moment, he believes that Jesus has risen. This conviction solidifies his faith, even though the disciples still didn't fully grasp the Scriptures about the resurrection.
"Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;" — What's easily missed here is the subtle contrast between seeing and believing. John sees the empty tomb and the neatly folded grave clothes, and then he believes, but not necessarily in the res…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026