Joh 20:2-18 | RWP | e4.org | Runneth ( τρεχε ). Vivid dramatic present indicative of τρεχω . John deals only with Mary Magdalene. She left the tomb at once before the rest and without seeing the angels as told in the Synoptics ( ; ; ). Luke ( ) does not distinguish between the separate report of Mary Magdalene and that of the other women. To Simon Peter ( προς Σιμωνα Πετρον ). Full name as usual in John and back with John and the other disciples. The association of Peter and the other disciple in is like that between Peter and John in . Loved ( εφιλε ). Imperfect of φιλεω for which see ; and for distinction from αγαπαω see ; ; , , . They have taken away ( ηραν ). First aorist active indicative of αιρω , indefinite plural. We know not ( ουκ οιδαμεν ). Mary associates the other women with her in her ignorance. For εθηκαν (have laid) see . Mary fears a grave robbery. She has no idea of the resurrection of Jesus.

‏ John 20:2-18

Runneth ( τρεχε ). Vivid dramatic present indicative of τρεχω. John deals only with Mary Magdalene. She left the tomb at once before the rest and without seeing the angels as told in the Synoptics (Mr 16:2-8; Mt 28:5-8; Lu 24:1-8). Luke (Lu 24:9-12) does not distinguish between the separate report of Mary Magdalene and that of the other women.

To Simon Peter ( προς Σιμωνα Πετρον ). Full name as usual in John and back with John and the other disciples. The association of Peter and the other disciple in Joh 18-21 is like that between Peter and John in Ac 1-5.

Loved ( εφιλε ). Imperfect of φιλεω for which see 5:20; 11:3 and for distinction from αγαπαω see 11:5; 13:23; 21:7, 15, 17.

They have taken away ( ηραν ). First aorist active indicative of αιρω, indefinite plural.

We know not ( ουκ οιδαμεν ). Mary associates the other women with her in her ignorance. For εθηκαν (have laid) see 19:42. Mary fears a grave robbery. She has no idea of the resurrection of Jesus.

They went ( ηρχοντο ). Imperfect middle picturing the scene, "they were going." The two started instantly ( εξηλθεν, aorist active indicative).

They both ( ο δυο ). "The two" (Peter and the other disciple whom Jesus loved).

Ran together ( ετρεχον ομου ). Imperfect active of τρεχω. It was a race in eagerness to reach the tomb of Jesus.

Outran Peter ( προεδραμεν ταχειον του Πετρου ). Second aorist active indicative of προτρεχω, old verb, in N.T. only here and Lu 19:4, to run on before (ahead). "He ran ahead more swiftly (see Joh 13:27) than Peter" (ablative case after comparative adverb ταχειον, Koine for older θασσον ).

First ( πρωτος ). Predicative nominative (not adverb προτον ) and superlative used where only two involved. John won the race.

Stooping and looking in ( παρακυψας ). Originally to stoop and look, but in the LXX (Ge 26:8; Jud 5:28; 1Ki 6:4, etc.) and the papyri rather just to peep in and so Field (Ot. Norv.) urges here. See also verse 11; Lu 24:12 (the verse bracketed by Westcott and Hort). For οθονια (linen cloth) see Joh 19:40.

Lying ( κειμενα ). Present middle participle of κειμα, predicative accusative. John notices this fact at once. If the body had been removed, these clothes would have gone also. John's timid nature made him pause (yet, μεντο, however).

Entered and beholdeth ( εισηλθεν κα θεωρε ). Aorist active and present active indicative. Peter impulsively went on in and beholds ( θεωρε, vivid term again, but of careful notice, θεωρεω, not a mere glance βλεπω such as John gave in verse 5).

The napkin ( το σουδαριον ). Already in 11:44 which see. This napkin for the head was in a separate place.

Rolled up ( εντετυλιγμενον ). Perfect passive participle, predicate accusative like κειμενον, from εντυλισσω, late verb, to wrap in, to roll up, already in Mt 27:59; Lu 23:53. It was arranged in an orderly fashion. There was no haste.

By itself ( χωρις ). Old adverb, "apart," "separately."

Then therefore ( τοτε ουν ). After Peter in time and influenced by the boldness of Peter.

And he saw and believed ( κα ειδεν κα επιστευσεν ). Both aorist active indicative (second and first). Peter saw more after he entered than John did in his first glance, but John saw into the meaning of it all better than Peter. Peter had more sight, John more insight. John was the first to believe that Jesus was risen from the tomb even before he saw him. According to Lu 24:12 Peter went away "wondering" still. The Sinaitic Syriac and 69 and 124 wrongly read here "they believed." John was evidently proud to be able to record this great moment when he believed without seeing in contrast to Thomas (20:29). Peter and John did not see the angels.

For ( γαρ ). Explanatory use of γαρ.

The Scripture ( την γραφην ). Probably Ps 16:10. Jesus had repeatedly foretold his resurrection, but that was all forgotten in the great sorrow on their hearts. Only the chief priests and Pharisees recalled the words of Jesus (Mt 27:62ff.).

Must ( δε ). For this use of δε concerning Christ's death and resurrection see Mr 8:31; Mt 26:54; Lu 9:22; 17:25; 22:37; 24:7, 26, 44; Joh 3:14; 12:34; Ac 1:16. Jesus had put emphasis on both the fact and the necessity of his resurrection which the disciples slowly perceived.

Unto their own home ( προς αυτους ). "To themselves." Luke (Lu 24:12) has προς αυτον about Peter ("to his home"). This use of the reflective pronoun for home (literally, "to themselves"), like the French chez eux, occurs in Josephus (Ant. VII. 4, 6). John had taken the mother of Jesus to his home (19:27) and so he now hurried home to tell her the glorious news as he believed.

Was standing ( ιστηκε ). Past perfect of ιστημ as imperfect as in 19:25.

At the tomb ( προς τω μνημειω ). Προς (in front of) with locative while παρα (by the side of) with locative in 19:25. Pathetic and common picture of a woman weeping by the tomb. See 11:31.

As she wept ( ως εκλαιεν ). Imperfect, "as she was weeping."

She stooped and looked ( παρεκυψεν ). Aorist active indicative of παρακυπτω for which see verse 5. Mary "peeped into" the tomb, but did not enter.

Beholdeth ( θεωρε ). Vivid historical present again as in verses 6, 14. Peter and John had not seen the two angels. Westcott suggests an "economy" in such manifestations as the explanations. Better our own ignorance as to the reason why only the women saw them. Angels were commonly believed to be clad in white. See Mr 16:5 (a young man in a white robe), Mt 28:5 (the angel), Lu 24:4 (two men in dazzling apparel). For other angels in John's Gospel see 1:41; 12:29; 20:12.

Had lain ( εκειτο ). Imperfect in progressive sense, "had been lying," though not there now.

I do not know ( ουκ οιδα ). Singular here, not plural as in verse 2, because clearly Mary is alone here. But the problem is the same. She did not see Peter and John at the tomb.

She turned herself back ( εστραφη εις τα οπισω ). Second aorist passive indicative of στρεφω in an intransitive and almost reflective sense. In the disappearance of the aorist middle before the aorist passive see Robertson, Grammar, p.817. See also στραφεισα (second aorist passive participle) in verse 16. On εις τα οπισω see 6:66; 18:6.

Standing ( εστωτα ). Second perfect active (intransitive) of ιστημ. Instinctively Mary felt the presence of some one behind her.

Was ( εστιν ). Present active indicative retained in indirect discourse after ηιδε (knew).

Sir ( Κυριε ). Clearly not "Lord" here, for she thought him to be "the gardener" ( ο κηπουρος ), old word ( κηποσ, ουρος ), keeper of the garden, only here in the N.T.

If thou hast borne him hence ( ε συ εβαστασος αυτον ). Condition of the first class. Note emphasis on συ (thou). A new idea struck Mary as mistaken as the other one. Jesus had repeated the question of the angels, but she did not recognize him.

And I ( καγω ). Emphasis and crasis.

Mary ( Μαριαμ ). Aramaic form in Aleph B W, though Μαρια in 19:25. Clearly the old familiar tone of Jesus was in the pronunciation of her name.

Rabboni ( Ραββουνε ). Aramaic again for Διδασκαλε (Teacher), "my Teacher." In N.T. only here and Mr 10:51 though practically the same as Ραββ. See 11:28 for "the Teacher" (Rabbi). These two simple words tell the great fact that Christ is risen and Mary has seen him. One says little in really great moments.

Touch me not ( μη μου απτου ). Present middle imperative in prohibition with genitive case, meaning "cease clinging to me" rather than "Do not touch me." Jesus allowed the women to take hold of his feet ( εκρατησαν ) and worship ( προσεκυνησαν ) as we read in Mt 28:9. The prohibition here reminds Mary that the previous personal fellowship by sight, sound, and touch no longer exists and that the final state of glory was not yet begun. Jesus checks Mary's impulsive eagerness.

For I am not yet ascended ( ουπω γαρ αναβεβηκα ). Perfect active indicative. Jesus is here at all only because he has not yet gone home. He had said (16:7) that it was good for them that he should go to the Father when the Holy Spirit will come through whom they will have fellowship with the Father and Christ.

My God ( θεου μου ). Jesus had said "My God" on the Cross (Mr 15:34). Note it also in Re 3:2. So Paul in Ro 15:6, etc., has "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

And telleth ( αγγελλουσα ). Present active participle, "announcing."

I have seen the Lord ( Hεωρακα τον κυριον ). Perfect active indicative of οραω. She will always carry in her heart that vision (picture) of the Risen Christ. She tells this fact before she delivers Christ's message to the brethren of Christ.

How that. No word in the Greek, but a conjunction like ως is implied. Hοτ here is recitative. The disciples (brethren) did not believe Mary's story nor that of the other women (Lu 24:11; Mr 16:11). Paul does not mention the vision to Mary or the women in 1Co 15:5-7. But Mary Magdalene was the first one to see the Risen Lord.