What does John 20:10 mean?

Explanation

John 20:10 appears in the context of the resurrection narrative in the Gospel of John.

After Mary Magdalene discovers the empty tomb, she runs to tell Peter and the "other disciple," commonly understood to be John, the author of the Gospel.

Peter and John run to the tomb, inspect the linen wrappings, and find the tomb empty as Mary had said.

This particular verse follows their inspection of the empty tomb and simply states that the disciples returned to their homes afterward.

The literal meaning reflects the actions taken by the disciples: having seen the tomb empty and perhaps confused or not fully understanding what they witnessed, they went back to their homes.

The deeper implication is that the initial reaction to the empty tomb and the events of the resurrection was not a complete understanding or immediate joy but rather a return to the familiar, reflecting a human need to retreat and ponder extraordinary events.

Historical Context

This verse is set during the time shortly after Jesus' crucifixion, which scholars estimate to be around 30-33 AD.

The Gospel of John is believed to have been written toward the end of the first century, possibly between 90-110 AD.

At this time, early Christians faced persecution and were struggling with understanding the identity of Jesus and the implications of his life, death, and resurrection.

The act of returning home reflects the practices and social norms of the time, where people would retreat to their private spaces to reflect on significant events.

Furthermore, the historical context emphasizes the initial disbelief or lack of comprehension regarding the resurrection, which was a cornerstone event for the burgeoning Christian faith.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse touches upon the human response to divine revelation.

While some Christian traditions emphasize the immediacy of faith following Jesus' resurrection, John 20:10 suggests a more gradual process of understanding and acceptance.

It also highlights the humanity of the disciples, who, despite being close to Jesus, were still subject to confusion and needed time to process events.

Theologically, this verse could be interpreted in the differing understandings between Petrine Christianity, associated with the apostle Peter, and Johannine Christianity, associated with the author of the Gospel.

This moment of returning home may symbolize, from a Johannine perspective, the transition to a more spiritual understanding of Jesus' mission.

Practical Applications

John 20:10 can inspire modern readers to acknowledge that even those closest to Jesus needed time to understand the significance of the events they witnessed.

It provides a reassurance that faith can sometimes be a journey rather than an instantaneous revelation.

Practically, it suggests that believers should allow themselves time to process and reflect upon their spiritual experiences and not be disheartened by moments of confusion or uncertainty.

Cross-References

• Luke 24:12: "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."
• John 20:19: "Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the verb used for "went away again" is ἀπῆλθον (apelthon), which is a compound word coming from the preposition "apo" (away from) and "erchomai" (to come or go).

It emphasizes leaving or departing from a place.

There is an implication of returning to a previous state or place, which in this context is "unto their own home," indicating a retreat to a familiar setting.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient religious traditions, there are also stories of disciples or followers being initially confused or doubtful after the death or departure of a leader.

For example, in Buddhism, after the death of the Buddha, his followers had to congregate and collectively remember his teachings in order to preserve them.

This narrative, similar to the Christian story, shows a period of uncertainty followed by a consolidation of faith.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the behavior described in John 20:10 might be analyzed through the lens of human psychology.

It is well-documented that individuals often need time to process unexpected or significant events, particularly those that challenge existing beliefs or understandings of the world.

Cognitive dissonance theory could help explain the disciples' need to return to a familiar environment to reconcile the events they had witnessed with their pre-existing beliefs.

Commentaries

Commentaries on John 20:10 often focus on the personal and immediate response of the disciples to the empty tomb.

Many scholars note Peter and John's lack of understanding, pointing to this narrative as evidence of the authentic human emotions expressed by the disciples.

Commentators also emphasize the importance of individual faith journeys, suggesting that the path to belief and understanding can be different for each person and that this verse illustrates the normalcy of such variation within the early Christian community.