What does John 20:6 mean?

Explanation

John 20:6 describes an event soon after the resurrection of Jesus. Following Mary Magdalene's report that the tomb was empty, Peter and the disciple whom Jesus loved (traditionally identified as John) ran to the tomb.

In this verse, Simon Peter, not the first to arrive but the first to enter the tomb, is depicted observing the linen cloths. These were the burial wrappings that had been around Jesus’ body, now lying empty, signaling that Jesus’ body was no longer there.

The verse emphasizes that Peter went inside and saw the linens himself, stressing the point that he was a direct witness to the evidence of the resurrection.

Historical Context

John 20:6 occurs within the narrative of the Gospel of John, which is estimated to have been written between 90-100 AD.

The context is the resurrection of Jesus on the first day of the week following His crucifixion.

The Gospels provide varying accounts of the resurrection's discovery, but they all highlight that Jesus's followers found the tomb empty.

The significance of the empty tomb was profound in the early Christian community as it served as a tangible foundation for the belief in Jesus’ resurrection.

Theological Insights

From various theological perspectives, this verse demonstrates crucial evidence for the bodily resurrection of Christ. The linen clothes represent a shed chrysalis, an entity discarded at the renewal of life.

Theologically, these linens serve as a symbol of Jesus having passed through death and entered into a new form of life. For Christians, this event underpins the doctrine of the resurrection of the body and offers hope of eternal life.

In apologetics, the eye-witness account is critical in arguing for the historical reliability of Jesus' resurrection.

Practical Applications

Practically, John 20:6 can encourage individuals to personally examine the evidence of the Christian faith, much as Peter did. It serves as a testament to the need for personal experience and confrontation with the reality of Jesus' teachings and resurrection.

The verse also emboldens believers to witness and to affirm their convictions based on their understanding and interaction with the historical and spiritual truths of Christianity.

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 20:5 - "And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in."
• John 20:7 - "And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself."

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek that stand out in John 20:6 include:

• ēlthen (ἦλθεν): a form of "come" or "go" indicating Peter's action of going into the sepulchre.
• theōrei (θεωρεῖ): "sees" or "beholds," denoting careful observation, not merely a glance.
• othonia (ὀθόνια): refers to the linen cloths used for burial.

This term emphasizes the grave clothes' association with death and burial customs of the time.

These words underscore the deliberate action of Peter and the significance of what he witnessed.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The account of the linen cloths resonates with cultural practices of the time regarding burial.

Jews would wrap the body in spices and linens as part of the embalming process.

Within religious comparisons, it's worth noting other myths and resurrection stories.

For instance, the Egyptian myth of Osiris involves a god being resurrected after death, but differences are vast, and the stories operate in different frameworks of understanding life, death, and divinity.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific analysis cannot verify the supernatural aspects of resurrection; however, it can provide insights into the burial customs of the time and the behavior of linen exposed to decomposition.

Some researchers use forensic science to theorize what the state of the linen clothes might indicate about the circumstances of Jesus' disappearance from the tomb.

Commentaries

Various biblical commentaries approach John 20:6 with different emphases:

• Matthew Henry's Commentary notes the courage of Peter to enter the tomb and the significance of the grave clothes as a sign of Jesus' power over death.
• The MacArthur Study Bible highlights the fact that the orderly arrangement of the linen strips and face cloth indicates no sign of haste or theft, supporting the claim of resurrection.
• Other scholars, such as N.T.

Wright, argue for the historical and literal truth of the resurrection, viewing the empty tomb and grave clothes as a part of a larger historical and theological narrative witnessed and recorded by the early Christian community.