A.T. Robertson Commentary John 20
A.T. Robertson Commentary
John 20
A.T. Robertson Commentary
John 20
"Now on the first [day] of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, while it was yet dark, unto the tomb, and seeth the stone taken away from the tomb." — John 20:1 (ASV)
Now on the first day of the week (τη δε μια των σαββατων). Locative case of time when. Both Mark and Luke (Luke 24:1) have this very idiom of the cardinal τη μια, instead of the usual ordinal τη πρωτη (first), an idiom common in the papyri and in the modern Greek (Robertson, Grammar, p. 671). In all three instances also we have the genitive plural των σαββατων for "the week" as in Ac 20:7. The singular σαββατον also occurs for "the week" as in Lu 18:12; Mr 16:9.
Cometh Mary Magdalene (Μαρια η Μαγδαληνη ερχετα). Vivid historical present. Mary Magdalene is not to be confounded with Mary of Bethany.
While it was yet dark (σκοτιας ετ ουσης). Genitive absolute. For σκοτια see Joh 6:17; Matthew 10:27. Mark says the sun was risen on their actual arrival. She started from the house while still dark.
Taken away (ηρμενον). Perfect passive participle of αιρω, predicate accusative in apposition with τον λιθον.
"She runneth therefore, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we know not where they have laid him." — John 20:2 (ASV)
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 (Matthew 28:5–8; Luke 24:1–8). Luke (Luke 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.
"Peter therefore went forth, and the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb." — John 20:3 (ASV)
They went (ηρχοντο). Imperfect middle picturing the scene, "they were going." The two started instantly (εξηλθεν, aorist active indicative).
"And they ran both together: and the other disciple outran Peter, and came first to the tomb;" — John 20:4 (ASV)
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 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.
"and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths lying; yet entered he not in." — John 20:5 (ASV)
Stooping and looking in (παρακυψας). Originally to stoop and look, but in the LXX (Genesis 26:8; 1 Kings 6:4, etc.) and the papyri rather just to peep in and so Field (Ot. Norv.) urges here. See also verse 11; Luke 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).
Jump to: