Bible Strands
John 20:3
Then Peter and the other disciple set out for the tomb.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrator reports Simon Peter and the unnamed disciple leaving the location where Mary Magdalene delivered her message. They depart to investigate the burial site immediately after hearing that Jesus's body is missing.
The words — The Greek Ἐξῆλθεν (Exēlthen) literally means "went forth" or "departed," denoting a decisive physical movement. The particle οὖν (oun) translates as "therefore," functioning as a grammatical bridge that ties their departure directly to the preceding report.
The thread — The narrative pattern of disciples physically traveling to verify an empty tomb appears in Luke 24:12, where Peter also runs to the burial site. Both accounts treat the verification of the grave as a necessary preliminary step before any further understanding occurs.
Why it lands — The verse requires the reader to acknowledge that the initial response to extraordinary claims is factual investigation rather than immediate faith. It demands that the reader follow the concrete actions of the witnesses before drawing any conclusion about the event itself.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.
Cross-references
- Luke 24:12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. And after bending down and seeing only the linen cloths, he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.