King James Version

What Does John 20:6 Mean?

John 20:6 in the King James Version says “Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,” — study this verse from John chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,”

John 20:6 · KJV

Context

4

So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.

5

And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.

6

Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,

7

And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself .

8

Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.

Read John 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then cometh Simon Peter following him—Peter arrives second but went into the sepulchre (εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον, eisēlthen eis to mnēmeion) immediately, characteristically bold. The verb's aorist tense emphasizes decisive action contrasting John's hesitation. And seeth the linen clothes lie (θεωρεῖ τὰ ὀθόνια κείμενα, theōrei ta othonia keimena)—John uses a different verb for Peter's seeing: θεωρεῖ (theōrei), suggesting more careful observation than mere glancing.

Peter's entering first despite arriving second inverts expected order, previewing the resurrection's pattern of reversals. The grave clothes 'lying' (κείμενα, keimena)—present participle suggesting they lie undisturbed, not scattered as if unwrapped hastily. This detail becomes crucial: the body hadn't been stolen (thieves don't unwrap corpses), nor had Jesus merely revived (he wouldn't carefully remove wrappings).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Peter's leadership role in the early church (Acts 1-12) was already established when John wrote, making this account of Peter entering first theologically significant—the church's chief apostle is first to fully witness the empty tomb's evidence. Peter's boldness here contrasts with his earlier denials (18:17, 25-27), showing restoration already beginning even before the explicit reconciliation of chapter 21.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Peter's immediate entry despite ritual defilement show that some moments transcend religious protocol?
  2. What does the undisturbed state of the grave clothes prove that an empty tomb alone could not?
  3. When has your boldness in entering difficult situations prepared the way for others' understanding?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
ἔρχεται1 of 16

“cometh”

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

οὖν2 of 16

“Then”

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

Σίμων3 of 16

“Simon”

G4613

simon (i.e., shimon), the name of nine israelites

Πέτρος4 of 16

“Peter”

G4074

a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle

ἀκολουθῶν5 of 16

“following”

G190

properly, to be in the same way with, i.e., to accompany (specially, as a disciple)

αὐτῷ6 of 16

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ7 of 16

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἰσῆλθεν8 of 16

“went”

G1525

to enter (literally or figuratively)

εἰς9 of 16

“into”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸ10 of 16
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μνημεῖον11 of 16

“the sepulchre”

G3419

a remembrance, i.e., cenotaph (place of interment)

καὶ12 of 16

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

θεωρεῖ13 of 16

“seeth”

G2334

to be a spectator of, i.e., discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge))

τὰ14 of 16
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὀθόνια15 of 16

“the linen clothes”

G3608

a linen bandage

κείμενα16 of 16

“lie”

G2749

to lie outstretched (literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 20:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 20:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 21:15-17John 21:7John 18:25-27Matthew 16:15-16John 6:67-69John 18:17

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