King James Version

What Does Luke 24:12 Mean?

Luke 24:12 in the King James Version says “Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and dep...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Luke 24:12 · KJV

Context

10

It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.

11

And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.

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.

13

And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.

14

And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

Read Luke 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Peter's response contrasts with the other apostles' dismissal. The verb "arose" (anastas, ἀναστὰς) suggests sudden, decisive action, and he ran (edramen, ἔδραμεν)—urgency driven by either hope or curiosity. His stooping down (parakypsas, παρακύψας) to peer into the low tomb entrance shows careful investigation, not casual observation.

What Peter beheld (blepei, βλέπει, present tense creating vividness) was the linen clothes laid by themselves (ta othonia mona, τὰ ὀθόνια μόνα). The grave clothes lying undisturbed—not unwrapped and scattered as if grave robbers had stolen the body—suggested something extraordinary. John's account adds that the head cloth was "wrapped together in a place by itself" (John 20:7), implying the body had passed through the cloths, leaving them collapsed but positioned. This detail argues against theft—thieves wouldn't carefully arrange burial cloths.

Peter departed, wondering in himself (apēlthen pros hauton thaumazōn, ἀπῆλθεν πρὸς ἑαυτὸν θαυμάζων). The verb thaumazō (θαυμάζων) means to marvel, be amazed—not yet belief but astonishment. The phrase "in himself" (pros hauton, πρὸς ἑαυτόν) suggests internal dialogue, processing what he'd seen. Peter stood between unbelief and faith, evidence and understanding, confusion and clarity.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Peter's prominence throughout the Gospels and Acts makes his investigation significant. As spokesman for the Twelve, his witness carried weight. His threefold denial (Luke 22:54-62) made him perhaps the most unlikely candidate for apostolic leadership, yet Jesus restored him (John 21:15-17) and he became the early church's primary leader (Acts 1-12).

Luke's brief account is supplemented by John 20:3-10, which adds that John accompanied Peter and arrived first but let Peter enter the tomb first. Both saw the grave clothes and believed—or at least moved toward belief. The physical evidence of the undisturbed burial cloths became important early Christian apologetic against the stolen-body theory. The combination of empty tomb, ordered grave clothes, and angelic testimony pointed toward resurrection.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Peter's investigation despite initial skepticism teach about honest pursuit of truth?
  2. How do the undisturbed grave clothes serve as evidence for resurrection rather than body theft?
  3. Why might Peter only 'wonder' rather than immediately believe, and what does this teach about the process of coming to faith?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
Ὁ1 of 22
G3588

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

δὲ2 of 22

“Then”

G1161

but, and, etc

Πέτρος3 of 22

“Peter”

G4074

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

ἀναστὰς4 of 22

“arose”

G450

to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

ἔδραμεν5 of 22

“and ran”

G5143

which uses ????? <pronunciation strongs="drem'-o"/> (the base of g1408) as alternate in certain tenses; to run or walk hastily (literally or figurativ

ἐπὶ6 of 22

“unto”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τὸ7 of 22
G3588

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

μνημεῖον8 of 22

“the sepulchre”

G3419

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

καὶ9 of 22

“and”

G2532

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

παρακύψας10 of 22

“stooping down”

G3879

to bend beside, i.e., lean over (so as to peer within)

βλέπει11 of 22

“he beheld”

G991

to look at (literally or figuratively)

τὰ12 of 22
G3588

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

ὀθόνια13 of 22

“the linen clothes”

G3608

a linen bandage

κείμενα14 of 22

“laid”

G2749

to lie outstretched (literally or figuratively)

μόνα15 of 22

“by themselves”

G3441

remaining, i.e., sole or single; by implication, mere

καὶ16 of 22

“and”

G2532

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

ἀπῆλθεν17 of 22

“departed”

G565

to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively

πρὸς18 of 22

“in”

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

ἑαυτὸν19 of 22

“himself”

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

θαυμάζων20 of 22

“wondering”

G2296

to wonder; by implication, to admire

τὸ21 of 22
G3588

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

γεγονός22 of 22

“at that which was come to pass”

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Luke 24:12 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 Luke 24:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 20:3-10

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