The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
Parallel translations
- WEB They both ran together. The other disciple outran Peter, and came to the tomb first.
- KJV So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
- NKJV So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first.
- NASB The two were running together; and the other disciple ran ahead, faster than Peter, and came to the tomb first;
- NLT They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Both disciples run, and the other disciple reaches the tomb first. The vivid detail marks an eyewitness memory.
Overview
The race to the tomb, with John outrunning Peter, is the kind of personal detail an eyewitness recalls. It conveys the disciples' eager urgency to learn the truth. John's modest self-reference ('the other disciple') and the specific memory add authenticity to the narrative.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- 2 Sam 18:23“No matter what, I want to run!” he replied. “Then run!” Joab told him. So Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and outran the Cushite.
- 1 Cor 9:24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize.
- 2 Cor 8:12For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
- Lev 13:30the priest shall examine the infection, and if it appears to be deeper than the skin and the hair in it is yellow and thin, the priest must pronounce him unclean; it is a scaly outbreak, an infectious disease of the head or chin.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
John declares him plainly: the eternal Word made flesh, the Lamb of God, the great 'I AM' — bread, light, door, shepherd, way, truth, life, resurrection — that you may believe and have life in his name.
How John 20:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.