Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 20:4
So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter and came first to the sepulcher.
4. So they ran ] More exactly, But they began to run.
did outrun ] Literally, ran on more quickly than, as being much the younger man. Would a writer of the second century have thought of this in inventing a narrative?
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 4. Outrun Peter] Not because he had a greater desire to see into the truth of these things; but because he was younger, and lighter of foot.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
So they ran both together,…. At first setting out, and for a while; not content to walk, they ran, being eagerly desirous to know the truth of things:
and that other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre; John was a younger man than Peter, and so more nimble, and swift of foot, and got to the sepulchre before him; and besides, had not that concern of mind to retard him, Peter might have; as, supposing Christ was risen, and he should see him, how he should be able to look him in the face, whom he had so shamefully denied.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
They both ( ). “The two” (Peter and the other disciple whom Jesus loved).
Ran together ( ). Imperfect active of . It was a race in eagerness to reach the tomb of Jesus.
Outran Peter ( ). Second aorist active indicative of , old verb, in N.T. only here and Lu 19:4, to run on before (ahead). “He ran ahead more swiftly (see Joh 13:27) than Peter” (ablative case after comparative adverb , Koine for older ).
First (). Predicative nominative (not adverb ) and superlative used where only two involved. John won the race.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
They ran [] . Still the imperfect, they were running. How much the A. V. loses by its persistent ignoring of the force of this tense. Did outrun [ ] . Literally, ran on in front more quickly. Dante, addressing the spirit of John in Paradise says :
“O holy father, spirit who beholdest What thou believedst so that thou o’ercamest, Toward the sepulchre, more youthful feet.” ” Paradise, ” 24 124 – 126.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “So they ran both together” (etrechon de hoi duo homou) “So the two of them ran together,” in eagerness to find what had disturbed the tomb, to solve Mary’s doubts and their own uncertainties.
2) “And the other disciple did outrun Peter,” (kai ho allos mathetes proedramen tachion tou Petrou) “And the other disciple (John) ran ahead, more quickly than, or outran Peter,” for love is more durable than impulsive zeal, Joh 13:30.
3) “And came first to the sepulchre.” (kai elthen protos eis to mnemeion) “And he came first (in order) to the tomb,” or ahead of Peter, who had run with him, after Mary Magdalene had brought them the report that the tomb had been emptied, Joh 20:2. John was perhaps younger than Peter.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(4) So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter.This is simply the result of the greater activity of John, who was probably younger than his companion. The thought that love outran doubt or fear, which has often been connected with the words, is not in harmony with the context, for Peter therefore went forth as soon as he heard Marys words (Joh. 20:3); and Peter it was who first entered into the sepulchre (Joh. 20:6).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
Ver. 4. So they ran both together ] But the swifter of foot they were, the slower in faith; for “he that believeth maketh not haste,” Isa 28:16 . They believed not fully the resurrection; when they heard the news of it, and from the angels too, they stirred not, but rejected it as a fable. Now that they hear (though but by a woman only) that the Lord’s body was removed to another sepulchre (though that were but a rash report, and nothing so) they run amain. Oh the dullness that is found in the best!
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
4 8. ] Full of most interesting and characteristic detail. John, probably the younger, outruns Peter; but when there, reverently (not “ ne pollueretur ,” as Wetstein [251] .) abstains from entering the sepulchre. The ardent and impetuous Peter goes directly in John follows and believes . What can exceed the inner truth of this description? And what is not related, is as full of truth as that which is. For, Joh 20:6-7 , we seem to hear the very voice of Peter describing to his companion the inner state of the tomb.
[251] Wetstein.
On . see reff.
Notice , of the cursory glance of John, who did not go in, , of the exhaustive gaze of Peter who did. Notice also that John when he stooped and looked in saw only the , which seem to have been lying where the Feet were, nearer the entrance, whereas Peter, on going in, saw the which was perhaps deposited further in, near the place of the Head. Nor should, as Meyer observes, the minute distinction of in Joh 20:5 and in Joh 20:6 , be altogether overlooked.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Joh 20:4 . , “and the two ran together”: equally eager; but , “the other disciple ran on before more quickly than Peter”; probably John was the younger man. [Lampe suggests two other reasons: either Peter’s steps were slower “ob conscientiam culpae,” or “forte via Joanni magis nota erat”.] Consequently John “came first to the tomb”.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
ran = were running,
did outrun = ran ahead, more quickly than. This affords no ground for the assumption by so many commentators, even Alford, that John was younger than Peter.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
4-8.] Full of most interesting and characteristic detail. John, probably the younger, outruns Peter;-but when there, reverently (not ne pollueretur, as Wetstein[251].) abstains from entering the sepulchre. The ardent and impetuous Peter goes directly in-John follows-and believes. What can exceed the inner truth of this description? And what is not related, is as full of truth as that which is. For, Joh 20:6-7, we seem to hear the very voice of Peter describing to his companion the inner state of the tomb.
[251] Wetstein.
On . see reff.
Notice , of the cursory glance of John, who did not go in,-, of the exhaustive gaze of Peter who did. Notice also that John when he stooped and looked in saw only the , which seem to have been lying where the Feet were, nearer the entrance, whereas Peter, on going in, saw the which was perhaps deposited further in, near the place of the Head. Nor should, as Meyer observes, the minute distinction of in Joh 20:5 and in Joh 20:6, be altogether overlooked.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Joh 20:4. , did run before) Here there may be sweetly observed the distinguishing characteristics of the two disciples: faith in Peter, and love in John.-, more quickly) Greater speed was appropriate in John, the younger of the two; greater gravity (sedateness) was appropriate in Peter, the elder. Neither, in his movements, has regard to the other; the regard of both is directed to the thing itself.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Joh 20:4
Joh 20:4
And they ran both together: and the other disciple outran Peter, and came first to the tomb;-[Their emotion would not allow them to walk.]
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
outrun: 2Sa 18:23, Lev 13:30, 1Co 9:24, 2Co 8:12
Reciprocal: Mat 28:6 – Come
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
4
John outran Peter and arrived first at the sepulchre.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Joh 20:4. And they ran both together, and the other disciple did outran Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. It is extremely probable that John was the younger and thus also the more active of the two. The same supposition throws light on the next verse.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Vv. 4-7. And they ran both together; and the other disciple ran more quickly than Peter, and he came first to the sepulchre; 5, and, stooping down, he sees the linen cloths lying on the ground;yet he did not enter in. 6. Simon Peter, following him, comes, and he entered into the sepulchre; and he beholds the linen cloths lying on the ground, 7, and the napkin, which had been placed upon his head, not lying with the other linen cloths, but rolled up and lying in a place by itself.
John, being younger and more agile, arrives first. But his emotion is so strong that he timidly stops at the entrance to the sepulchre, after having looked in. Peter, of a more masculine and practical character, resolutely enters. These details are so natural, and so harmonious with the personality of the two disciples, that they bear in themselves the seal of their authenticity. They recall those of ch. 1The present he sees (Joh 20:5) is contrasted with the aorist came (Joh 20:4); the same contrast occurs again between the verbs he enteredand he beholds (Joh 20:6). This difference springs from the contrast between the moment of arrival or of entrance and the continuance of the examination which follows or precedes. The word , beholds, unites in one the observation of the fact and the reflection on the fact. These linen cloths spread out did not suggest a removal; for the body would not have been carried away completely naked. The napkin, especially, rolled up and laid aside carefully, attested, not a precipitate removal, but a calm awakening. Here was what might suggest reflection to the two disciples.