The Meaning of John 20:5 Explained

John 20:5

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

YLT: and having stooped down, seeth the linen clothes lying, yet, indeed, he entered not.

Darby: and stooping down he sees the linen cloths lying; he did not however go in.

ASV: and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths lying; yet entered he not in.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does John 20:5 Mean?

Verse Meaning

John saw (Gr. blepei, cf. John 20:1) the linen strips (ta othonia, cf. John 19:40) that had formerly covered Jesus" body lying in the tomb. If grave robbers had removed the body, they would have undoubtedly taken the expensive cloth with which Joseph and Nicodemus had prepared it for burial. John may have assumed that Jesus" body was still there if the light was bad at that hour. Perhaps John did not enter the tomb because he did not want to violate its sanctity or incur ritual defilement.

Context Summary

John 20:1-10 - The Witness Of The Empty Tomb
In considering John's account of the Resurrection, we should remember that it is largely supplementary to the other narratives. This Gospel having been written long after those were in circulation, the selection of incidents which are recorded is made for spiritual purposes. John's object was to show various instances of faith in the risen Christ, each one being typical and having its own lessons to teach.
Easter morning! What dismay there is in Mary's voice and what consternation in her face! What a mistake also she made, for who can take our Lord away from hearts where He is enshrined! The Greek word used to describe the disposition of the clothes is very remarkable. It conveys the idea that they had fallen together, as if that which they had covered had been suddenly withdrawn.
How much those two disciples missed! Had they only waited, they might have seen the Lord. Do not hurry with wanton haste from the mysteries of our Lord's grave; but learn that on the one hand He was declared to be God's Son, Romans 1:4, and on the other we are taught the victory of faith even over death, John 11:26. [source]

Chapter Summary: John 20

1  Mary comes to the tomb;
3  so do Peter and John, ignorant of the resurrection
11  Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene,
19  and to his disciples
24  The incredulity and confession of Thomas
30  The Scripture is sufficient to salvation

Greek Commentary for John 20:5

Stooping and looking in [παρακυπσας]
Originally to stoop and look, but in the lxx (Gen 26:8; Judges 5:28; 1Kings 6:4, etc.) and the papyri rather just to peep in and so Field (Ot. Norv.) urges here. See also John 20:11; Luke 24:12 (the verse bracketed by Westcott and Hort). For οτονια — othonia (linen cloth) see John 19:40. Lying Present middle participle of κειμαι — keimai predicative accusative. John notices this fact at once. If the body had been removed, these clothes would have gone also. John‘s timid nature made him pause (yet, μεντοι — mentoi however). [source]
Stooping down [παρακύψας]
See on James 1:25, and compare 1 Peter 1:12. See also Song of Solomon, Song of Solomon 2:9(Sept.). “He looketh forth ( παρακύπτων ) at the windows.” [source]
Seeth [βλέπει]
Simple sight. Compare the intent gaze of Peter ( θεωρεῖ ), John 20:6, which discovered the napkin, not seen by John. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 20:5

Luke 24:12 Stooping and looking in [παρακυπσας]
First aorist active participle of παρακυπτω — parakuptō to stoop besides and peer into. Old verb used also in John 20:5, John 20:11; James 1:25; 1 Peter 1:12.By themselves (μονα — mona). Without the body.To his home Literally, “to himself.” [source]
John 20:12 Seeth [θεωρεῖ]
Rev., beholdeth. See on John 20:5. [source]
John 11:44 Grave-clothes [κειρίαις]
Literally, swathing-bands. Only here in the New Testament. In John 19:40; John 20:5, John 20:7, ὀθόνια , linen bands, is used. [source]
John 20:6 Entered and beholdeth [εισηλτεν και τεωρει]
Aorist active and present active indicative. Peter impulsively went on in and beholds (τεωρει — theōrei vivid term again, but of careful notice, τεωρεω — theōreō not a mere glance βλεπω — blepō such as John gave in John 20:5). [source]
John 20:11 Was standing [ιστηκει]
Past perfect of ιστημι — histēmi as imperfect as in John 19:25. At the tomb Προς — Pros (in front of) with locative while παρα — para (by the side of) with locative in John 19:25. Pathetic and common picture of a woman weeping by the tomb. See John 11:31. As she wept Imperfect, “as she was weeping.” She stooped and looked Aorist active indicative of παρακυπτω — parakuptō for which see John 20:5. Mary “peeped into” the tomb, but did not enter. [source]
Acts 10:11 Corners [ἀρχαῖς]
Lit., beginnings; the extremity or corner, marking a beginning of the sheet. “We are to imagine the vessel, looking like a colossal four-cornered linen cloth letting itself down, while the corners attached to heaven to support the whole.” The word is used in this sense by Herodotus, describing the sacrifices of the Scythians. The victim's forefeet are bound with a cord, “and the person who is about to offer, taking his station behind the victim, pulls the end ( ἀρχὴν )of the rope, and thereby throws the animal down” (iv., 60). The suggestion of ropes holding the corners of the sheet (Alford, and, cautiously, Farrar) is unwarranted by the usage of the word. It was the technical expression in medical language for the ends of bandages. The word for sheet in this passage was also the technical term for a bandage, as was the kindred word ὀθόνιον , used of the linen bandages in which the Lord's body was swathed. See Luke 24:12; John 19:40; John 20:5, John 20:6, John 20:7. Mr. Hobart says: “We have thus in this passage a technical medical phrase - the ends of a bandage - used for the ends of a sheet, which hardly any one except a medical man would think of employing” (“Medical Language of St. Luke”). [source]
James 1:25 He that looketh into [ο παρακυπσας]
First aorist active articular participle of παρακυπτω — parakuptō old verb, to stoop and look into (John 20:5, John 20:11), to gaze carefully by the side of, to peer into or to peep into (1 Peter 1:12). Here the notion of beside (παρα — para) or of stooping (κυπτω — kuptō) is not strong. Sometimes, as Hort shows, the word means only a cursory glance, but the contrast with James 1:24 seems to preclude that here. [source]
1 Peter 1:12 To look into [παρακύψαι]
A very graphic word, meaning to stoop sideways ( παρά )Used by Aristophanes to picture the attitude of a bad harp-player. Here it portrays one stooping and stretching the neck to gaze on some wonderful sight. It occurs in James 1:25, describing him who looks into the perfect law of liberty as into a mirror; and in Luke 24:12; John 20:5, John 20:11, of Peter and John and Mary stooping and looking into the empty tomb. Possibly the memory of this incident unconsciously suggested the word to Peter. The phrase illustrates Peter's habitual emphasis upon the testimony of sight (see Introduction). Bengel acutely notes the hint in παρά , beside, that the angels contemplate the work of salvation from without, as spectators and not as participants. Compare Hebrews 2:16; Ephesians 3:10. [source]
1 Peter 1:12 It was revealed [απεκαλυπτη]
First aorist passive indicative of αποκαλυπτω — apokaluptō old verb, to reveal, to unveil. Here is revelation about the revelation already received, revelation after research.Did they minister (διηκονουν — diēkonoun). Imperfect active of διακονεω — diakoneō old verb, to minister, “were they ministering.”Have been announced Second aorist passive indicative of δια των — anaggellō̄ ̄to report, to bring back tidings (John 4:25).Through them (δια — dia tōn). Intermediate agent (των ευαγγελισαμενων — dia), “the gospelizers” (ευαγγελιζω — tōn euaggelisamenōn articular first aorist middle participle of πνευματι αγιωι — euaggelizō to preach the gospel).By the Holy Ghost Instrumental case of the personal agent, “by the Holy Spirit” (without article).Sent forth from heaven (αποστελλω — apostalenti). Second aorist passive participle of πνευματι αγιωι — apostellō in instrumental case agreeing with επιτυμουσιν — pneumati hagiōi (the Spirit of Christ of 1 Peter 1:11).Desire Eagerly desire (present active indicative of παρακυπσαι — epithumeō to long for).To look into (παρακυπτω — parakupsai). First aorist active infinitive of parakuptō old compound to peer into as in Luke 24:12; John 20:5, John 20:11; James 1:25, which see. For the interest of angels in the Incarnation see Luke 2:13. [source]
1 Peter 1:12 Have been announced [ανηγγελη]
Second aorist passive indicative of δια των — anaggellō̄ ̄to report, to bring back tidings (John 4:25).Through them (δια — dia tōn). Intermediate agent (των ευαγγελισαμενων — dia), “the gospelizers” (ευαγγελιζω — tōn euaggelisamenōn articular first aorist middle participle of πνευματι αγιωι — euaggelizō to preach the gospel).By the Holy Ghost Instrumental case of the personal agent, “by the Holy Spirit” (without article).Sent forth from heaven (αποστελλω — apostalenti). Second aorist passive participle of πνευματι αγιωι — apostellō in instrumental case agreeing with επιτυμουσιν — pneumati hagiōi (the Spirit of Christ of 1 Peter 1:11).Desire Eagerly desire (present active indicative of παρακυπσαι — epithumeō to long for).To look into (παρακυπτω — parakupsai). First aorist active infinitive of parakuptō old compound to peer into as in Luke 24:12; John 20:5, John 20:11; James 1:25, which see. For the interest of angels in the Incarnation see Luke 2:13. [source]
1 Peter 1:12 By the Holy Ghost [αποσταλεντι]
Instrumental case of the personal agent, “by the Holy Spirit” (without article).Sent forth from heaven (αποστελλω — apostalenti). Second aorist passive participle of πνευματι αγιωι — apostellō in instrumental case agreeing with επιτυμουσιν — pneumati hagiōi (the Spirit of Christ of 1 Peter 1:11).Desire Eagerly desire (present active indicative of παρακυπσαι — epithumeō to long for).To look into (παρακυπτω — parakupsai). First aorist active infinitive of parakuptō old compound to peer into as in Luke 24:12; John 20:5, John 20:11; James 1:25, which see. For the interest of angels in the Incarnation see Luke 2:13. [source]
1 Peter 1:12 Desire [επιτυμεω]
Eagerly desire (present active indicative of παρακυπσαι — epithumeō to long for).To look into (παρακυπτω — parakupsai). First aorist active infinitive of parakuptō old compound to peer into as in Luke 24:12; John 20:5, John 20:11; James 1:25, which see. For the interest of angels in the Incarnation see Luke 2:13. [source]
1 Peter 1:12 To look into [παρακυπτω]
First aorist active infinitive of parakuptō old compound to peer into as in Luke 24:12; John 20:5, John 20:11; James 1:25, which see. For the interest of angels in the Incarnation see Luke 2:13. [source]

What do the individual words in John 20:5 mean?

And having stooped down he sees lying [there] the linen cloths not however he entered
καὶ παρακύψας βλέπει κείμενα τὰ ὀθόνια οὐ μέντοι εἰσῆλθεν

παρακύψας  having  stooped  down 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: παρακύπτω  
Sense: to stoop to a thing in order to look at it.
βλέπει  he  sees 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: βλέπω  
Sense: to see, discern, of the bodily eye.
κείμενα  lying  [there] 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: κεῖμαι  
Sense: to lie.
ὀθόνια  linen  cloths 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: ὀθόνιον  
Sense: a piece of linen, small linen cloth.
μέντοι  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: μέντοι  
Sense: but yet, nevertheless, howbeit.
εἰσῆλθεν  he  entered 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: εἰσέρχομαι  
Sense: to go out or come in: to enter.

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