John 20:10
Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
John 20:10 (KJV)
Context
This verse concludes the account of Peter and John at the empty tomb on the morning of Jesus’ resurrection. Mary Magdalene had run to them with the alarming news that the Lord’s body was missing. Both disciples raced to the tomb, and John, arriving first, saw the linen clothes lying there but waited outside. Peter then entered and observed the linen clothes and the folded napkin that had covered Jesus’ head. After this examination, the disciples went away again unto their own home.
The Greek phrase rendered “unto their own home” literally means “to themselves,” indicating a return to their own dwelling or lodging. This was not a statement of confusion or distress, but a simple departure after their investigation. The action is ordinary, yet it stands in stark contrast to the extraordinary event they had just witnessed.
Meaning
The disciples’ departure highlights their incomplete comprehension at that moment. The immediate context notes that they did not yet understand the Scripture that Jesus must rise from the dead. They had seen the evidence—the empty tomb and the linen cloths—but they did not yet grasp its full significance. Their return home was not a rejection of the truth, but a temporary pause before their understanding would be opened.
This verse also serves as a transition in the narrative, moving from the empty tomb to the personal appearances of the risen Christ. The disciples carried with them what they had seen, even if they did not yet know what it meant. For the reader, this distinction between observing evidence and fully grasping its meaning invites patient faith that awaits God’s fuller revelation.
Biblical connections
The eyewitness testimony of Peter and John is significant. They saw the empty tomb and the linen clothes, providing historical evidence for the reality of the resurrection. Their later transformation into bold witnesses, as recorded in Acts, underscores the profound impact of this event. The resurrection remains the cornerstone of Christian hope, offering forgiveness and eternal life to all who believe.
Application
Seek to deepen your understanding of the resurrection. Study the Scriptures and reflect on the evidence, allowing it to strengthen your faith. Consider how the disciples’ lives were changed and how the early church grew because of their encounter with the risen Christ. Share this good news with others, just as the disciples became witnesses of Jesus’ victory over sin and death.
Reflection
The disciples went home, but they did not stay there. The resurrection soon transformed their confusion into conviction. In your own walk, times of incomplete understanding are not failures; they are opportunities for God to reveal more of His purpose. Trust that the One who rose from the dead will complete the work He has begun in you.
