John 20:2

Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

John 20:2 (KJV)

Context

John 20:2 continues the resurrection narrative that begins in John 20:1. Mary Magdalene had gone to the tomb early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, and found the stone rolled away from the entrance. This verse records her immediate response: she runs to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, to report what she has found.

Meaning

Mary’s action of running shows her urgency and distress. She goes specifically to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved—a distinctive Johannine expression traditionally understood to refer to John the apostle, the author of this Gospel. Her report, “They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him,” reveals her assumption that someone had removed Jesus’ body. She does not yet understand or believe in the resurrection. Her use of “we know not” suggests she was not alone in her discovery, likely referring to the other women who were with her. The message is one of confusion and sorrow, not of faith.

Biblical connections

This verse sets the stage for the events that follow: Peter and the other disciple run to the tomb to verify her report, and later the risen Jesus appears to Mary. Her journey from confusion and despair to joy and belief is a powerful example of how an encounter with the risen Christ can transform a life. The narrative moves from the empty tomb to the disciples’ growing understanding of the resurrection, ultimately leading to their renewed faith and mission.

Application

Mary’s honest report of her confusion reminds us that doubt and distress can be brought to the Lord and to fellow believers. She did not stay away in fear; she ran to the disciples with her concern. In our own faith journey, we may not always understand what God is doing, but we can bring our questions to Him and to His people. The resurrection that Mary would soon witness assures us that even when circumstances seem hopeless, God is at work in ways we cannot yet see.

Reflection

John 20:2 captures the initial reaction of Mary Magdalene upon discovering the empty tomb. It reveals the disciples’ state of confusion before their encounters with the risen Christ. This moment is a turning point in the Gospel, showing that the path from doubt to faith often begins with a simple, honest report of what we have seen. As we read this verse, we are reminded that the risen Lord meets us in our confusion and leads us to belief.