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Commentaries
English
John
  
6Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying,7and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself.8Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed.


John stood outside the tomb awaiting Peter’s arrival, a mark of respect for the senior apostle; who would be the first to see the tomb and its vacant state. The youthful John was shaken by what he saw at first glance of the stone rolled away, the tomb open and the body vanished. The grave clothes also were carefully arranged. Thoughts churned in his mind; he prayed asking for light from the Lord as to what may have happened.
Soon Peter was there, entering directly into the open tomb; he perceived that the kerchief that had been on Jesus’ face was placed separately on the side. This meant that the body had not been stolen, since his exit had been orderly and calm.
Peter entered as if he was an inspector, but did not grasp the meaning of the obvious signs. John, the mystic, pondered, prayed and sensed hope. When he responded to Peter’s call and entered, his soul was illumined and began to believe in Christ’s resurrection. It was not his meeting with the Risen One that created faith in him, but the empty tomb and the grave clothes neatly folded pointed him to the truth and to faith.