John 20:8-10, The Other Disciple

8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.

What did John believe? He believed that Jesus had risen from the dead, making John the first follower of Jesus to believe in the resurrection. This is the same man to whom Jesus gave his mother. John saw the grave clothes. They were the only thing of value in the tomb. If there had been robbers, they did not take them. If the authorities had taken his body, why take the grave clothes off and why fold the head covering? The visual evidence was enough for him to believe.

Writing perhaps years or decades later, John recognizes that the resurrection had been foretold in Scripture. Perhaps he was thinking of Psalm 16:9-11:

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;

my flesh also dwells secure.

For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,    

or let your holy one see corruption.

You make known to me the path of life;    

in your presence there is fullness of joy;    

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Jesus was to teach his disciples about the witness of Scripture (the Old Testament) to the resurrection, which he first begins on the road to Emmaus in a few hours and continues later that evening with his disciples back in Jerusalem.

At this point the disciples return to their homes. Peter and John go back to Jerusalem, most likely to John’s family’s home, and the other women who accompanied Mary to their various homes, including those who had come from Bethany that morning—of which I will have more to say in a few days.

The stage is now set for Jesus’ first resurrection appearance.

Christ is risen, Christ is risen, tell it out with joyful voice;

Christ has burst his three days’ prison: let the whole wide earth rejoice!

Death is conquered, we are free, Christ has won the victory.

Cecil Francis Alexander, 1818-1895