Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.

JOHN 20:8KJV
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John 20:8 (KJV)

What does John 20:8 mean?

John 20:8 describes how the other disciple, who arrived first at Jesus’ tomb, also went inside, saw the scene, and believed. This verse highlights the moment when this disciple personally witnessed the empty tomb and came to a realization or conviction about what had happened.

The setting is early on the first day of the week, after Jesus’ crucifixion. Mary Magdalene has discovered the stone rolled away and told Peter and "the other disciple" (traditionally understood as John). Both disciples run to the tomb; the other disciple arrives first but waits outside until Peter enters. After Peter goes in, the other disciple follows, sees the grave clothes, and believes—though the verse does not specify exactly what he believed, it marks a turning point in his understanding.

The Greek behind John 20:8

  • εἶδεν (eiden, "he saw"): This Greek word for "saw" often means more than just looking; it can carry the sense of perceiving or understanding. Here, it suggests the disciple grasped the significance of what he saw.
  • ἐπίστευσεν (episteusen, "believed"): The Greek word used here means to trust or have faith. The verse simply says he "believed," without specifying the content, but the context implies a dawning faith or realization about Jesus’ resurrection.

Why John 20:8 matters

  • John 20:8 clarifies that belief can come from seeing evidence, not just hearing a message—this disciple’s faith was sparked by what he saw in the tomb.
  • The verse marks a key moment of transition from confusion and sorrow to faith among Jesus’ followers, connecting the empty tomb to the beginnings of resurrection belief.
  • This detail helps distinguish the responses of different disciples, showing that each person’s journey to understanding and faith may look a little different, even when faced with the same event.

Where else these words appear

“sepulchre” Greek G3419 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 8:28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.
  • Mark 16:5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
  • John 11:17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.

“first” Greek G4413 · used in 98 verses

  • Matthew 10:2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
  • Luke 20:29 There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.
  • 1 Timothy 6:21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.

“other” Greek G243 · used in 141 verses

  • Matthew 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
  • Mark 14:19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?
  • Acts 15:2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.