YHN 20:1 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) The following Sunday, Maria from Magdala went out to the tomb very early when it was still dark, and she saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Now early on the first of the week, being still dark, Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb and sees the stone having been rolled away from the tomb.

UST Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb where they had buried Jesus. She saw that someone had moved the stone away from the entrance to the tomb.

20:1 Literally Now on the first of the Sabbaths, early,

BLB Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb early, it being still dark, and she sees the stone having been removed from the tomb.

AICNT On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came early, while it was still dark, to the tomb and saw the stone removed from [[the door of]][fn] the tomb.

20:1, the door of: Some manuscripts include.

OEB On the first day of the week, early in the morning, while it was still dark, Mary of Magdala went to the tomb, and saw that the stone had been removed.

CSB On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.

NLT Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.

NIV Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.

CEV On Sunday morning while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.

ESV Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.

NASB Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb.

LSB Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb.

WEBBE Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went early, while it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.

WMBB Now on the first day of the week, Miriam Magdalene went early, while it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.

MSG Resurrection! (1-2) Early in the morning on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone was moved away from the entrance. She ran at once to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, gasping for breath. “They took the Master from the tomb. We don’t know where they’ve put him.”

NET Now very early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been moved away from the entrance.

LSV And on the first [day] of the weeks, Mary the Magdalene comes early (there being yet darkness) to the tomb, and she sees the stone having been taken away out of the tomb;

FBV Early on the first day of the week,[fn] while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been moved from the entrance.

20:1 That is, Sunday.

TCNT On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and she saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb.

T4T Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary, the woman from Magdala village, went to the burial cave with some other women. They saw that the stone had been removed {that someone had removed the stone} from the entrance to the cave.

LEB Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it[fn] was still dark, and saw the stone had been taken away from the tomb.

20:1 *Here “while” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was”)

NRSV Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.

NKJV Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.

NAB On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb.

BBE Now on the first day of the week, very early, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the place and saw that the stone had been taken away from it.

Moff On the first day of the week Mary of Magdala went early to the tomb, when it was still dark; but as she saw the boulder had been removed from the tomb,

Wymth On the first day of the week, very early, while it was still dark, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from it.

ASV Now on the first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, while it was yet dark, unto the tomb, and seeth the stone taken away from the tomb.

DRA And on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalen cometh early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre; and she saw the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

YLT And on the first of the sabbaths, Mary the Magdalene doth come early (there being yet darkness) to the tomb, and she seeth the stone having been taken away out of the tomb,

Drby And on the first [day] of the week Mary of Magdala comes in early morn to the tomb, while it was still dark, and sees the stone taken away from the tomb.

RV Now on the first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, while it was yet dark, unto the tomb, and seeth the stone taken away from the tomb.
(Now on the first day of the week cometh/comes Mary Magdalene early, while it was yet dark, unto the tomb, and seeth/sees the stone taken away from the tomb. )

SLT And in one of the sabbaths comes Mary Magdalene in the morning, there yet being darkness, to the tomb, and sees the stone taken away from the tomb.

Wbstr The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, to the sepulcher, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulcher.

KJB-1769 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
(The first day of the week cometh/comes Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre/tomb, and seeth/sees the stone taken away from the sepulchre/tomb. )

KJB-1611 ¶ The first day of the weeke, commeth Mary Magdalene earely when it was yet darke, vnto the Sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the Sepulchre.
(¶ The first day of the week, cometh/comes Mary Magdalene early when it was yet dark, unto the Sepulchre, and seeth/sees the stone taken away from the Sepulchre.)

Bshps The first day of ye Sabbothes, came Marie Magdalene early, whe it was yet darke, vnto the sepulchre, and sawe the stone taken awaye from the graue.
(The first day of ye/you_all Sabbathes, came Mary/Maria Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre/tomb, and saw the stone taken away from the grave.)

Gnva Nowe the first day of the weeke came Marie Magdalene, early when it was yet darke, vnto the sepulchre, and sawe the stone taken away from the tombe.
(Now the first day of the week came Mary/Maria Magdalene, early when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre/tomb, and saw the stone taken away from the tomb. )

Cvdl Vpon one daye of the Sabbath, came Mary Magdalene early (whe it was yet darcke) vnto the sepulcre, & sawe that the stone was take from the sepulcre.
(Upon one day of the Sabbath, came Mary Magdalene early (whe it was yet darcke) unto the sepulchre/tomb, and saw that the stone was take from the sepulchre/tomb.)

TNT The morow after the saboth daye came Mary Magdalene erly when it was yet darcke vnto the sepulcre and sawe the stone taken awaye from the toumbe.
(The morrow after the sabbath day came Mary Magdalene early when it was yet dark unto the sepulchre/tomb and saw the stone taken away from the tomb. )

Wycl And in o dai of the wouke Marie Maudeleyn cam eerli to the graue, whanne it was yit derk. And sche say the stoon moued awei fro the graue.
(And in o day of the wouke Mary/Maria Maudeleyn came early to the grave, when it was yet dark. And she say the stone moved away from the grave.)

Luth An der Sabbate einem kommt Maria Magdalena früh, da es noch finster war, zum Grabe und siehet, daß der Stein vom Grabe hinweg war.
(An the/of_the sabbaths on comes Maria Magdalena early, there it still dark was, for_the grave and see/look, that the/of_the stone from_the grave away was.)

ClVg Una autem sabbati, Maria Magdalene venit mane, cum adhuc tenebræ essent, ad monumentum: et vidit lapidem sublatum a monumento.
(Una however sabbath, Maria Magdalene he_came mane, when/with still darkness they_would_be, to monument: and he_saw a_stone sublatum from monument. )

UGNT τῇ δὲ μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων, Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ ἔρχεται πρωῒ, σκοτίας ἔτι οὔσης, εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ βλέπει τὸν λίθον ἠρμένον ἐκ τοῦ μνημείου.
(taʸ de mia tōn sabbatōn, Maria haʸ Magdalaʸnaʸ erⱪetai prōi, skotias eti ousaʸs, eis to mnaʸmeion, kai blepei ton lithon aʸrmenon ek tou mnaʸmeiou.)

SBL-GNT Τῇ δὲ μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ ἔρχεται πρωῒ σκοτίας ἔτι οὔσης εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ βλέπει τὸν λίθον ἠρμένον ἐκ τοῦ μνημείου.
(Taʸ de mia tōn sabbatōn Maria haʸ Magdalaʸnaʸ erⱪetai prōi skotias eti ousaʸs eis to mnaʸmeion, kai blepei ton lithon aʸrmenon ek tou mnaʸmeiou.)

RP-GNT Τῇ δὲ μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ ἔρχεται πρωΐ, σκοτίας ἔτι οὔσης, εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ βλέπει τὸν λίθον ἠρμένον ἐκ τοῦ μνημείου.
(Taʸ de mia tōn sabbatōn Maria haʸ Magdalaʸnaʸ erⱪetai prōi, skotias eti ousaʸs, eis to mnaʸmeion, kai blepei ton lithon aʸrmenon ek tou mnaʸmeiou.)

TC-GNT Τῇ δὲ μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ ἔρχεται πρωΐ, σκοτίας ἔτι οὔσης, εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ βλέπει τὸν λίθον ἠρμένον ἐκ τοῦ μνημείου.
(Taʸ de mia tōn sabbatōn Maria haʸ Magdalaʸnaʸ erⱪetai prōi, skotias eti ousaʸs, eis to mnaʸmeion, kai blepei ton lithon aʸrmenon ek tou mnaʸmeiou. )

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, orange:accents differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 20:1–10: Jesus’ body was not in the tomb

This section tells how Mary Magdalene went to Jesus’ tomb on Sunday morning and found that it was empty. So she went and told Peter and another disciple and they went to the tomb with Mary. They also saw that the body of Jesus was not there. All that they found were the cloths that had been around Jesus’ body. When the second disciple, probably John, saw, he believed.

Here are other possible section headings:

The resurrection of Jesus

Three of Jesus’ followers went to the tomb but it was empty

The empty tomb

Paragraph 20:1–2

Very early on the Sunday morning after Jesus’ death, Mary Magdalene went to Jesus’ tomb. She saw that the tomb was open, and she ran and told two disciples, Peter and probably John.

20:1a

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark,

¶ It was early in the morning on the first day of the week. Before there was light,
¶ It was Sunday morning before the sun rose.

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark: This time expression introduces the story of how Jesus’ followers learned that Jesus rose from the dead and was alive. It introduces this story by indicating the day and time of day. So this is the introduction to the climax or most important part of the book. Consider how it is natural to lead up to a significant change or climax. It may be natural to use short clauses or sentences, adding verbs. For example:

The first day of the week began. It was still dark when…

It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark.

The first day of the week arrived/began. It was not yet dawn.

See the General Comment following 20:1b for suggestions of how to rearrange this information.

Early…while it was still dark: The story begins very early in the morning, before the sun rose.Mark 16:2 talks about three women, including Mary Magdalene, going to the tomb “when the sun had risen.” However, this could mean that it was dark when they started and the sun had risen by the time they arrived. Or it could be referring to the second time that Mary Magdalene went to the tomb (see 20:11–17). See also Matthew 28:1. Use the expression that is natural in your culture to indicate this time period. It may be natural to combine the two expressions Early and while it was still dark. For example:

In the darkness of the early morning

Before the sun rose

Early: The Greek word that the BSB translates as Early here refers to a time at the beginning of a morning. It does not have the meaning “too soon.” In some languages it may be natural to say:

Early in the morning

At the start of the day

while it was still dark: This clause indicates that it was still so early that people could not see well. Translate this in a way that is natural in your language. For example:

before it was light

before becoming light

the sun had not yet risen

on the first day of the week: The Jews began their week with Sunday and ended it with Saturday. So the phrase the first day of the week refers to Sunday. You may want to include this information. It is important to do this if your readers consider that another day is the first day of the week. For example:

on Sunday morning (GW)

If you use footnotes, you may want to translate literally and indicate in a footnote that this refers to Sunday. For example:

This refers to Sunday.

20:1b

Mary Magdalene went to the tomb

Mary Magdalene went to the tomb.
Mary Magdalene went to the cave where they had buried Jesus.

Mary Magdalene went to the tomb: One of Jesus’ followers, Mary Magdalene, arrived at the cave where Jesus was buried. She probably traveled on foot, walking from the place where she was staying. The distance was likely less than a mile. Use the verb that is most natural in your language. For example:

Mary Magdalene came to the tomb (NRSV)

Mary Magdalene went walking to the burial cave.

Mary Magdalene: Mary Magdalene was present at the cross and watched Joseph and Nicodemus bury Jesus (Matthew 27:56, 61, Mark 15:47). The word Magdalene means “from the village called Magdala.” Translate this name as you did in 19:25. For example:

Mary of Magdala (REB)

Mariyam, the woman from Magdala (Yakan Back translation)

In your translation of this phrase, be aware that Mary did not come from Magdala that morning. She was originally from Magdala, but was probably staying in a house in Jerusalem. She did not have to go far to get to the tomb. It was in a garden close to the place where they crucified Jesus (19:41–42), which was just outside Jerusalem.

the tomb: The word tomb refers to the place where Jesus had been buried. Tombs in Jerusalem were usually man-made caves cut into the sides of rocky hills. Inside was a stone shelf for the body. The entrance to the tomb was a large hole that could be closed with a round stone. See how you translated the word tomb in 19:41b, 42b. Because this is the beginning of a new chapter, it may be natural to indicate which tomb this was. For example:

Jesus’ tomb

the tomb where they had buried/placed Jesus

General Comment on 20:1a–b

In some languages it may be natural to rearrange the information in these verse parts. For example:

^1a–bNow on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. (ESV)

^1a–bEarly on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb while it was still dark. (NCV)

20:1c

and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.

She saw that the stone that covered the entrance to the tomb had been moved aside.
There she saw that someone had opened the cave by taking/rolling away the stone from the entrance hole.

and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance: Mary Magdalene saw that there was no stone that blocked the entrance to the tomb. The hole that formed the entrance was open. Apparently the stone was now lying nearby (see Matthew 28:2). Mary understood that someone must have moved the stone. In some languages it is more natural to say what she actually saw. For example:

saw that the entrance of the tomb was now open. Someone had removed the stone.

saw that the stone was no longer in its place in front of the entrance to the tomb

This clause tells a very important part of the story in the book of John. What it tells is not expected. It may be natural to translate this important information as a separate sentence or sentences. For example:

Mary saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.

What she saw was that the tomb was open. The stone no longer covered the entrance hole.

Into her view/sight came/appeared the tomb. There was no stone at its entrance. It had been rolled away.

the stone had been removed from the entrance: This is a passive clause. An angel had moved the stone (Matthew 28:2), but Mary did not know this. It happened before she arrived (Mark 16:4, Luke 24:2). There are at least two ways to translate this clause:

Use a passive verb. For example:
the stone had been moved away from the tomb (NJB)
Use an active verb. For example:
Someone had rolled the stone away from the entrance.
The stone was no longer in front of the entrance to the tomb.
The stone was gone from the entrance hole to the tomb

stone: This word here refers to the large round stone that was used to close the entrance. Because this is the first time John mentioned the stone, it may be natural to tell what stone this is. For example:

the stone that was at the entrance to the tomb

In some languages it may be necessary to make explicit that the stone was large. It was so large that a person could not easily move it. For example:

the large stone (NCV)

from the entrance: This phrase here means “from the entrance to the tomb.” This entrance had been covered by a large stone or rock. The entrance was shorter than a door, but an adult man could enter if he stooped or bent down. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

from the entrance of the tomb/cave

from the hole where one entered the tomb/cave

General Comment on 20:1a–c

In some languages it may be natural to translate this verse using two or more sentences. Increase the tension and sense of mystery in a natural way before the mystery is solved. For example:

The first day of the week began to dawn. It was still dark out, but Mary Magdalene made her way to the tomb. There she saw that the stone that had covered the entrance was gone!

It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark, when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb. (NJB)

Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary from Magdala went to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb’s entrance. (GW)