The term "outran" appears in the context of the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of John, and is used to describe a moment of urgency and devotion among the disciples of Jesus Christ. The word is derived from the Greek verb "protrechō," which means to run ahead or to surpass in speed.

Biblical Context

The most notable occurrence of "outran" is found in John 20:4, which describes the events following the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The passage reads:

"So they both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first." (John 20:4)

This verse is part of the narrative where Mary Magdalene discovers the empty tomb and informs Peter and the "other disciple," traditionally understood to be John, the author of the Gospel. The two disciples immediately set out for the tomb to verify her report.

Interpretation and Significance

The act of outrunning Peter by the "other disciple" is often interpreted as a demonstration of youthful vigor and eagerness to witness the fulfillment of Jesus' promise of resurrection. This moment highlights the deep love and devotion the disciples had for their Master, as well as their desire to understand the miraculous events unfolding before them.

From a theological perspective, the passage underscores the theme of resurrection as the cornerstone of Christian faith. The urgency with which the disciples run to the tomb reflects the transformative power of the resurrection, which compels believers to seek and proclaim the risen Christ.

Symbolic Meaning

In a broader sense, the act of outrunning can symbolize the spiritual race that believers are called to run with perseverance and faith. The Apostle Paul frequently uses the metaphor of a race to describe the Christian life, urging believers to "run in such a way as to get the prize" (1 Corinthians 9:24).

The narrative of John 20:4 serves as a reminder of the importance of spiritual zeal and the pursuit of truth. It encourages Christians to approach their faith with the same fervor and dedication as the disciples who ran to the empty tomb.

Historical and Cultural Context

In the first-century Jewish culture, running was not a common practice for adult men, especially those of status, as it was considered undignified. The fact that both Peter and the "other disciple" ran to the tomb indicates the extraordinary nature of the situation and their deep commitment to Jesus.

The Gospel of John, written in the late first century, reflects the early Christian community's emphasis on the resurrection as the pivotal event in salvation history. The account of the disciples running to the tomb would have resonated with early Christians, who faced persecution and needed encouragement to remain steadfast in their faith.

Conclusion

The use of "outran" in John 20:4 captures a moment of profound significance in the Christian narrative. It illustrates the disciples' devotion and the urgency of the resurrection message, serving as an enduring example for believers to pursue their faith with passion and determination.(imp.) of Outrun.7323. ruts -- to run
... runs (1), courier runs to another (1), couriers (6), dash to and fro (1), guard
(6), guards (7), guards' (2), hurriedly brought (1), outran* (1), quickly ...
/hebrew/7323.htm - 6k

6440. panim -- face, faces
... 1), length* (1), lifetime (1), long (2), meet (6), mind (4), mouth (1), old (1),
open (15), openly* (1), opposite* (5), ours (1), outer (1), outran* (1), over ...
/hebrew/6440.htm - 8k

The Testament of Judah Concerning Fortitude, and Love of Money ...
... I seized upon the roes in the chase, and all that was in the plains I outran.
A wild mare I outran, and I caught it and tamed it ...
/.../iv the testament of judah concerning.htm

Sermon.
... But this one outran the other, and the eye of the watchman on the roof of the chamber
caught sight of this single figure hastening over the plain, and then of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/wright/is the young man absalom safe/sermon.htm

Sunday --The Day of Resurrection.
... And they ran both together: and the other disciple outran Peter, and came first
to the tomb; and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths lying; yet ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his last week/sundaythe day of resurrection.htm

The Resurrection.
... And they ran both together: and the other disciple outran Peter, and came first
to the tomb; and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths lying; yet ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/xxii the resurrection.htm

And While they Marvelled at That, Behold, Two Men Standing Above ...
... [3715] And they hastened both together: and that disciple [12] outran [3716] Simon,
and came first to the sepulchre; [3717] and he looked down, and saw the [13 ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section liii and while they.htm

The Choice of the Twelve
... no gospel to the poor, and that He was frequently conveyed by water from point to
point, easily reached by followers, who sometimes indeed outran Him upon foot ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 3 7-19 the choice of.htm

Peter Alone with Jesus
... John was content with looking, just as he afterwards was content to sit in the boat
and say, 'It is the Lord.' But John's faith, too, outran Peter's, and he ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/peter alone with jesus.htm

In Wisdom Let us Hearken to Death, O My Beloved: How He Accuses us ...
... 23. I have seen bribery and marvelled at it, that ran and outran me: how
many slain does bribery, slay, and none perceives!"24. ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn lxi in wisdom let.htm

The Empty Tomb.
... And they ran both together: and the other disciple outran Peter, and came first
to the tomb; and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths lying; yet ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the empty tomb.htm

On the Death of a Sunday School Teacher.
... Accounted all things loss. Think with what power he spake,. While tears his words
outran,. As though his very heart would break. With love to God and man. ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn cccxxxiii on the death.htm

Outran (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Outran (3 Occurrences). John 20:4 They both ran together.
The other disciple outran Peter, and came to the tomb first. ...
/o/outran.htm - 7k

Ran (100 Occurrences)
... John 20:4 They both ran together. The other disciple outran Peter, and came
to the tomb first. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/r/ran.htm - 35k

Outrageous (1 Occurrence)

/o/outrageous.htm - 7k

Outright (1 Occurrence)

/o/outright.htm - 6k

Cushite (15 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 18:23 "But come what may," he said, "I will run." He said to him, "Run!"
Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Plain, and outran the Cushite. ...
/c/cushite.htm - 14k

Cushi (7 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 18:23 "But come what may," he said, "I will run." He said to him, "Run!"
Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Plain, and outran the Cushite. ...
/c/cushi.htm - 10k

Sepulcher (48 Occurrences)
... sepulcher. (WBS). John 20:4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple
outran Peter, and came first to the sepulcher. (WBS). ...
/s/sepulcher.htm - 20k

Ahimaaz (15 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 18:23 "But come what may," he said, "I will run." He said to him, "Run!"
Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Plain, and outran the Cushite. ...
/a/ahimaaz.htm - 14k

Ahead (98 Occurrences)
... voice. (See NAS NIV). John 20:4 They both ran together. The other disciple
outran Peter, and came to the tomb first. (See NAS). Acts ...
/a/ahead.htm - 33k

Happens (32 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 18:23 "But come what may," he said, "I will run." He said to him, "Run!"
Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Plain, and outran the Cushite. (See NAS). ...
/h/happens.htm - 15k

Outran: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus