The “other disciple” who is unnamed could have been Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, or an unknown disciple, but was most likely John, the beloved disciple. Note the similarities of this verse with the way John describes himself in (John 20:2-4, 8, 21:24). This person must have been a member of the high priest’s circle, either a member of his family, of priestly birth, or one who stood in close relations with Annas’ family. It is quite possible that John came from a priestly family. Salmone, who stood at the foot of the cross of Jesus, appears to be the mother of John when we compare these two verses: (Mark 15:40, Matt 27:56) even though John doesn’t mention either Salmone nor his mother. But he does speak of Mary’s sister (John 19:25) in such a way as to lead to the conclusion that she is Salmone. Since Mary was related to Elizabeth who was in turn of priestly birth (Luke 1:36, 1:5), John was probably of a priestly family and could easily have had connections with the family of Annas.

John 20:2-4  So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”  So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb.  Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.

John 20:8  Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.

John 21:24  This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

compare Mark 15:40  Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.

with Matthew 27:56  Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

John 19:25  Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

Luke 1:36  Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.

Luke 1:5  In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.

The real miracle of this verse is the courage of Peter and the other disciple. After all is lost and all have fled, they are still following their Master, even into the den of their enemies. Would you have had such courage?