John 20:1 - Printer Friendly

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.

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.

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 removed from the tomb.

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.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Now on 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.

Days prior to this moment, Jesus was brutally maimed, crucified, and buried in a borrowed crypt (John 19:33–34, 38–42). In his typical style, John skips over details which other gospel writers include. Jesus burial was witnessed by some of the women who followed Him (Matthew 27:61). The tomb, itself, was marked and guarded to prevent the disciples from stealing the body and inventing a phony resurrection (Matthew 27:62–66). Jesus' burial was hasty since He died as a Sabbath day was approaching (John 19:42). Nicodemus and Joseph made rough preparations (John 19:39–40), but Jesus' followers intended to come later and give His body a thorough, respectful treatment.

Only a few events in the four gospels are tied to an explicit day of the week. This scene occurs on a Sunday, prior to dawn. What is discovered on this day is the reason followers of Jesus began to meet and worship on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2).

Mary Magdalene was healed by Jesus from demonic possession (Luke 8:2). She is clearly loyal to Christ during His ministry, being one of the few friends to witness His execution (John 19:25). Despite secular conspiracy theories, there is no evidence Mary had any more complex relationship with Jesus other than that. Her inclusion here is still extraordinary, in the context of ancient literature and religion. In that era, women were dismissed as both morally and mentally inferior to men. However, it will be women who first witness proof of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

John 20:1–10 includes the first moments in which Jesus' followers realize He has been resurrected. Mary Magdalene brings Peter and John to the grave after finding it open. John sees the empty grave wrappings and realizes what has happened. Mary will remain behind and encounter a pair of angels, as well as Jesus, soon after. John's chosen details complement those found in Matthew 28:1–10, Mark 16:1–8, and Luke 24:1–12.

Peter and John get a report from Mary Magdalene that Jesus' body is gone. They arrive to find an open grave, and empty grave clothes, along with a folded face cloth. When the two men leave, Mary remains and suddenly encounters a resurrected Jesus. Though she tells the others, they resist believing until they see Jesus in person. Thomas is especially stubborn, and Jesus remarks on how blessed they are to have been given so much proof. John points out that his writing is meant to prove that Jesus is the Messiah, arranged to encourage those who read to come to faith.

Most of Jesus' disciples scattered and hid when He was arrested (Matthew 26:56). Only John and some women were present to see His death and burial (John 19:26–30, 41–42; Matthew 27:60–61). When Jesus' tomb is seen empty, there is further confusion. Jesus appears to His followers, proving that He is alive, and remarking that they are blessed to have so much proof. John will complete his account in the next chapter with another encounter and more reminders about the nature of his writing.

The gospel of John was written by the disciple John, decades later than the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The author assumes that a reader is already familiar with the content of these other works. So, John presents a different perspective, with a greater emphasis on meaning. John uses seven miracles—which he calls “signs”—in order to prove that Jesus is, in fact, God incarnate. Some of the most well-known verses in all of the Bible are found here. None is more famous than the one-sentence summary of the gospel found in John 3:16.