The Resurrection

At last, we are on safe ground as to the day of the week. More important than when Jesus died is that he arose. It was a new world for mankind as this new week began.

The synoptics give us an overview statement as a headline for the story that is about to be given. They begin with the women who now prepare to visit the tomb. Though they list Mary Magdalene with the other women in their overview, it seems from the report of John that she went earlier than the others to the tomb. Also, it is assumed that the other Mary is the mother of James.

We don’t know the exact time or the magnitude of the earthquake—or whether it was localized or felt over a larger area. Its source is listed, however. It was the arrival of the angel to roll back the stone to reveal Jesus’s absence. This occurred in the pre-dawn hours. John tells us that Mary Magdalene arrived while it was still dark and according to Matthew, the guards had already gone to report the event to the priests. Meanwhile, in the gray dawn of the day’s initial light, the other women were apparently beginning to gather their supplies for their trip to the tomb.

We are only left with speculation as to why Mary Magdalene arrived at the tomb before the others. Perhaps she was staying in Jerusalem while the others were in Bethany. If so, it would have been easier to meet them there. Jerusalem would have been crowded with visitors. Each may have had friends or family with whom she stayed, rather than being together.

Though she may have arrived early at the tomb because she was impatient to be about their task, she didn’t wait for the women once she found the tomb empty. When she discovered Jesus’s body was gone, she panicked. Immediately, she ran to find Peter and report what she thought was its theft. How far did she run? We aren’t told, but before the Passover, Jesus and the disciples were in Bethany. We have no reason to believe they were not still at the home of Lazarus, which would have been some distance from where Jesus was buried.

Since John may have only been a young teenager, we would expect him to outdistance Peter. When he arrived at the tomb, however, he waited for Peter before entering. Again, this would have been before Jesus appeared to anyone. Probably by then it was about dawn.

It seems strange that Peter and John left and Mary stayed. Did she stay because she knew the other women were on their way? This would seem the best guess. Shortly after Peter and John left, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene. Mark states the fact almost as an afterthought; John gives the details.

Here we have a difficult passage to understand. Jesus tells Mary Magdalene to not touch—or hold on to—him because he had not ascended to the Father. Shortly, however, he accepts the embrace of the whole group. Furthermore, the gospel statement is that he ascended forty days later after several had “touched” him. The idea that Jesus sort of zipped back and forth between heaven and earth is an assumption we make. It might be a correct assumption, but it isn’t a textual statement. Thus, surely, his prohibition had nothing to do with mere physical contact. What then is the answer? Jesus may have been telling Mary that the past relationship between him and those of his close following had ended and that their new relationship would only be possible with the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Apparently, the other women arrived as Mary Magdalene was being consoled by Jesus and didn’t initially see them. Mark and Luke tell the story from their perspective. Their attention went immediately to the open tomb. If Mary was noticed by them in the early morning light, they didn’t recognize the one with whom she was speaking. Seeing the open tomb, they would have naturally ignored everything else as they rushed to see what had happened. Considering the fact that Jesus appeared to the group, he and Mary were most likely there all along as the newcomers rushed into the tomb to investigate.

It seems that Jesus greeted the women as they exited from the tomb. If this is the chain of events, Mary Magdalene would have been with him, noticed for the first time by the other women. Not only had an angel told the women of the resurrection, but now, Jesus’ presence confirmed it.

When Mark refers to the women, this would include Mary Magdalene. He doesn’t seem that concerned with identifying them individually. It is easy to get confused as the actual order of events as the various women made their way to the tomb to finish the preparation of Jesus body for permanent burial. John clearly states that Mary Magdalene came alone during the night and found the tomb empty.

Matthew says Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James, came to the tomb. Reading only this text, we are prone to assume they came together, but Matthew doesn’t say that. From other reports, this seems to be a reference to two separate groups. Mark tells us that Salome was also involved. Luke tells us that there were other unnamed women.

Mark talks about three of them, including Mary Magdalene coming to the tomb early in the morning. Again, this may be his headline, giving those who came, rather than saying they arrived together. The difficulty in this, however, is that he says “they” were discussing how they would move the stone. If the “they” included Mary Magdalene—who he lists initially—why doesn’t she tell them it was gone? Who then is Mark speaking of when he says “they” were discussing among themselves?” Mark doesn’t tell us, but Luke mentions other unnamed women who were involved. Thus, Mark may have also listed the principals involved at the first, including Mary Magdalene, even if she went to the tomb separately. The “they” of which he speaks may have only been Mary and Salome, or it could have been more.

How many times did Mary Magdalene go to the tomb? It seems to be twice. Once initially, and shortly thereafter with Peter and John as they came based on her report. Thus, it seems that the order of the events was as follows:

1. During the pre-dawn hours, there is an earthquake and the stone is rolled away, causing the panic and exit of the guards.

2. While it is still dark, Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb and finds it empty. She reports this to Peter and John.

3. Peter and John run to the tomb, followed by Mary Magdalene. They, too, find it empty.

4. Peter and John leave, but Mary Magdalene remains and is visited by Jesus, who prevents her touch. We have no report given as to when she leaves. Most likely she stayed until the others arrived, because Matthew only mentions her and the other Mary and says they were greeted by Jesus and worshiped him.

5. Still before dawn, Mary, the mother of James, Salome, and others unnamed, go to the tomb. Upon arrival, they find two angels who advise them that Jesus is risen. It seems that Mary Magdalene is still there.

6. While the women are leaving to tell the disciples, the guards report to the officials.

7. As they are leaving, they meet Jesus, whom they worship.

8. They report the resurrection to the others but are not believed.

9. Peter goes again to the tomb and finds it empty. Paul says that Jesus appeared to Peter, but we have no record of it here. Perhaps it was at this time.