John 20:18

John 20:18, in plain English

Mary runs to the disciples with the greatest news ever delivered: 'I have seen the Lord!' She becomes the first person to announce the resurrection.

Why it's here

In a culture that didn't value women's testimony, God chose Mary to be the first witness and preacher of the resurrection. Her words echo through history.

Who's speaking

Mary delivers the first Easter proclamation.

Where it sits in the story

Mary went to the tomb in tears and left with the greatest message in history: Jesus is alive. She becomes the first person to announce the resurrection—and her joy must have been beyond words.

The scholarly reading

Mary Magdalene obeys Jesus' commission and announces to the disciples that she has seen the Lord, becoming the first witness and preacher of the resurrection.

Language and setting

Mary's role as the first resurrection witness is historically significant: in a culture where women's testimony was devalued, God chose a woman as the first apostle (apostola apostolorum—'apostle to the apostles'). Her declaration 'I have seen the Lord' becomes the paradigmatic Easter confession.

Voice

Mary Magdalene delivers her testimony to the disciples.

Significance

Mary becomes the first evangelist of the resurrection. Her testimony 'I have seen the Lord' establishes the pattern for all subsequent Christian witness. God chose the grief-stricken woman at the tomb to be the first herald of humanity's greatest hope.

16Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

17“Do not cling to Me,” Jesus said, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and tell My brothers, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’”

18Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what He had said to her.

19It was the first day of the week, and that very evening, while the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you!” He said to them.

20After He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side.

Read all of John 20 — Mary weeping in a garden hears her name spoken by a voice she thought she'd lost forever. Then Jesus walks into a locked room: peace.