The Empty Tomb
So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,” she said, “and we do not know where they have put Him!” John 20:2 · Berean Standard Bible
Mary runs to Peter and John in a panic: 'They've taken the Lord's body and we don't know where they've put Him!' She hasn't yet imagined the truth.
Mary's mind goes to the worst explanation: grave robbery. She doesn't yet dare to hope for what actually happened. Sometimes the truth is bigger than our fears.
Mary reports urgently to the disciples.
Mary's heart is breaking as she runs. She thinks someone has stolen Jesus' body. She has no idea that what she feared was a tragedy is actually the greatest victory in history.
Mary runs to Simon Peter and the beloved disciple, reporting that the body has been taken, using the plural 'we' which may indicate other women were present.
Mary's assumption is grave robbery, not resurrection. The plural 'we do not know' (ouk oidamen) suggests other women accompanied her, consistent with the Synoptic accounts. Her report to Peter and John mobilizes the apostolic investigation.
Mary Magdalene reports to Peter and the beloved disciple.
Mary's first interpretation is the most natural: someone has stolen the body. Her distressed report sends Peter and John running to the tomb, beginning the chain of eyewitness verification.
1Early 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.
2So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,” she said, “and we do not know where they have put Him!”
3Then Peter and the other disciple set out for the tomb.
4The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
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.
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