John 20:13
"Woman, why are you weeping?" they asked. "Because they have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I do not know where they have put Him."
They asked her
This phrase introduces the dialogue between Mary Magdalene and the angels at the tomb. The Greek word for "asked" is "λέγουσιν" (legousin), which can also mean "said" or "spoke." This indicates a gentle inquiry rather than an interrogation. The angels' approach is compassionate, reflecting God's tender care for those in distress. In the context of the resurrection narrative, this question opens the door for Mary to express her grief and confusion, setting the stage for the revelation of Christ's victory over death.

Woman
The term "γύναι" (gynai) is used here, which is a respectful form of address. In the cultural context of the time, addressing Mary as "woman" is not dismissive but rather a formal and courteous way to engage her. This reflects the dignity and respect afforded to women in the biblical narrative, countering any cultural norms that might have marginalized them. It also echoes Jesus' own respectful address to His mother at the wedding in Cana (John 2:4).

Why are you weeping?
This question, "τί κλαίεις" (ti klaieis), is both compassionate and probing. It acknowledges Mary's sorrow while inviting her to consider the reason for her tears. In the broader scriptural context, weeping is often associated with mourning and loss, but here it is juxtaposed with the joy of the resurrection. The angels' question gently challenges Mary to look beyond her immediate grief to the hope and promise of new life in Christ.

She replied
The Greek word "λέγει" (legei) indicates that Mary is responding directly to the angels' inquiry. Her reply is an expression of her deep emotional turmoil and confusion. This interaction highlights the personal nature of the resurrection account, where individual encounters with the divine are central to the narrative. Mary's response is a testament to her devotion and love for Jesus, even in the face of uncertainty and despair.

They have taken my Lord away
Mary's statement reflects her misunderstanding of the situation. The phrase "ἦραν τὸν κύριόν μου" (ēran ton kyrion mou) reveals her belief that Jesus' body has been removed, which adds to her distress. The use of "my Lord" underscores her personal relationship with Jesus, emphasizing her loyalty and the depth of her loss. This moment captures the tension between human perception and divine reality, as Mary is on the brink of discovering the truth of the resurrection.

and I do not know where they have put Him
This continuation of Mary's statement, "καὶ οὐκ οἶδα ποῦ ἔθηκαν αὐτόν" (kai ouk oida pou ethēkan auton), conveys her sense of helplessness and confusion. The phrase "I do not know" highlights her lack of understanding, which is a common human experience when faced with the mysteries of God's work. This sets the stage for the revelation that will follow, as Mary's search for Jesus will soon be fulfilled in a way she could not have anticipated. Her words resonate with the longing and seeking that characterize the believer's journey toward faith and understanding.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Mary Magdalene
A devoted follower of Jesus, Mary Magdalene is the first to arrive at the tomb and discover it empty. Her deep sorrow reflects her love and dedication to Jesus.

2. Angels
Two angels appear in the tomb, sitting where Jesus' body had been. Their presence signifies divine intervention and the miraculous nature of the resurrection.

3. The Empty Tomb
The location of Jesus' burial, now empty, serves as the pivotal evidence of His resurrection, a cornerstone of Christian faith.

4. The Resurrection
The event of Jesus rising from the dead, which is central to Christian belief, demonstrating His victory over sin and death.
Teaching Points
The Reality of Grief
Mary Magdalene's weeping shows that grief is a natural response to loss. Christians can find comfort in knowing that God understands and cares about our sorrows.

Divine Encounters in Despair
The appearance of angels to Mary in her moment of despair illustrates that God often meets us in our darkest times, offering hope and reassurance.

The Importance of the Resurrection
The empty tomb is a testament to Jesus' victory over death. Believers are called to live in the power of the resurrection, embracing the new life it offers.

Seeking Jesus in Uncertainty
Mary's search for Jesus, even when she did not understand the situation, encourages believers to seek Christ persistently, trusting in His presence and guidance.

Witnessing the Resurrection
Mary Magdalene's role as the first witness to the resurrection highlights the importance of sharing the Good News. Christians are called to testify to the transformative power of the risen Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Mary Magdalene's reaction to the empty tomb reflect our own responses to loss and confusion in life?

2. In what ways can we be more aware of God's presence and comfort during times of grief and uncertainty?

3. How does the resurrection of Jesus Christ impact your daily life and faith journey?

4. What can we learn from Mary Magdalene's persistence in seeking Jesus, and how can we apply this to our spiritual walk?

5. How can you share the message of the resurrection with others in your community, and what impact might it have on their lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Luke 24:4-5
This passage also describes the appearance of angels at the tomb, emphasizing the divine announcement of Jesus' resurrection.

Mark 16:6
The angel's message to the women at the tomb confirms that Jesus has risen, reinforcing the truth of the resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Paul reiterates the importance of the resurrection, affirming it as a foundational truth of the Gospel.
LessonsNewman Hall, LL. B.John 20:11-18
Love in Tears; Or, Mary At the SepulchreJohn 20:11-18
Mary At the Empty TombDr. Beyschlag.John 20:11-18
Mary At the SepulchreDavid Davies.John 20:11-18
Mary Magdalene At the SelpulchreC. Short, M. A.John 20:11-18
Sorrow and Despondency Exchanged for Joy and ServiceJ.R. Thomson John 20:11-18
The Interview Between Jesus and MaryBp. Ryle.John 20:11-18
The Powers of Holy LoveB. Thomas John 20:11-18
Three Aspects of PietyD, Thomas, D. D.John 20:11-18
A Lost ChristF. J. Austin.John 20:12-13
Eyes Too Full of TearsH. W. Beecher.John 20:12-13
Heavenly AttireSamuel Rutherford.John 20:12-13
Mary: Needless TroubleJ. Parker, D. D.John 20:12-13
The Empty TombCanon Liddon.John 20:12-13
The Lost ChristC. Stanford, D. D.John 20:12-13
The Sorrow of DevelopmentH. Allon, D. D.John 20:12-13
The Weeping One to Weeping WomanhoodNewman Hall, LL. B.John 20:12-13
Weeping At the Wrong TimeSamuel Rutherford.John 20:12-13
People
Didymus, Jesus, Mary, Peter, Simon, Thomas
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Laid, Replied, Says, Spoke, Weep, Weepest, Weeping
Dictionary of Bible Themes
John 20:13

     5198   weeping

John 20:1-17

     2012   Christ, authority

John 20:8-18

     2555   Christ, resurrection appearances

John 20:10-14

     4112   angels, messengers

John 20:11-31

     9311   resurrection, of Christ

Library
May 20 Evening
Jesus saith unto her, Mary.--JOHN 20:16. Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by name: Thou art mine.--The sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name. And the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his.--We have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God.
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

September 5. "He Breathed on Them" (John xx. 22).
"He breathed on them" (John xx. 22). The beautiful figure suggested by this passage is full of simple instruction. It is as easy to receive the Holy Ghost as it is to breathe. It almost seems as if the Lord had given them the very impression of breathing, and had said, "Now, this is the way to receive the Holy Ghost." It is not necessary for you to go to a smallpox hospital to have your lungs contaminated with impure air. It is enough for you to keep in your lungs the air you inhaled a minute ago
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

October 9. "Peace be unto You" (John xx. 19, 21).
"Peace be unto you" (John xx. 19, 21). This is the type of His first appearing to our hearts when He comes to bring us His peace and to teach us to trust Him and love Him. But there is a second peace which He has to give. Jesus said unto them again, "Peace be unto you." There is a "peace," and there is an "again peace." There is a peace with God, and there is "the peace of God that passeth understanding." It is the deeper peace that we need before we can serve Him or be used for His glory. While
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Thomas and Jesus
'And after eight days, again His disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Then came Jesus.'--JOHN xx. 26. There is nothing more remarkable about the narrative of the resurrection, taken as a whole, than the completeness with which our Lord's appearances met all varieties of temperament, condition, and spiritual standing. Mary, the lover; Peter, the penitent; the two disciples on the way to Emmaus, the thinkers; Thomas, the stiff unbeliever--the presence of the Christ is enough for them all; it
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chaps. XV to XXI

The Resurrection Morning
'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. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid Him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chaps. XV to XXI

The Risen Lord's Charge and Gift
'Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto yon: as My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you. And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.'--JOHN xx. 21-23. The day of the Resurrection had been full of strange rumours, and of growing excitement. As evening fell, some of the disciples, at any rate, gathered together, probably in the upper
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chaps. XV to XXI

The Silence of Scripture
'And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.' --JOHN XX. 30, 31. It is evident that these words were originally the close of this Gospel, the following chapter being an appendix, subsequently added by the writer himself. In them we have the Evangelist's own acknowledgment of the incompleteness
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chaps. XV to XXI

The Lord is Risen Indeed
But now the Lord is risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. A s, in the animal economy [As, in the function of physical bodies], the action of the heart and of the lungs, though very different, are equally necessary for the maintenance of life, and we cannot say that either of them is more essentially requisite than the other; so, in the system of divine revelation, there are some truths, the knowledge and belief of which, singly considered, are fundamentals with respect
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Supposing Him to be the Gardener
It is not an unnatural supposition, surely; for if we may truly sing "We are a garden walled around, Chosen and made peculiar ground," that enclosure needs a gardener. Are we not all the plants of his right hand planting? Do we not all need watering and tending by his constant and gracious care? He says, "I am the true vine: my Father is the husbandman," and that is one view of it; but we may also sing, "My well-beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: and he fenced it, and gathered out the
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 29: 1883

The Evidence of Our Lord's Wounds
Among us at this day we have many persons who are like Thomas--dubious, demanding signs and tokens, suspicious, and ofttimes sad. I am not sure that there is not a slight touch of Thomas in most of us. There are times and seasons when the strong man fails, and when the firm believer has to pause a while, and say, "Is it so?" It may be that our meditation upon the text before us may be of service to those who are touched with the malady which afflicted Thomas. Notice, before we proceed to our subject
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 34: 1888

Easter Day.
Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. With this verse ends the portion of the scripture chosen for the gospel in this morning's service. It finishes the account of the visit of Peter and John to the sepulchre; and, therefore, the close of the extract at this point is sufficiently natural. Yet the effect of the quiet tone of these words, just following the account of the greatest event which earth has ever witnessed, is, I think, singularly impressive; the more so when we remember
Thomas Arnold—The Christian Life

Sermon for Thursday in Easter Week
How we ought to love God, and how Christ is a Master of the Eternal Good, wherefore we ought to love Him above all things; a Master of the Highest Truth, wherefore we ought to contemplate Him; and a Master of the Highest Perfectness, wherefore we ought to follow after Him without let or hindrance. John xx. 16.--"She turned herself and said unto Him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master." WHEN our Lord had risen from the dead, Mary Magdalene desired with her whole heart to behold our blessed Lord; and
Susannah Winkworth—The History and Life of the Reverend Doctor John Tauler

Sermon for the First Sunday after Easter
(From the Gospel for the day) How we are to ascend by three stages to true peace and purity of heart. John xx. 19.--"Peace be to you." PEACE be with you," said our beloved Lord to His disciples after His resurrection. All men by nature desire rest and peace, and are ever striving after it in all their manifold actions, efforts, and labours; and yet to all eternity they will never attain to true peace, unless they seek it where alone it is to be found,--in God. What, then, are the means and ways to
Susannah Winkworth—The History and Life of the Reverend Doctor John Tauler

The Eternal Manhood
(First Sunday after Easter.) John xx. 29. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed; blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. The eighth day after the Lord Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared a second time to his disciples. On this day he strengthened St. Thomas's weak faith, by giving him proof, sensible proof, that he was indeed and really the very same person who had been crucified, wearing the very same human nature, the very same man's
Charles Kingsley—Town and Country Sermons

The Higher Faith.
Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.--JOHN xx. 29. The aspiring child is often checked by the dull disciple who has learned his lessons so imperfectly that he has never got beyond his school-books. Full of fragmentary rules, he has perceived the principle of none of them. The child draws near to him with some outburst of unusual feeling, some scintillation of a lively hope, some wide-reaching imagination
George MacDonald—Unspoken Sermons

Thoughts Upon Self-Denyal.
THE most glorious Sight questionless that was ever to be seen upon the face of the Earth, was to see the Son of God here, to see the supreme Being and Governour of the World here; to see the Creator of all things conversing here with his own Creatures; to see God himself with the nature, and in the shape of Man; walking about upon the surface of the Earth, and discoursing with silly Mortals here; and that with so much Majesty and Humility mixed together, that every expression might seem a demonstration
William Beveridge—Private Thoughts Upon a Christian Life

Sixth Appearance of Jesus.
(Sunday, One Week After the Resurrection.) ^D John XX. 26-31; ^E I. Cor. XV. 5. ^d 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. ^f then he appeared to the twelve; ^d Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. [He came in the same manner and with the same salutation as formerly, giving Thomas a like opportunity for believing.] 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and see my hands; and reach hither thy hand,
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit as Revealed in his Names.
At least twenty-five different names are used in the Old and New Testaments in speaking of the Holy Spirit. There is the deepest significance in these names. By the careful study of them, we find a wonderful revelation of the Person and work of the Holy Spirit. I. The Spirit. The simplest name by which the Holy Spirit is mentioned in the Bible is that which stands at the head of this paragraph--"The Spirit." This name is also used as the basis of other names, so we begin our study with this.
R. A. Torrey—The Person and Work of The Holy Spirit

The Work of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Scriptures in the New Testament. "But these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name."--John xx. 31. Having considered the apostolate, we are now to discuss God's gift to the Church, viz. the New Testament Scripture. The apostolate placed a new power in the Church. Surely all power is in heaven; but it has pleased God to let this power descend in the Church by means of organs and instruments, chief
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Ambassadors for Christ
T. P. John xx. 21 "Who are these who come amongst us, Strangers to our speech and ways? Passing by our joys and treasures, Singing in the darkest days? Are they pilgrims journeying on From a land we have not known?" We are come from a far country, From a land beyond the sun; We are come from that geat glory Round our God's eternal throne: Thence we come, and thither go; Here no resting-place we know. Far within the depth of glory, In the Father's house above, We have learnt His wondrous secret,
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

Whether Sacred Doctrine Proceeds by Argument
Whether Sacred Doctrine Proceeds by Argument We proceed to the eighth article thus: 1. It seems that sacred doctrine does not proceed by argument. For Ambrose says: "where faith is sought, eschew arguments" (De Fid. Cath.), and it is especially faith that is sought in this doctrine. As it is said in John 20:31: "these are written, that ye might believe." It follows that sacred doctrine does not proceed by argument. 2. Again, if sacred doctrine proceeded by argument, it would argue either on the ground
Aquinas—Nature and Grace

Whether God Always Loves Better Things the More
Whether God Always Loves Better Things the More We proceed to the fourth article thus: 1. It seems that God does not always love better things the more. It is obvious that Christ is better than the entire human race. Yet according to Rom. 8:32 God loved the human race more than he loved Christ. "He that spared not his only Son, but delivered him up for us all . . ." Thus God does not always love better things the more. 2. Again, an angel is better than a man, according to Ps. 8:5: "Thou hast made
Aquinas—Nature and Grace

It was but a Little that I Passed by them when I Found Him whom My Soul Loveth. I Held Him; Neither Will I Let Him Go Until I Bring Him into My Mother's House, and into the Chamber of Her that Conceived Me.
The soul having thus come forth from self and left all creatures behind, finds her Well-beloved, who manifests Himself to her with new charms; which causes her to believe that the blessed moment for the consummation of the divine marriage is at hand, and that she is about to enter into permanent union. She exclaims in a transport of joy, I have found Him whom my soul loveth, I embrace Him and will never let Him go. For she thinks she can retain Him, and that He only left her on account of some fault
Madame Guyon—Song of Songs of Solomon

The Resurrection.
"Now on the first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, while it was yet dark, unto the tomb, and seeth the stone taken away from the tomb. She runneth therefore, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we know not where they have laid Him. Peter therefore went forth, and the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. And they ran both together: and the other disciple outran Peter, and
Marcus Dods—The Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of St John, Vol. II

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