John 20:2 – “So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!’”
Extended Explanation
Mary Magdalene, after discovering the empty tomb, rushes to tell Simon Peter and John (the “disciple Jesus loved”). She assumes that Jesus’ body has been taken, not that He has risen. At this moment, she is overwhelmed by grief and confusion.
Her reaction is understandable. No one had ever risen from the dead in this way before. Though Jesus had predicted His resurrection (Mark 9:31), it was difficult for His followers to grasp. They had witnessed His brutal death and burial; now His body was gone, and they had no explanation.
Mary’s immediate response—running to tell others—is significant. Instead of keeping her discovery to herself, she seeks the help of trusted disciples. This moment marks the beginning of the spread of the news about the resurrection, even though she does not yet understand its full meaning.
Historical Context
In the first century, Jewish burial customs were strict. A body was wrapped in linen, covered with spices, and placed in a tomb. The tomb was then sealed with a heavy stone, often requiring multiple people to move it. Additionally, since Jesus had been condemned as a criminal, His tomb had been guarded by Roman soldiers to prevent any tampering (Matthew 27:62-66).
Grave robbery was a serious crime in ancient times, and tombs were often sealed to prevent it. When Mary saw the open tomb, her natural assumption was that someone had stolen the body. The thought of resurrection did not immediately come to mind. This reflects how difficult it was, even for Jesus’ closest followers, to understand that He had truly risen.
Theological Implications
Mary’s misunderstanding highlights a key truth: human reasoning alone cannot comprehend God’s plans. Even though Jesus had foretold His resurrection, His followers struggled to believe until they saw Him with their own eyes.
This verse also shows the importance of community in faith. Mary did not keep her distress to herself; she sought out Peter and John. Christianity has always been a faith that is shared, discussed, and lived out in community. When we face doubt, confusion, or fear, we are called to lean on others who follow Jesus.
Additionally, this verse foreshadows the moment when Jesus will reveal Himself to Mary. Her initial misunderstanding does not disqualify her from experiencing the truth. In the same way, God meets us in our doubts and leads us to faith.
Literary Analysis
John’s Gospel is known for its personal and emotional details. Here, we see urgency—Mary runs to tell the disciples. This detail captures the raw emotions of that moment: fear, shock, and desperation.
John also refers to himself as “the disciple Jesus loved.” This is not arrogance but rather humility—he identifies himself not by name, but by his relationship with Jesus. This phrase reminds readers that Jesus’ love is central to the Gospel.
Mary’s words—”they have taken the Lord”—show that she still sees Jesus as her Lord, even in death. Her devotion is clear, even though her understanding is incomplete.
Biblical Cross-References
- Luke 24:9-11 – The women tell the disciples about the empty tomb, but they don’t believe them at first.
- Matthew 28:7-8 – The angel tells the women to go and tell the disciples that Jesus has risen.
- John 20:13-15 – Mary later mistakes Jesus for the gardener, still thinking His body was taken.
- John 2:19-22 – Jesus had predicted His resurrection, but His disciples only understood later.
- Acts 2:32 – Peter later preaches about Jesus’ resurrection, fully understanding what happened.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
Like Mary, we can sometimes misunderstand what God is doing. We might assume the worst when things don’t go as expected. But God is always at work, even when we don’t see it right away.
This verse also reminds us of the importance of sharing our faith journey with others. Mary didn’t keep her discovery to herself—she ran to tell others. In the same way, when we encounter Jesus, we should be eager to share the good news with those around us.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God is patient with our misunderstandings. Even though Mary didn’t immediately understand the resurrection, Jesus didn’t reject her. Instead, He revealed Himself to her in His perfect timing.
This shows that God meets us where we are. Even when we don’t fully grasp His plans, He continues to work in our lives. His love is not based on our understanding but on His faithfulness.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus had promised He would rise from the dead (John 10:17-18), but even His closest followers struggled to believe it at first. This verse highlights the initial confusion that would later turn into joy when Jesus appeared to them.
- John 14:19 – Jesus promised, “Because I live, you also will live.”
- Luke 24:36-39 – Jesus appears to His disciples and proves He is alive.
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 – Paul affirms that Jesus’ death and resurrection were according to Scripture.
- Revelation 1:18 – Jesus declares, “I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever!”
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Why do you think Mary assumed that Jesus’ body had been taken rather than believing He had risen?
- Have you ever misinterpreted something God was doing in your life? How did you later see His plan more clearly?
- How does this verse challenge you to share your faith with others?
- What does this passage teach you about trusting God even when you don’t fully understand His plans?
- How can you strengthen your faith in Jesus’ resurrection and share its significance with those around you?
This verse is a reminder that faith is a journey. Even when we don’t understand everything at first, God is patient, and He leads us into truth. Jesus is alive, and that changes everything.