Was Mary Magdalene the first one to see that Jesus was not in the tomb?

Answer 1

History of The Bible will show that a few women who stand in the shadow of the men with whom they are linked, and have proven to be very significant in most stages of their experiences. So it is my belief that these two women were his confidants.

Answer 2

In Matthew's Gospel, Mary Magdalene first met the risen Jesus on her way back to tell the disciples what the angel had said (28:9): "And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him." Clearly, she and the other Mary recognised him immediately.

In John's Gospel, Mary Magdalene first met the risen Jesus when she went to the sepulchre a second time and stood there weeping. She saw Jesus but believed him to be the gardener (20:14): "And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus."

Answer 3

Christians have a great deal of difficulty with questions like this, because there are so many answers:

• Matthew's Gospel says that Mary Magdalene was one of two women who went to the tomb, but were met outside by an angel, who told them that Jesus was risen. They did not see this for themselves, but met Jesus on the road away from the tomb.
• Mark's Gospel says that Mary Magdalene was one of two women who entered the tomb and saw that Jesus was missing. Apart from an unidentified young man who obviously already knew that Jesus was missing, the two women were the first to actually see the empty tomb.
• In Luke's Gospel, certain women went to the tomb, entered and saw that Jesus was missing. Two men, apparently angels, told the women that Jesus was risen. Verse 10 lists the women who reported the event as including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James.
• John's Gospel says that Mary Magdalene, apparently alone, went to the tomb and saw the stone had been moved. The Gospel does not record her as looking in, but states that she ran to tell the disciples.

So, one gospel says that she did not see inside the tomb, but was told that Jesus was not there; two gospels tell us that the women were definitely the first to see that Jesus was not in the tomb, with Mary Magdalene one of those present; and one gospel says that Peter and the beloved disciple were the first to see inside the empty tomb.

Answer 4

Another answer from our community: No. She is recorded as the first to see the risen Christ, but not necessarily the first to find that the tomb was empty.