Who was the first person to the tomb on Easter morning?

Answer 1

In Mark's Gospel, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome came together to the tomb. The young man was already there before them. The disciples did not go.

In Matthew's Gospel, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the tomb. Presumably the guards also looked and saw the tomb to be empty. Once again, the disciples did not go.

In Luke's Gospel, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James and other women came together to the tomb. Peter ran to the tomb to check their story.

In John's Gospel, Mary Magdalene came by herself to the tomb and saw the stone had been moved. Peter and the "disciple whom Jesus loved" then ran to the tomb to check her story. the disciple outran Peter and arrived at the tomb first, but it was Peter who first went into the tomb.

Answer 2

There is a different answer for each of the gospels:

• John's Gospel records that Peter entered the tomb of Jesus first (20:6). The beloved disciple followed Peter in.
• Luke's Gospel says the women from Galilee entered the tomb first (Luke 24:3). When told that the tomb was empty, Peter ran to the tomb and, looking inside, saw that it was indeed empty.
• Mark's Gospel says Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome entered the tomb first (Mark 16:5) although it also says there was already a young man inside the tomb. None of the disciples went to the tomb.
• Matthew's Gospel says that Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb but did not enter it, going away to tell the disciples what the angel had said. The disciples are not recorded as entering the tomb, and in any case would have been prevented from doing so by the guards posted at the tomb in this Gospel. Members of the watch and the priests must have entered it (Matthew 28:11).

Answer 3

Another answer, based on John's Gospel:

The Gospels record that the disciple Peter entered Jesus' tomb first.

Answer 4

Mary Magdalene arrived first and then notified the apostles that the tomb was empty.