while it was still dark
The mention of darkness not only sets the physical scene but also carries symbolic weight. Darkness often represents confusion, fear, or the absence of understanding in Scripture. In this context, it underscores the despair and uncertainty that Jesus' followers felt after His crucifixion. Yet, it is in this darkness that the light of the resurrection begins to dawn, offering hope and clarity. The Greek word "skotia" for darkness can also imply spiritual blindness, which is about to be dispelled by the revelation of the risen Christ.

Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene is a prominent figure in the resurrection narrative. Her presence at the tomb highlights her devotion and love for Jesus. Historically, Mary Magdalene is often misunderstood, but the Gospels portray her as a faithful disciple. Her role as the first to witness the empty tomb and later the risen Christ (as described in subsequent verses) underscores the radical nature of Jesus' ministry, which elevated the status of women in a patriarchal society. Her name, "Magdalene," indicates she was from Magdala, a town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee.

went to the tomb
Mary's journey to the tomb is an act of devotion and mourning. The Greek verb "erchomai," translated as "went," implies a deliberate and purposeful action. This reflects her commitment to Jesus, even in death. The tomb, a place of burial, becomes a site of revelation and transformation. Archaeological findings of first-century tombs in Jerusalem provide context for understanding the physical setting—a rock-hewn cave sealed with a large stone.

and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance
The removal of the stone is a pivotal moment, signifying that something extraordinary has occurred. The Greek word "airo," meaning "removed" or "taken away," suggests divine intervention, as the stone was large and would have required significant effort to move. This act is the first indication of the resurrection, challenging the finality of death. The empty tomb becomes a powerful symbol of victory over sin and death, affirming Jesus' promises and the hope of eternal life for believers.

(1) although, unlike the synoptists, he says nothing of the stone that was rolled to the door of the sepulcher, yet (ver. 1) he refers to the fact that (τὸν λίθον) the stone was taken up or away.

(2) Although he says nothing of the two groups of women, yet he implies that Mary Magdalene was not alone at the sepulcher (οὐκ οἴδαμεν): "We know not where they have laid him." With far greater particularity than St. Luke (Luke 24:12), he describes Peter's visit to the sepulcher, and gives further details of facts which occurred at more than one interview between our Lord and his apostles, of which Luke and Mark had given a more shadowy outline (cf. here vers. 19-25 with Luke 24:36, etc.; Mark 16:14). But we are not intending here to produce a history or harmony of these records, but to follow throughout the impressions produced by the Lord's self-manifestation upon the mind of the beloved disciple; not passing over the difficulties which his peculiar experiences have occasioned, when brought side by side with the synoptic and Pauline narratives. John first of all (vers. 1-10) describes how he came to believe personally in the resurrection of Jesus; then (vers. 11-18) the way in which the first manifestation was made to Mary of Magdala (vers. 19-23); how ten of the apostles, including himself, received a full and satisfying assurance of the stupendous fact (vers. 24-29); how once more, after an interval of eight days, not only Thomas, the most anxious, doubting, and incredulous of the eleven, but the entire group, came into full persuasion, not only of Christ's resurrection, but of his Divine nature and claims, his Messiahship and Sonship, and of their own personal possession of life in him and through him. Verses 1-10. -

(1) The process of John's own personal conviction, by the discovery that the sepulcher was deserted. Verse 1. - Now on the first day of the week (τῶν σαββάτων, σαββάτα, in the plural, is used for the whole of the week, sabbaton including in itself the various days that intervened between sabbath and sabbath, the first, second, third, etc. Μιᾷ here and in Luke 24:1 and Matthew 28:1 corresponds with the πρώτῃ. of Mark 16:9). All the evangelists agree about the day of the week, which thenceforward became the new beginning of weeks, "the Lord's day." Cometh Mary the Magdalene. Here all the evangelists are at one, although, judging from the synoptists, she must have been accompanied by other women. This is implied in the οἴδαμεν of ver. 2, though Meyer repudiates such a hint by the remark that, in addressing the angels, she uses the singular, οἴδα; but this difference rather confirms, than otherwise, the significance of the plural, when she first breaks on the ear of the astonished disciples the wondrous news. But when she is confronted by the angels she is manifestly alone, and speaks for herself. It is probable that Mary Magdalene had preceded the other women, driven by the intensity of her adoring love and abounding grief, and hence some slight divergency appears as to the time at which she started on her pilgrimage. While it was yet dark, early, in the depth of the dawn (Luke 24:1); before the breaking of full day, and λίαν πρωι'´, "exceeding early" of Mark, although, as he adds, after sunrise (ανατείλαντος τοῦ ἡλὶου). This latter expression is difficult to reconcile as a statement of identical time. But many simple suppositions would explain the discrepancy. The Magdalene's home may have been at a greater distance from the sepulcher, down in the shadows of the eastern hills, while the home of the other Marys may have been readily accessible to the sepulcher. After the great earthquake described by Matthew (Matthew 28:2), and the supernatural darkness of the day but one before, there is no incompatibility in the twofold statement that it was yet dark (not night), although the sun had risen. A deep pall may yet be hanging over the world and place which had held in its bosom the body of the murdered Lord of glory. (She) cometh to the sepulcher, obviously with the purpose stated by all the synoptics. She was bringing the spices which she, with others, had bought on the Friday evening. They would not be behind Nicodemus and Joseph in the expression of their boundless love. The critics make merry over the superfluousness of these women purchasing fresh spices when they must have known the lavish expenditure of the two rich men upon the same design. But the combination of the two statements is absolutely true to nature; it is exactly what women would do all the world over, and an evidence of the authenticity of both narratives. And seeth the stone taken away out of the sepulcher. This is all the information that St. John gives us, as antecedent to Mary's flight to Simon Peter and himself. We have to decide between three hypotheses: either . . .

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