John 20:1-10 The first day of the week comes Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, to the sepulcher… I. THE FIRST WITNESS — Mary of Magdala (ver. 1-3). 1. Her qualifications. A Galilean woman who had — (1) Enjoyed a rich experience of Christ's healing power (Luke 8:2; Mark 16:2). (2) Spent many months in His society (Matthew 27:55). (3) Witnessed His crucifixion, taken part in His burial, and passed some part of the night sitting over against the sepulchre (Matthew 27:56-61; Mark 15:40-47). (4) And thus was not likely to be mistaken. 2. Her deposition. (1) That she went to the sepulchre on the morning of the first day of the week — not alone (ver. 2), but accompanied by Mary, &c. (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1: Luke 24:10). On the way they talked about the difficulty of removing the stone; their intention being to complete the work of embalming. (2) That on approaching the tomb she observed the stone rolled away, but did not proceed further, so she saw neither the angel without (Matthew 38:2), nor the young man within (Mark 16:5), the two in shining garments (Luke 24:4) whom her companions beheld. (3) That the instant she saw the stone rolled away she believed the tomb to be empty, thinking probably that the body had been removed by friends or foes; it is not evident that she believed as yet that Christ was risen. (4) That having arrived at this conclusion she fled to Simon and John. II. THE SECOND WITNESS — Simon Peter. 1. His recommendations. (1) A man, and therefore less likely than Mary to be the sport of feelings or imagination. (2) Of mature judgment — the mercurial temperament of youth being sobered in the man of forty. (3) A disciple who had enjoyed Christ's friendship for at least two years. 2. His declaration. (1) That on learning Mary's news, he started with John for the sepulchre; that John arrived first, but, too timid to enter, he found Him standing by the door; but that he without fear or hesitation stepped in and surveyed the situation. (2) That he perceived the grave clothes had been carefully disposed. As Peter had not seen "a vision of angels" there is no reason to suppose that his faculties were too disturbed to note things exactly. (3) That he reached the conclusion that whatever had become of the body it had been removed in an orderly manner. It is doubtful whether he got beyond this. III. THE THIRD WITNESS — "The other disciple" (ver. 8). 1. His excellencies. (1) If younger than Peter, less forward, and much calmer in judgment. (2) Of finer sensibilities, therefore better fitted to discern what related to Christ. (3) A disciple who had specially enjoyed Christ's love, and therefore one who had the highest interest in ascertaining the truth. (4) A spectator of the Crucifixion, and so one who could testify to the reality of Christ's death. 2. His testimony. (1) That before Peter's arrival he had stooped down, and looking in saw the linen cloths lying about. (2) That, emboldened by Peter, he had entered in and examined the cave. (3) That in this examination he perceived what refer had, the carefully-folded napkin in a place by itself. (4) That in consequence of what he saw he believed Christ was risen. Lessons: 1. The devotion of woman to Christ — exemplified in Mary. 2. The mourning of a saintly heart over a dead Christ — again exhibited in the Magdalene. 3. The unconscious influence of one soul upon another — illustrated in Peter's over John. 4. The different degrees of evidence that in different souls are required to produce faith — witnessed in John and Peter. (T. Whitelaw, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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