John 20:18
Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's easy to overlook the quiet emphasis here: Mary didn't just say she saw the Lord, she specifically announced that He spoke these things to her. This detail highlights that her encounter wasn't merely a sighting, but a direct communication and commission from the risen Christ, a message she was entrusted to deliver.
Mary Magdalene, having just encountered the risen Jesus in the garden, rushes to tell the disciples the astonishing news that she has seen and spoken with the Lord. Her report, however, is met with disbelief, highlighting the disciples' initial struggle to accept the reality of Jesus' resurrection. This moment marks the very first witness to the risen Christ, granted to a woman who deeply loved Him.
Imagine the scene: the tomb is empty, the world is reeling, and a woman rushes with world-changing news. Who was this first messenger, and why her?
Mary Magdalene is the first to see the risen Jesus and is commissioned to announce His resurrection. This is a profound honor, especially considering the cultural norms of the time where a woman's testimony might not have carried the same weight as a man's.
Mary bursts in with the most incredible news imaginable. How do the very people she needs to convince react?
While Mary delivers her message with zeal, the disciples' immediate reaction is not immediate belief. They struggle to accept the resurrection.
Understand the original words
mathētēs · Greek Noun
Those who follow the teachings of a leader; in the New Testament, it refers specifically to the followers of Jesus Christ who are committed to His way of life.
kyrios · Greek Noun
A title of deity, sovereign authority, and majesty. It acknowledges Jesus as the supreme ruler and master, a confession that became central to the Christian faith.
Mary Magdalene's encounter, though met with initial disbelief by the other disciples, marks the very first human witness to the resurrected Christ, a testament to her devotion and Jesus's profound grace.
c. AD 30
Jesus Crucified and Buried
Jesus of Nazareth is executed by Roman authorities and buried in a tomb.
c. AD 30 (Easter Sunday Morning)— this verse
Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus is raised from the dead. Women, including Mary Magdalene, discover the empty tomb.
c. AD 30 (Easter Sunday Morning)
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene alone outside the tomb. He instructs her to tell the disciples.
c. AD 30 (Easter Sunday Morning)
Mary Reports Seeing Jesus
Mary Magdalene rushes to tell the disciples the news, but they initially disbelieve her report.
c. AD 30 (Easter Sunday Evening)
This passage directly corroborates John's account, noting Mary Magdalene's initial witness of the risen Christ and the disciples' disbelief in her report.
Luke 24:10-11Luke's Gospel also highlights Mary Magdalene as one of the women who brought the news of Jesus' resurrection to the apostles, echoing their initial skepticism.
1 Corinthians 15:5Paul's summary of the resurrection appearances includes Jesus appearing first to Mary Magdalene, emphasizing her unique role as the first witness.
John 20:11-17This immediate context shows Jesus appearing to Mary herself before she goes to the disciples, explaining the profound personal message she was eager to share.
vincentJohn 20:18: "Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her."
Came and told (ἔρχεται ἀγγέλλουσα)Literally, cometh telling.
cambridgeJohn 20:18: "Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her."
18 . came and told ] Better, cometh and telleth ; literally, cometh telling instead of the more usual ‘having come telleth.’ Thus as Mary’s love seems to have been the first to manifest itself ( John 20:1 ), so the first Manifestation of the Risen Lord is granted to her. It confirms our trust in the Gospel narratives to find this stated. A writer of a fictitious acc…
It's easy to overlook the quiet emphasis here: Mary didn't just say she saw the Lord, she specifically announced that He spoke these things to her. This detail highlights that her encounter wasn't merely a sighting, but a direct communication and commission from the risen Christ, a message she was entrusted to deliver.
Mary Magdalene, having just encountered the risen Jesus in the garden, rushes to tell the disciples the astonishing news that she has seen and spoken with the Lord. Her report, however, is met with disbelief, highlighting the disciples' initial struggle to accept the reality of Jesus' resurrection. This moment marks the very first witness to the risen Christ, granted to a woman who deeply loved Him.
Mary Magdalene, having just encountered the risen Jesus in the garden, rushes to tell the disciples the astonishing news that she has seen and spoken with the Lord. Her report, however, is met with disbelief, highlighting the disciples' initial struggle to accept the reality of Jesus' resurrection. This moment marks the very first witness to the risen Christ, granted to a woman who deeply loved Him.
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Jesus Appears to Disciples
Jesus appears to His disciples (minus Thomas) in Jerusalem, showing them His hands and side. He commissions them.
c. AD 30 (Easter Sunday Evening)
Disciples' Doubt and Belief
The disciples are initially fearful and disbelieving, even after seeing Jesus, but their faith grows.
"Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her." — It's easy to overlook the quiet emphasis here: Mary didn't just say she saw the Lord, she specifically announced that He spoke these things to her. This detail highlights that her encounter wasn'…
