201 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb , while it was still dark , and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb . 2 So she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved , and said to them, " They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb , and we do not know where they have laid Him." 3 So Peter and the other disciple went forth , and they were going to the tomb . 4 The two were running together ; and the other disciple ran ahead faster than Peter and came to the tomb first ; 5 and stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings lying there; but he did not go in. 6 And so Simon Peter also came , following him, and entered the tomb ; and he saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7 and the face-cloth which had been on His head , not lying with the linen wrappings , but rolled up in a place by itself . 8 So the other disciple who had first come to the tomb then also entered , and he saw and believed . 9 For as yet they did not understand the Scripture , that He must rise again from the dead .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 20:1-9
Commentary on John 20:1-10
(Read John 20:1-10)
If Christ gave his life a ransom, and had not taken it again, it would not have appeared that his giving it was accepted as satisfaction. It was a great trial to Mary, that the body was gone. Weak believers often make that the matter of complaint, which is really just ground of hope, and matter of joy. It is well when those more honoured than others with the privileges of disciples, are more active than others in the duty of disciples; more willing to take pains, and run hazards, in a good work. We must do our best, and neither envy those who can do better, nor despise those who do as well as they can, though they come behind. The disciple whom Jesus loved in a special manner, and who therefore in a special manner loved Jesus, was foremost. The love of Christ will make us to abound in every duty more than any thing else. He that was behind was Peter, who had denied Christ. A sense of guilt hinders us in the service of God. As yet the disciples knew not the Scripture; they Christ must rise again from the dead.