201 And on the first of the sabbaths, Mary the Magdalene doth come early (there being yet darkness) to the tomb, and she seeth the stone having been taken away out of the tomb, 2 she runneth, therefore, and cometh unto Simon Peter, and unto the other disciple whom Jesus was loving, and saith to them, 'They took away the Lord out of the tomb, and we have not known where they laid him.' 3 Peter, therefore, went forth, and the other disciple, and they were coming to the tomb, 4 and the two were running together, and the other disciple did run forward more quickly than Peter, and came first to the tomb, 5 and having stooped down, seeth the linen clothes lying, yet, indeed, he entered not. 6 Simon Peter, therefore, cometh, following him, and he entered into the tomb, and beholdeth the linen clothes lying, 7 and the napkin that was upon his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but apart, having been folded up, in one place; 8 then, therefore, entered also the other disciple who came first unto the tomb, and he saw, and did believe; 9 for not yet did they know the Writing, that it behoveth him out of the dead to rise again.
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.