While the Bible does not specifically state why the 11 disciples did not go to the tomb while the women did go, there are a few possibilities based on Scripture.
After examining these possibilities, the reason why the women did go to the tomb and the significance of them being the first ones to learn of the resurrection will be discussed.
While Christians today may wonder why the disciples were not present when the women found the empty tomb, they can be assured that everything worked out according to God’s perfect plan.
The Importance of Women
One possibility why the disciples did not go to the tomb was because they were afraid of what the Jews might do to them if they were caught. At Jesus’ betrayal and arrest, the disciples abandoned Jesus and ran for their lives (Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:50).
While Peter and John did follow Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest (John 18:15), Peter denied the Lord out of fear of being arrested or associated with Jesus (Luke 22:54-62).
From these passages, it is clear that the disciples were fearful and went into hiding once Jesus was arrested and sentenced to death.
The only disciple present at the crucifixion of Jesus was John, but all the other gospel accounts fail to mention the disciples at Jesus’ death (John 19:26).
The disciples were fearful of the Jewish leaders because of the possibility of being arrested or even killed since they knew that Jesus was sentenced to death by crucifixion.
Even on the day of the resurrection, the disciples remained in hiding. When Jesus appeared to the disciples after His resurrection, the Bible states,
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” (John 20:19, NIV, emphasis mine).
Therefore, it is possible that the 11 disciples did not go to the tomb because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Instead, they were focused on staying hidden as they grieved Jesus’ death.
Their fear is in sharp contrast to how they behaved once Jesus sent the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, at which point the disciples spoke out boldly about Jesus and the resurrection (Acts 2:14-41).
The Disciples’ Lack of Expectation
Not only is it possible that the disciples were fearful, but also it is evident that neither the disciples nor the women expected Christ to rise on the third day. Likely, the 11 disciples failed to go to the tomb with the women because they did not expect anything to happen.
Jesus had spoken of His resurrection multiple times during His ministry (Matthew 16:21; Mark 8:31; John 2:19). However, the disciples did not understand His words until after the resurrection (John 2:21).
The disciples on the road to Emmaus understood that something significant was associated with the third day of Jesus’ death, but the risen Christ had to explain to them about His role as Messiah and the significance of the resurrection (Luke 24:19-27).
Even when the women went to the tomb, the angel had to remind them of Jesus’ words which spoke directly about being raised from the dead (Luke 24:6-7). Only when the angels had reminded them did they remember Jesus’ teaching (Luke 24:8).
Although Jesus had predicted His death and resurrection many times, the disciples did not understand His teaching until after the resurrection (Mark 9:31-32; Luke 18:31-34). Hence, the disciples, and the women, did not expect Jesus to be resurrected.
Their failure to understand did not mean that Jesus had not taught them about His resurrection. In the past, they had failed to understand Jesus’ other teachings as well (Matthew 16:6-12; John 12:16).
God’s Plan for the Disciples
Ultimately, it was part of God’s plan for the disciples not to be the first ones at the tomb. God already knew that the Jewish leaders would concoct the lie that the disciples stole the body of Jesus (Matthew 28:12-13).
Even at the time that Matthew wrote his gospel, which was around AD 50 (roughly 20 years after the resurrection), the lie was still circulating that the disciples stole Jesus’ body and then claimed that He had been resurrected (Matthew 28:15).
If the disciples had been the first ones to the tomb, then this would have given more credibility to the “stolen body” lie.
Although this lie is still believed by some skeptics, the disciples’ reaction of going into hiding when Jesus was arrested and sentenced to death would argue otherwise.
Furthermore, there was no reason for them to steal Jesus’ body because they had not fully understood Christ’s teaching about His resurrection, thus they were not expecting Him to rise.
The fact that the disciples were not the first ones at the tomb validates the resurrection since it does not correspond with the lie the Jewish leaders had fabricated. God knew this, which is why the women, and not the disciples, were the first ones to the tomb on the original Easter Sunday.
The Women at the Tomb
The reason the Bible gives for the women going to the tomb on the third day of Jesus’ burial was to anoint the body of Christ (Mark 16:1). Special spices had been prepared for this purpose (Luke 24:1).
While Joseph and Nicodemus had wrapped the body and prepared it for burial with spices, it seems that the body had not been anointed because of Jesus’ quick burial before the beginning of the Sabbath day (Luke 23:53; John 19:38-42).
Interestingly, the anointing spices that the women brought to the tomb were meant to be “poured over a dead body to counteract the odor of decay and [served] as a symbolic expression of loving devotion” (John D. Grassmick, “Mark,” Bible Knowledge Commentary).
In their intent to anoint Jesus’ body, the women revealed their strong devotion and love for Christ. Just as they lovingly cared for Him during His earthly ministry (Luke 8:1-3), they also sought to make sure His body was well-cared for in death.
Because of their devotion to the Lord, they were the first to hear of the resurrection and to see the risen Christ (Matthew 28:5-10).
It was God’s will for the women to be the first ones at the tomb. Because the women were the first to find the empty tomb, the truth and reliability of the resurrection are strengthened. Women’s testimonies in court were not seen as legitimate during the New Testament times.
This aspect of first-century culture validates Jesus’ resurrection because if the writers of the gospels had invented the story of the resurrection, as many skeptics claim, they would not have chosen women to be the first ones to the tomb.
Instead, they would probably have chosen the disciples as the first ones present at the empty tomb, since men could serve as valid witnesses in court.
As it is, all four gospel accounts describe the women at the empty tomb first, giving credence to the fact that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1-4; Luke 24:1-3; John 20:1).
Who Were the First Witnesses of the Empty Tomb
As strange as it may seem that the 11 disciples were not the first ones to learn the news of the resurrection of Christ, the Bible consistently teaches that the women were the first ones to visit the empty tomb.
While there are possibilities as to why the disciples did not go to visit the tomb on that early morning, ultimately it was God’s will that the women, not the disciples, were the first witnesses of the empty tomb.
Like the 11 disciples, the women were not expecting Jesus to rise when they visited the tomb on the Sunday after Jesus’ death.
Instead, the women followers of Christ went to the tomb to lovingly anoint Jesus’ body, which signified their devotion to Him.
God used their love and act of devotion as the catalyst to reveal the most life-changing news in history: Jesus was resurrected and is indeed alive!
For further reading:
What Was the Purpose of the Angels at Jesus’ Tomb?
How Did Jesus Treat Women in the Bible?
How the Women in the Bible Were Revered, Respected, and Diverse
Why Didn’t the Disciples Recognize Jesus after His Resurrection?
What Is the Importance of the Empty Tomb?
Why Didn’t the Disciples Understand Some of the Parables of Jesus?
Should Christians Celebrate Easter?
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