Commentaries

Easter Sunday

Growing in Faith

Mary of Magdala came to the tomb “while it was still dark” (20:1). The physical darkness indicates the early hour of the day, which illustrates Mary’s eagerness to go to the tomb. However, it can also symbolize the darkness of her emotions and of her faith.[1] In the moment of darkness, she runs away from the tomb, the place of God’s action and Jesus’ glory. She also appears to think that others share her darkness of faith. She has gone to the tomb by herself, yet when she reports to Peter and the Beloved Disciple of what she has seen, she includes them, “We do not know where they have laid him” (20:2).[2]

As we read on, we would know of Mary’s growth in her faith, from the moment of darkness here, to recognizing the Lord (20:16), to becoming a witness of His Resurrection and a messenger of his words (20:18).

Peter and the Beloved Disciple, unlike Mary, run toward the tomb, the place of God’s action and Jesus’ glory. They see the empty tomb, with the evidence that death has been defeated (more on this below) and believe (20:8). They have moved from no faith to faith.[3] Yet, the passage ends with them returning to their home (20:9).

On the signs of death being conquered:

“When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place” (20: 6-7)

This detail show the contrast between Jesus’ resurrection and the raising of Lazarus. When Lazarus came out of the tomb at Jesus’ command, his hands and feet were tied with burial bands, and his face was wrapped in a cloth (11:44). The Risen Lord is not restrained by such signs of death. He has conquered death. His victory is complete.

Fr. Francis Moloney, SDB, reads the use of the passive voice of the verbs in verse 1 (the stone “removed”) and here in 20:7 (“the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place”) as “[reinforcing] the impression that God has entered the story.”[4]

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[1] Moloney, Francis, S.D.B., The Gospel of John. Sacra Pagina series. Liturgical Press, 1998, p. 518.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid., 520.

[4] Ibid.