The
Gospels vary on how this event occurred. Three women arrive at Jesus’ tomb near
dawn, Mary Magdalene arriving first. Mary and the other women, instead of
finding Jesus’ body, are met by two young men who are angels.
One of them
announces Jesus’ resurrection. The women, fearful and joyful, leave the
garden—at first unwilling to say anything to anyone. In one of the Gospels they
are commanded to go to tell the apostles and rush to Galilee where they will
see Jesus.
In
John’s Gospel, Mary Magdalene is left alone in the garden wondering what
happened, sees the “gardener” then has a personal encounter with Jesus who
tells her to go and tell the other disciples. The women arrive and tell the
disciples that Jesus is risen.
Peter
and John rush to the tomb (based on Mary Magdalene’s report) and discover it empty.
In
Luke’s Gospel, that afternoon Jesus appears to Cleopas and a friend on the road
to Emmaus; later Jesus appears to Peter. That evening Jesus appears to the Ten
(minus Thomas) in a house (with locked doors) in Jerusalem.