Mark 16:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Similarly, it is unlikely that Peter, who was once the first to declare Jesus as the Son of God, and who had now learned from the Myrrh-bearers that an angel had specifically instructed him regarding the Lord’s resurrection, remained in his previous state of confusion — a reaction inconsistent with his typically steadfast nature. Instead, it is plausible that Peter had started to embrace the truth of the Lord’s resurrection, although this newfound faith brought him more bewilderment than joy. Had the Risen Lord been as approachable as before, Peter would have sought Him out and pleaded for forgiveness for his betrayal. Yet, that was not the case. The Lord sends His messengers and reveals Himself in remarkable ways according to His will and to those He chooses. In this moment, Peter realizes that the Lord seems to have set him aside; he was not the first to receive His appearance.

Mark recounts the angelic announcement to the women regarding the Lord’s resurrection, and begins detailing the post-resurrection appearances of Christ, noting specifically the Lord’s first appearance to Mary Magdalene. However, Mark does not elaborate on the specific circumstances of this encounter but highlights that it was the initial appearance and that the disciples were skeptical of Mary Magdalene’s proclamation.

On the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene arrived at the tomb and discovered that the stone had been rolled away. Convinced that the body of her cherished Teacher had been taken, she rushed to inform Peter and John, for she did not pause to investigate further. It is likely she encountered her companions en route and shared her grave concerns with them. Presuming these friends had reached similar conclusions about the Lord’s body, she approached the apostles, saying on behalf of all the women, “We have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where we have laid Him.” Prompted by her words, Peter and John quickly set off with her to the tomb, with young John arriving first. He bent down to peer inside but did not enter, merely observing the burial cloths lying within. Peter arrived shortly after and entered the tomb decisively. John followed him inside, where they saw the linen wrappings that had enveloped Jesus’ body and the head cloth, neatly arranged – a clear indication that no theft had occurred. Nevertheless, this scene affected them differently; John immediately believed (John 20:8), while Peter remained perplexed by the events (Luke 24:12). After examining the tomb, Peter and John returned to their homes, leaving Mary alone at the tomb. Overwhelmed by sorrow and still convinced that the Lord had been taken away, she wept, leaning into the tomb where she perceived two angels in white. Her grief overshadowed the miraculous sight, and when they asked her, “Woman, why do you weep?” she replied, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”

After speaking with the angels, she turned and saw Jesus standing there, yet she did not recognize Him, mistaking Him instead for the gardener. When He inquired about her tears, she pleaded, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him.” Jesus then called out, “Mary!” This tender utterance opened her eyes, and with joyful recognition, she exclaimed, “Rabbuni!” She was about to embrace His feet, but Jesus instructed her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father.” The meaning of this statement can be understood in two ways: either as a directive not to physically touch Him, implying He was not merely a vision or spirit devoid of physical form, awaiting His ascent to the Father; or conversely, as an admonition not to hold onto Him as if He were about to vanish, for He still had much to fulfill before ascending to the Father. He instructed her, “Go to My brethren and say to them, I ascend to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.”

Not recognizing them, she shared her sorrow, saying, “They have taken my Lord away, and I do not know where they have laid Him,” before crying again.

Then, she heard footsteps approaching from behind. Turning her tearful gaze, she saw a man standing there—who but the gardener? This seemingly ordinary gardener inquired, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?” Yet, Mary, consumed by her sorrowful thoughts, perceived the question as trivial, if not disrespectful, and responded, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have put Him, and I will take Him away.” At that moment, the Master revealed Himself, calling out, “Mary!” with that familiar, commanding voice that had garnered the hearts of countless followers. Instantly recognizing Him, she cried out with joy, “Rabbi!” and fell at His feet, wishing to wash them with her tears of delight. But the risen Lord gently instructed her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’” Overjoyed at the sight of her Master, Mary ran to the city to inform the bewildered disciples that indeed Christ had risen. Her proclamation resonated throughout the world, echoed by millions of believers from that day forward, and it will continue to resonate for generations to come.

The disciples, upon hearing this news, struggled to believe what they heard. Angels at the tomb? Claims of the Master’s resurrection? They doubted if such extraordinary events occurred before dawn and questioned the credibility of the accounts from excited women. As Luke, the evangelist, remarked, “And their words seemed to them as nonsense, and they did not believe them.”