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Ordinary Time · Saint Mary Magdalene · Year C

John 20:1-2, 11-18

The Empty Tomb

July 22, 2028

Noli me Tangere, Titian
Noli me Tangere, Titian, c. 1514National Gallery, London
An early Titian. Christ bends away as Mary reaches, holding a hoe, because she took him for the gardener; the landscape behind is pure Venetian countryside.I sought him whom my soul loves; I sought him but found him not: the Song and the garden scene are read together, and Titian painted the instant of the finding.TitianThe dominant painter of sixteenth-century Venice (c. 1488-1576), who worked into his eighties and whose late manner, applied with fingers as much as brushes, startled even his admirers.National Gallery, LondonFounded in 1824 by buying one banker's collection, and deliberately placed in Trafalgar Square so that people from every part of London could walk to it.National Gallery, London
Roman Lectionary
GospelJohn 20:1-2, 11-18Jn 20:1-2, 11-18
Second Reading2 Cor. 5:14-172 Cor 5:14-17
First ReadingSong 3:1-4bSg 3:1-4b
Responsorial PsalmPs. 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

Overview & Insights

“I have seen the Lord.” (John 20:18)

The story of the empty tomb is Mary Magdalene’s story. To this point in the Gospel, Mary has been mentioned only once, with no further identification (19:25), probably because she is presumed to be well known to the Gospel’s readers. In Mark, Matthew, and Luke she is mentioned first among the women who came to the tomb on Sunday morning, but here she seems to come alone. Only her statement that we [plural] don’t know the whereabouts of Jesus’ body (v. 2) betrays a consciousness of others present with her at the tomb (contrast I don’t know in v. 13).

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Take it further: John 20:1-2, 11-18

Commentary

John 20 CommentaryJn 20 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

Walks through Mary's discovery of the empty tomb and her encounter with the risen Jesus.

Commentary on John 20:1-18Commentary on Jn 20:1-18 Working Preacher

Describes Mary as the first to reach full Easter faith and the first sent to proclaim it.

John 20:1-18 CommentaryJn 20:1-18 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Traces how Peter, the other disciple, and Mary each respond to the empty tomb.

John 20 CommentaryJn 20 Commentary Precept Austin

Provides a detailed word study of Mary's weeping and Jesus speaking her name.

John 20:1 CommentariesJn 20:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Collects classic commentary on Mary's early morning visit to the tomb.

Background & Word Study

John 20:1 InterlinearJn 20:1 Interlinear BibleHub

Shows the Greek text word by word for the discovery of the empty tomb.

Gospel of John Summary (Part 2)Gospel of Jn Summary (Part 2) BibleProject

Gives an animated overview of the passion and resurrection chapters of John.

The Church Fathers

John 20:11 - CatenaJn 20:11 - Catena Catena

Gathers patristic comments on Mary's weeping and her encounter with the angels and Jesus.

Sermons & Reflections

I Have Seen the Lord Journey with Jesus

Reflects on Mary's recognition of Jesus when he speaks her name.

Art & Music

John 20:1-18Jn 20:1-18 Vanderbilt

Links art in the Christian tradition depicting Mary Magdalene at the tomb.

Questions preachers ask

What happens at the empty tomb in John?

Mary Magdalene finds the stone rolled away, and the risen Jesus calls her by name; she runs to tell the disciples, I have seen the Lord.

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