Easter
The Resurrection of Our Lord (Easter Sunrise)
April 5, 2026
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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Commentary
John 20 Commentary: An Empty Tomb and A Risen Jesus Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik walks the whole resurrection chapter verse by verse, tracing Mary, Peter, and the beloved disciple at the empty tomb.
John 20:1-18 - Center for Excellence in Preaching Center for Excellence in Preaching
Scott Hoezee's Reformed preaching commentary on Mary Magdalene's dawn encounter, strong on the move from grief to recognition.
Commentary on John 20:1-18 - Working Preacher Working Preacher
The exact passage is the RCL Easter Day gospel, so this Luther Seminary commentary applies directly.
John 20 Commentary | Precept Austin Precept Austin
A verse-by-verse study hub gathering word notes, quotes, and cross references for the resurrection narrative.
John 20:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators (Ellicott, Barnes, Meyer, Pulpit) stacked verse by verse for comparison.
Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord | Loyola Press Loyola Press · Sunday Connection
Catholic Sunday Connection background and reflection questions for the Easter gospel.
Background & Word Study
John 20:1 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek text with parsing and Strong's numbers for the opening of the empty-tomb scene.
Gospel of John Summary | Watch an Overview Video (Part 1) BibleProject
BibleProject's visual overview places chapter 20 within John's whole design and its signs pointing to life.
Meeting the risen Jesus by the empty tomb in John 20 | Psephizo Psephizo · Ian Paul
Ian Paul's Anglican close reading of the garden meeting and Mary's commissioning.
The Church Fathers
Sermons & Reflections
Worship & Prayers
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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