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Easter

The Resurrection of Our Lord (Easter Sunrise)

April 5, 2026

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
Historic One-Year Lectionary
GospelJohn 20:1-18Jn 20:1-18
Epistle1 Cor. 15:1-111 Cor 15:1-11Alt. Epistle1 Cor. 15:12-251 Cor 15:12-25
Old TestamentIsa. 25:6-9Is 25:6-9Alt. OTExod. 14:10-15:1Ex 14:10-15:1
PsalterPs. 16Ps 16

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 20:1-18

Commentary

John 20 Commentary: An Empty Tomb and A Risen JesusJn 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 PreachingJn 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 PreacherCommentary on Jn 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 AustinJn 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 CommentariesJn 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 InterlinearJn 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)Gospel of Jn 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 | PsephizoMeeting the risen Jesus by the empty tomb in Jn 20 | Psephizo Psephizo · Ian Paul

Ian Paul's Anglican close reading of the garden meeting and Mary's commissioning.

The Church Fathers

John 20 - Catena Bible & CommentariesJn 20 - Catena Bible & Commentaries Catena

Patristic comment gathered verse by verse from Augustine, Chrysostom, and other early voices.

Sermons & Reflections

Journey with Jesus: Rising Journey with Jesus

A literary lectionary essay on the personal weight of the resurrection encounter.

Worship & Prayers

Easter Sunday, Year A - Preaching Notes UMC Discipleship

United Methodist worship planning and preaching notes for the John 20 Easter gospel.

Art & Music

Revised Common Lectionary Art Index Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt's curated fine-art, hymn, and image index for the Easter readings.

Study Hub

John 20:1-18 Resurrection, Easter (Textweek)Jn 20:1-18 Resurrection, Easter (Textweek) Textweek

Textweek's master link page aggregating commentaries, sermons, art, and media for the passage.

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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