Important Dates in the Lives of Jesus and Mary 

(Jn 20:2). Later, she returns to the tomb, sees the angels (just as the other women had seen) and meets the risen 

Lord Jesus (Jn 20:11 17). Then Mary Magdalene goes to the disciples a second time and tells them of the 

Resurrection (Jn 20:18). Their reaction is revealed in Mark's Gospel:  they did not believe her (Mk 16:11). 

    The Gospel of Luke briefly describes Peter running to the tomb after the Resurrection (24:12). Peter looks in 

the tomb and sees the empty grave clothes:   and he went home wondering at what had happened.  (Lk 

24:12). 

    John's Gospel describes this same event in greater detail. Peter was not alone when he ran to the tomb,  the 

other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved  was with Peter (Jn 20:2). This other disciple was certainly one of 

the Twelve Apostles, for he reclined at table next to Jesus at the Last Supper (Jn 21:20; 13:23). And this other 

disciple was the author of John's Gospel, as Sacred Scripture tells us:  This is the  disciple who is bearing 

witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true.  (Jn 21:24). 

Therefore, it was John the Apostle and Gospel writer who ran with Peter to the tomb. 

    The Gospel of John describes Mary Magdalene's second visit to the tomb, and her meeting with Jesus, after 

describing John and Peter at the tomb (Jn 20:1 18). However, Blessed Anne Catherine states that Magdalene 

arrived at the tomb before John and Peter.

115

 Sacred Scripture does not specifically state who arrived first, 

Magdalene or John and Peter. Events are not necessarily described in Sacred Scripture in the order in which 

they occurred. Blessed Anne Catherine's explanation is that after Magdalene told John and Peter of the empty 

tomb,  she immediately ran back to the tomb, whereas John and Peter first went and talked to some of the 

other disciples.

116

    Sometimes events in Sacred Scripture are given in the order that is best for the meaning being presented, but 

not the order in which the events occurred. Now if Sacred Scripture tells us that certain events did occur in a 

particular order, then without doubt that is the order in which the events occurred. But when Sacred Scripture 

places events out of chronological order and does not tell us that the events happened in the order in which 

they are described, there is still no error or falsehood in Sacred Scripture the events of a true story do not 

need to be told in the exact order in which they occurred. 

    In this case, Sacred Scripture describes John and Peter running to the tomb, then describes Magdalene at the 

tomb. However, Sacred Scripture does not use any language to indicate which occurred first. And Blessed 

Anne Catherine tells us that God revealed to her that Magdalene arrived first. Therefore, Magdalene arrived at 

the tomb (for the second time) before John and Peter. 

Who Saw Jesus First? 

     Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he 

had cast out seven demons.  (Mk 16:9). 

    After the Resurrection, Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene. Our Lord did not appear first, after the 

Resurrection, to His Holy Mother, the Virgin Mary. Instead, He appeared first to a sinful woman who had 

seven serious vices (which were being cultivated in her life by seven demons). Why would Jesus appear first to 

a great sinner, rather than to the most pure and sinless Virgin Mary? Notice that Sacred Scripture says that 

Jesus had cast out those seven demons. Mary Magdalene was not merely a great sinner; she was a great sinner 

who had greatly repented. Jesus died and rose from the dead in order to bring sinners to repentance; that is 

why Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene. She was a fitting example of the fruit of Jesus' Crucifixion and 

Resurrection the repentance of sinners. 

    Why did Jesus not appear first to Peter, who was first among the Apostles and first in authority over the 

Church which Jesus established on earth? Those who are first in authority in the Church are not first in 

everything. Sometimes it is the humble, faithful servant of Christ (who has no authority in the Church) who 

understands first, and the leaders understand afterwards. An example of this is found in the book of the 

prophet Jonah. 

     And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of 

them to the least of them. Then tidings reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed 

his robe, and covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he made proclamation .  (Jonah 3:5 7). 

    The people of Nineveh believed and repented first. Only afterwards did the king follow their example and 

make an official proclamation of a fast. But the people were already fasting. In the same way, within the Body 

44