🌅 “Mary, Why Are You Crying?” — The First Resurrection Morning
Discover Jesus' first encounter after His resurrection in John 20:1–18, narrated as if Jesus Himself is speaking to young children. Includes ancient Israel customs, geography, cultural practices, images, and video references to help families understand the Resurrection story.
John 20:1–18 (KJV)
1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre 🪦, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre 😮.
2 Then she runneth 🏃♀️💨, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved ❤️, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him 😢.
3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre 🪦.
4 So they ran both together 🏃♂️🏃♂️💨: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
5 And he stooping down, and looking in 👀, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre 🪦, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself 🧺.
8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed ✨.
9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead 🌅.
10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping 😭: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
12 And seeth two angels in white 👼👼 sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him 😢.
14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing 🌿, and knew not that it was Jesus.
15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener 👨🌾, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master 🙌❤️.
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God ✨.
18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord 🌟, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
🌿 The Morning Mary Found the Empty Tomb
Children, let me tell you what happened on that quiet morning—the morning I rose again. The sun had not yet climbed over the Judean hills, and the air still felt cool from the night. In ancient Israel, people often woke early, especially women who prepared spices and oils for loved ones. That morning, Mary Magdalene and other women came to the tomb while it was still dark.
Discover more here from Apostle Luke's perspective.
They walked along the stony path, the same kind of path many families used when going to the market or the well. They carried spices—because in our custom, people anointed the bodies of their loved ones with sweet fragrances. But when they reached the tomb, she saw something strange: the stone was rolled away.
“Why would someone move it?” they wondered.
The women ran to tell Peter and John, who hurried to the tomb. They saw the linen cloths folded neatly. They did not yet understand how I had risen, but they knew something wonderful had happened.
🌸 Mary Stays Behind — And I Speak Her Name
Mary stayed near the tomb, crying. Have you ever cried because you felt alone? She felt that way. She looked inside and saw two angels sitting where my body had been. They asked, “Woman, why are you weeping?”
Then she turned and saw Me—but she thought I was the gardener. Why? Because in Israel, gardens were tended early in the morning, and I stood among the olive trees and flowers.
“Sir,” she said, “if you have taken Him, tell me where.”
Then I spoke one word: “Mary.”
Children, do you know how powerful it is when someone who loves you says your name? It is like a lamp shining in a dark room. When she heard Me, she knew Me. She called out, “Rabboni!”—which means Teacher.
I told her, “Do not hold on to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father. Go and tell My brothers.”
And Mary—faithful, brave Mary—became the first to share the good news: “I have seen the Lord!”
🌍 A Note About the Land and Customs
- Tombs in ancient Israel were carved into rocky hillsides, like the ones around Jerusalem.
- Families used spices and oils to anoint the bodies of their loved ones who had died.
- Early morning travel was common because the sun grew hot quickly in our land.
- Gardens near tombs were watered from nearby springs, making them peaceful places of prayer.
❓ FAQ
🌟 Conclusion & Call to Action
Children, the message of this story is simple and powerful: I know your name, and I come close when you feel alone. Just as Mary found hope in the garden, you can find hope in Me every day.
I am alive forever. I rose up and all those who believe in me will rise up in the First Resurrection
📚 References
See The Holy Land. (n.d.). Magdala. https://www.seetheholyland.net/magdala/
HolyLandSite.com. (n.d.). Magdala: Hometown & Life of Mary Magdalene. https://www.holylandsite.com/magdala
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Magdala. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magdala
Early European History and Religion. (n.d.). Evidence of Mary Magdalene and Places Associated with Her. https://factsanddetails.com/world/cat55/sub392/item1409.html (factsanddetails.com in Bing)
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