After the Sabbath the women who followed Jesus went to the tomb to anoint his body with spices (Mk 16:1). We do not know why no men were with them, but we know they were talking about who would roll the stone away from the tomb for them (Mk 16:3). I can’t imagine why they would want to add more spices to the 100 pounds that Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus had wrapped him in. Perhaps they didn’t know it had already been done. We do know they expected to find Jesus’ body there.
Mary Magdalene was so shocked to see the empty tomb that she ran to get Peter and John (John 20:1-2). She was beside herself with sorrow, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tom and we do not know where they have laid him.” Peter and John both run to the tomb and discover the linen strips and the headpiece. They are scared half to death and leave Mary Magdalene and the rest of the women weeping by the tomb (John 20:6-10; 21:11).
After the men left, the angels suddenly appear to Mary and the other women. “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he is risen, as he said. Then the angel gave the women the great commission “Go quickly and tell his disciples that he is risen (Mt 28:5-7).
