What did John see that Mary did not?
I've been wanting to post a blog about this topic I came across and am finally doing so.
In the Gospels there is an interesting thing that takes place that you may overlook if not thinking about the specific details of what takes place on the morning the empty tomb is discovered. In John's Gospel account, we read that Mary Magdalene and Jesus' mother Mary (seen in other Gospel accounts), go to the tomb early. They noticed that the stone was removed and the tomb was empty, immediately running to Simon Peter and "the one whom Jesus loved [John 20:2]," John, and fearing that the body was stolen. They all went back to the tomb, with John getting there first, to also see the same thing that was described to them. However, John SAW AND BELIEVED [John 20:8:].
SO..
What did John see that the Mary's did not?
You have to know a few details first, in order to understand.
The burial was performed by a man who spent his own money to allow for a proper burial of Jesus, Joseph. Jesus' body was not simply placed in the tomb, but rather delicately and honorably dressed. The process of dressing the body is no simple task. It was Hebrew tradition to wrap it many times and tie the cloth together in many places. The photo here in a similar depiction of what that would look like.
In chapter 20 verse 6-7, John saw the burial clothes, but did not go in. So what did he see? He certainly did not see the remains of a body that was stolen, the cloth was neatly sitting there. It was then that John believed. Could it be assumed that the dressings were still tied as if never touched? I think so.
