On the first Easter morning, while it was still dark, a few faithful women made their way to the tomb. They carried spices, grief, and love. But what they found would change history forever.
The stone was rolled away. The tomb was empty. And soon, Mary Magdalene would become the first person to see the Risen Christ.
In a time and culture where women’s testimonies weren’t legally valued, the fact that Jesus first appeared to women was a divine declaration—a revolutionary reversal. It echoed a pattern that runs through the entire Bible: God chooses the least likely.
The Gospel Accounts: Women at the Center of the Resurrection
Each Gospel underscores this surprising and beautiful truth:
Matthew 28 – Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” meet an angel and Jesus.
Mark 16 – Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome find the empty tomb.
Luke 24 – Several women, including Joanna, go to the tomb and report to the apostles.
John 20 – Mary Magdalene remains, weeps, and is the first to encounter the risen Lord.
Though these women were not considered leaders in their society, God made them the first evangelists.
Women at the empty tomb, by Fra Angelico, 1437–1446
Why Women? A Divine Reversal of Expectations
Why would God entrust the message of the Resurrection to women first?
Because this is how God works. He continually uplifts the humble, the outcast, the unexpected.
✨ Quotes from Saints and Theologians
“The apostles did not believe the testimony of women, and yet it was to women that Christ first appeared… the faith of women was greater than that of men.” — St. John Chrysostom, Homily on Matthew
“Perhaps because a woman was the cause of death, a woman should be the first witness of the Resurrection.” — St. Augustine, Sermon 232.2
“Just as a woman had been the first to announce death, so a woman was the first to announce life.” — St. Thomas Aquinas, Catena Aurea on John 20
“The women are the first at the tomb… the first to be called to announce this truth to the Apostles.” — Pope John Paul II, Mulieris Dignitatem
The women at the tomb are not an exception, but part of a long-standing biblical theme:
David was the youngest son, left tending sheep. Yet God said, “This is the one.”
Moses was a stammering fugitive—and yet became Israel’s liberator.
Saul of Tarsus, a persecutor of Christians, became Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles.
The twelve apostles were fishermen, tax collectors, and zealots—not theologians or royalty.
Mary Magdalene, once afflicted by seven demons, became the first to preach the Resurrection.
St. Michael, an archangel, member of a lower choir of angels, defeated the high-ranking angel, the rebellious Lucifer, by God’s command, proving that victory belongs not to rank, but to obedience and holiness.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8)
“God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise… the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” (1 Corinthians 1:27)
What it Means for Us Today
In raising up the women at the tomb, God elevates all those who are overlooked.
It is a reminder for:
The ones who feel unworthy
The ones who are not believed
The ones who serve quietly and faithfully
If God chose them, He can choose you.
“The Resurrection narratives are clear: women were the first evangelists… a challenge to every age’s assumptions about who is worthy to carry the message.” — Bishop Robert Barron, Word on Fire
Conclusion: Go and Tell the Others
To Mary Magdalene, Jesus said:
“Go to My brothers and tell them…” (John 20:17)
That commission still echoes. And it still applies.
This Easter, remember:
The tomb is empty.
Christ is risen.
And His most important message was first entrusted to the faithful, the humble, and the least expected.
Resurrection, by Luca Giordano, after 1665
Now go and tell the others.
Happy Easter!
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Christ’s Appearance to Mary Magdalene – By Alexander Andreyevich Ivanov (1806 – 1858) Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21853920
Women at the Empty Tomb By Fra Angelico – Web Gallery of Art: Image Info about artwork, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15451039
The Three Marys at the Tomb – By Peter Paul Rubens – Transferred from ml.wikipedia to Commons by Sreejithk2000 using CommonsHelper., Razimantv at ml.wikipedia, 22 June 2010, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12822205
Resurrection – By Luca Giordano – Web Gallery of Art: Image Info about artwork, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15454818
