John 20:11

Μαρία δὲ εἱστήκει … ἔξω. Hitherto John has told us simply what he himself saw: now he reports what Mary told him, see John 20:18. She had come to the tomb after the men, but could not share in their belief. She remained outside the tomb helplessly and hopelessly weeping. She herself had told the disciples that the tomb was empty, and she had seen them come out of it; but again παρέκυψεν εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον “she peered into the tomb”; an inimitably natural touch. She could not believe her Lord was gone. καὶ θεωρεῖ … Ἰησοῦ. This, says Holtzmann, is a mere reminiscence of Luke 24:4. But even the description of the angels differs. They were “seated one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus lay”; sitting, says Bengel, “quasi opera quapiam perfunctos, et exspectantes aliquem, quem docerent”. Lampe has little help to give here; and Lücke is justified in saying that neither the believing nor the critical inquirer can lift the veil that hangs over this appearance of angels. In Mary's case it was wholly without result; for no sooner does she answer the angels' question than she turns away, probably hearing a footstep behind her.