1. Empty tomb (20:1-9)

When Mary Magdalene visited the tomb early on that Sunday morning, she and her companions (cf. her words, we don't know) found the seal disturbed and hurried to carry the report to Peter and the disciple whom Jesus loved (vv.1-2; cf. 13:23-26; 19:25-27; 21:1-14, 20-24). They started for the tomb immediately (v.3).

Note the renewed connection between Peter and the beloved disciple. In this case, though their actions were parallel, their responses to what they found at the tomb were different. Both saw the unoccupied grave windings and head cloth (vv.4-8; cf. 11:44). But, in contrast to Peter, it is said of the beloved disciple expressly that he believed and that he did so without yet understanding from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead (v.9). He was the first Christian believer.