John 20:11
But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
Original Language Analysis
Μαρία
Mary
G3137
Μαρία
Mary
Strong's:
G3137
Word #:
1 of 15
maria or mariam (i.e., mirjam), the name of six christian females
εἱστήκει
stood
G2476
εἱστήκει
stood
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
3 of 15
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
πρὸς
at
G4314
πρὸς
at
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
4 of 15
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μνημεῖον
the sepulchre
G3419
μνημεῖον
the sepulchre
Strong's:
G3419
Word #:
6 of 15
a remembrance, i.e., cenotaph (place of interment)
ἔκλαιεν
she wept
G2799
ἔκλαιεν
she wept
Strong's:
G2799
Word #:
7 of 15
to sob, i.e., wail aloud (whereas 1145 is rather to cry silently)
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
9 of 15
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἔκλαιεν
she wept
G2799
ἔκλαιεν
she wept
Strong's:
G2799
Word #:
11 of 15
to sob, i.e., wail aloud (whereas 1145 is rather to cry silently)
παρέκυψεν
she stooped down
G3879
παρέκυψεν
she stooped down
Strong's:
G3879
Word #:
12 of 15
to bend beside, i.e., lean over (so as to peer within)
εἰς
and looked into
G1519
εἰς
and looked into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
13 of 15
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Historical Context
Jewish mourning customs included loud lamentation, especially for honored dead. Mary's weeping wasn't merely emotional but culturally appropriate ritual expression. Women often performed mourning roles professionally. Her status as a former demoniac (Luke 8:2) whom Jesus healed may have intensified her devotion—she owed him everything. Culturally, her testimony would carry no legal weight, making Jesus's choice to appear to her first a radical reversal of social hierarchies.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does persistent, emotional devotion position Mary for revelation that theological investigation (Peter and John) did not produce?
- What does Jesus's choice to appear first to a woman—whose testimony was legally inadmissible—teach about God's values versus culture's?
- When has your refusal to leave a place of grief or confusion prepared you for unexpected encounter with Jesus?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping (Μαρία δὲ εἱστήκει πρὸς τῷ μνημείῳ ἔξω κλαίουσα, Maria de heistēkei pros tō mnēmeiō exō klaiousa)—the pluperfect 'stood' (εἱστήκει, heistēkei) suggests she had been standing there throughout the disciples' visit, a statue of grief. Weeping (κλαίουσα, klaiousa)—strong emotional weeping, not quiet tears. The present participle shows ongoing action: she kept weeping.
As she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre—repeating John's earlier action (v.5) but with different motive: not investigating evidence but mourning loss. Her persistence where others departed positions her for greater revelation. Love's tenacity exceeds curiosity's engagement—she cannot leave while her Lord's body remains missing. This devotion, not intellectual superiority, makes her the first resurrection witness.