I have told you of two Marys; Mary the mother of Jesus, and another Mary, the sister of Lazarus. But there was another still, called Mary Magdalene. She came very early to the grave, before the other women came. She looked into the grave, but saw no angels; so she came running back, and told Peter and John that Jesus was not in his grave. I am afraid, said Mary Magdalene, that some wicked people have taken him away, and that we shall not be able to find him.

So Peter and John began to run as fast as they could, but John ran the fastest, and he came first to the grave. He stooped down and peeped in, and he saw the clothes lying in the grave.

Soon after Peter came, and he went down into the grave, and he saw the clothes neatly folded, and the cloth that was round Jesus’ head lying in a place by itself. Then John went in, too; and John thought of what Jesus had said about being alive again.

It is all true, thought John; he is alive, and has left his grave.

Then Peter and John came out of the grave, and went to their own house; but they saw no angels, nor did they see Jesus.

Where was Mary Magdalene all this time?

She was standing crying outside the grave: she was quite alone; for Peter and John were gone home.

At last she stooped down and looked into the grave, and she saw a beautiful sight—two angels, one sitting where Jesus’ head had been, and one where his feet had been!

The angels said to Mary, Why do you cry? but still she went on crying, and said, Some people have taken away the Lord Jesus, and I cannot find him!

When she had said this, she heard a man behind her saying, Why do you cry?

She did not know who it was that spoke; she thought perhaps it was the gardener. If you have taken him, said she, tell me where you have put him, and I will take him away.

The man said, Mary! She knew that voice, and turning round she looked, and saw that it was Jesus. How glad she was to see her Lord and Master, whom she loved! But Jesus could not stay with her. He told her to go and tell his dear disciples that he was alive. I am soon going up to my Father in heaven; but I shall see my disciples first.

Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples. They were all crying, but they would not believe what Mary said.

Mary was glad that she had gone to look for Jesus. She was the first of all the people who saw Jesus after he was alive again.