"And stooping down, and looking in, he saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in."
Just to look in, however, did not satisfy Peter; for as soon as he came, he "went into the sepulchre." John followed him. They noticed the napkin that had been on Jesus' head wrapped and placed by itself; the linen clothes, too, were folded neatly and placed aside with care. They concluded that thieves would not have done this, and so dispelled Mary's theory that the Lord's body had been stolen. But "as yet they knew not the scripture that He must rise again from the dead."
Mary Beholds Risen Redeemer.
Filled with wonder and perplexity, the two disciples "went away again to their own home," but Mary lingered near the tomb, and as a reward for her faithfulness and devotion, became the first person in the world to behold the risen Redeemer.
Peter Sees His Lord.
Other women who came to the tomb that morning to render, as they thought, the last slight service to their Lord, were permitted also to see Him. Later on that same day, it seems that He appeared to Peter; but where, or under what circumstances, or what was said, we do not know. We may rest assured, however, that Peter's repentant soul was filled with joy eternal as he received the divine forgiveness of His Lord.
Disciples From Emmans.
That evening as the Eleven were assembled in a room talking over the events of the day, and particularly the Lord's appearance to Peter, there entered two disciples from Emmaus. They were no sooner in the presence of the Eleven, than they heard the joyous message, "The Lord is risen indeed and hath appeared unto Simon." They could readily believe this, for they said, "When we were returning from Jerusalem, today, after having heard of the angels and the empty tomb, Jesus Himself drew near and went with us."
Jesus Appears to Eleven.
While they were thus assembled, Jesus appeared to them again, "and saith unto them. Peace be unto you." Such scenes as that cannot be described, and the evangelists who tell us about it simply state the fact and leave us to imagine what their thoughts and feelings were on that glorious occasion. We are sure, though, that we can say of Peter as has been written of the Prophet Joseph when he, too, saw the Savior,