John 20:10-13 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Then the disciples (Peter and John) went away again unto their own home Went to their companions in the city, as the original expression, προς εαυτους, seems evidently to signify. Accordingly, soon after this the women found the eleven and the rest together. It was very prudent in Peter and John to retire immediately, lest they should have been questioned by the rulers, if found near the sepulchre. But Mary stood without It seems she had followed Peter and John to the sepulchre, but did not return to the city with them, being anxious to find the body of her Lord; but after they were gone, she stood without at the sepulchre weeping Being in great perplexity at her not knowing what was become of it. And as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre To examine it afresh; and seeth To her great surprise; two angels In the form of men; in white That is, clothed in white habits; the one at the head, and the other at the feet, &c. “The sepulchre seems to have been a square room hewn out of a rock, partly above ground, its roof being as high as the top of the door, which formed its entrance. This door opened upon a stair which ran down straight to the bottom of the sepulchre, along with the side of its left wall. Having carried the body down with its feet foremost, they would naturally place it length-ways, by the right-side wall of the sepulchre, with its feet to the back wall. This description is agreeable to the accounts which travellers give us of the Jewish sepulchres, particularly Mr. Maundrell, who was on the spot and saw several of them. They were generally caves, or rooms hewn out of rocks. And as the Jews did not make use of coffins, they placed their dead separately in niches, or little cells cut into the sides of these caves. But Joseph's sepulchre, being a new one, was in all probability unfinished; and might have no niches cut into its sides, where they could deposite the dead; for which reason they laid Jesus on the floor, in the manner described, intending when the sabbath was passed to remove him to some finished burying-place.” Macknight. And they say unto her With a tender regard; Woman, why weepest thou? This question was only designed to give occasion to inform her of that which would turn her mourning into rejoicing. She saith, Because they have taken away my Lord The blessed body which I came to embalm; and I know not where they have laid him That is, laid it; or how the sacred corpse may be neglected or abused.