‘Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene comes early, while it was yet dark, to the tomb and sees the stone taken away from the tomb.'
‘The first day of the week' could be any time after sunset on Saturday evening, but here it is early Sunday morning just prior to sunrise. The use of the term ‘the first day of the week', along with the mention that it was ‘yet dark', may be intended to indicate the approach of a new beginning. Whilst it was still dark for the disciples and the women as they grieved for Jesus, shortly light would dawn, and then all would be revealed.
Mary has been sent ahead with ‘the other Mary' (Matthew 28:1) by the women who were preparing spices and ointments for Jesus' burial (Luke 23:55 to Luke 24:1). They would wish to check out the situation in the garden and their greatest concern would be as to how they could roll the stone from the entrance so as to minister to Jesus' body (Mark 16:3). So the Marys came while it was still dark (Matthew 28:1). But to their amazement they found that the large stone had been moved. Not sure what this meant one Mary went back to report to the women while Mary Magdalene raced to let Peter and John know.
John mentions only Mary Magdalene because it was she who came to Peter and himself breathless with the news, and he was involved in the sequel. He is concentrating on Mary's escapade. Thus his account is only about Mary.
‘The stone taken away.' The stone had in fact been removed by an earthquake connected with an angelic visitation (Matthew 28:2). It was not necessary for the resurrection of Jesus that the stone should be taken away (see John 20:26), but it was necessary so that the emptiness of the tomb could be seen.