New Year: John 19-21 for Nov 15

John's gospel presents the death and resurrection of Jesus in these three chapters, John 19-21. John is the master of understatement. He takes it from the understatement inherent in reporting these Resurrection appearances and not more. John can do this -- be selective, and write as if on a plain matter of history, because of the fact that the New Creation is built on the fact of the Resurrection, not just the two chapter report of it.

Three "Mary's" were at His crucifixion (Jn 19:25), and one of them, Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb on Sunday (Jn 20:1). She was the first to be talked to by Jesus. who has risen, but she does not do anything but suppose him to be the gardener at first (20:15). This is NOT good science fiction. No glowing luminosity here. No outward sign. The opposite of what you might expect.

On the other hand, previous to this, Peter and "the other disciple" come to the tomb on the basis of the first report of Mary Magdalene that something was amiss (20:2) and as a result of seeing the grave-clothes, the disciple that came with Peter "saw and believed" (20:8). John comments on the fact that this late date of belief is due to the fact that "they" -- presumably not just that one disciple, but all of them -- "they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead" (20:9). This too is the opposite of what you might expect.