George Hutcheson
11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre, weeping, and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre.
Followeth to v. 19. Christs evidencing of the truth of his Resurrection, by his appearing unto Mary, who was the first that got a sight of him, as appeareth from Mark 16.9. This Narration may be taken up in six particulars. The first whereof (in this verse) is her carriage and exercise about the sepulchre; and that after the disciples were gone, she continued there weeping and looking into it. Whence learn, 1. Albeit there are, oft-times, many errours in the way of affectionate Saints, yet those whom Christ is to manifest himself most and first unto, are such as cannot want him, but must incessantly wait on till they get him; for, in opposition to the disciples practice, v 10. it is subjoyned, But Mary stood without at the sepulchre. Not only might she stay there with lesse hazard then the men; but when their irresolution and fear sent them away, her affection (though over-powered with more unbelief then any of them had) keeps her still waiting on, and so, though her failings were many, she gets the first sight of Christ. 2. Albeit affectionate Saints may have much causelesse sorrow about Christ; yet want, (whether real, or apprehended only, which yet is real to the apprehender) should be evidenced by some expressions of affection, witnessing their respect to what they want: for, it was in it selfe commendable, that she stood weeping, for a supposed dead and lost Christ, though it was her mistake to think so. 3. There may be much affection expressed toward Christ and a sight of him, when yet we look the wrong way to finde him; for, as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, not only to feed her eyes and sorrow with the sight of the empty sepulchre, but also to try if, possibly, he might be found there, though it was found empty before, and it may be some stir made by the two Angels (of whom v 12.) drew her to look what she might yet finde there: However, as it was commendable that her excessive sorrow did not drive her from the use of such means as she thought most probable; So it is certain she sought him where he was not to be found.
