John 20
I am curious how long it took for Mary to run to the disciples and return to the tomb. Was she a sprinter or a marathon runner?
Information is provided by a resident expert Vern Jordin:
Here is a map of Jerusalem at the time of Christ. It is about 1.5 miles from north to south and about 3/4 mile from west to east.
Some believe there were two upper rooms: one for the Passover supper [red border] and the second used on the day of Pentecost [black border]. The green oval shows the location of Golgotha and the new cut tomb. There are several women named Mary in the New Testament: the mother of Jesus and her sister both of Galilee, the sister of Lazarus of Bethany [Mount of Olives] and Mary of Magdala on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. The ones from Galilee likely traveled with the Apostles and Jesus to Jerusalem [about a 100 hundred mile walk] for Passover and stayed for Pentecost. Remember Jesus’ mother was at the cross as well as others and so was Mary of Magdala. They likely all returned to the tomb that Sunday morning in order to finish putting the spices on the body. He died at 3:00 p.m. and they did not have time to complete the process before sundown on the eve of the Sabbath [a new day starts at sundown]. The next day was the Sabbath and they could not travel to the tomb to do that work then. So, they returned at sunrise on Sunday. When they saw and heard from the angel(s) they ran to tell the disciples, but Mary of Magdala lingered behind in sorrow and tears. Then Jesus appeared to her. From the red upper room to the tomb is likely just over a Sabbath day’s journey. The Apostles may have met back there after the Crucifixion and remained until Sunday. It is believed that the women of the group were left on the Mount of Olives, likely at Bethany in the home of Lazarus, Martha and Mary. That would be about a two and a half mile trip one way, too far for a Sabbath, but not too far to run from the tomb to the upper room, 3/4 plus mile. on the following Sunday.
