According to John, who was the first person to see the risen Jesus?

According to John, Mary Magdalene was the first person to see the risen Jesus.

John 20 says Mary came to the tomb early on the first day of the week and found it open. After informing Simon Peter and the beloved disciple, she remained near the tomb. Jesus then appeared to her, and she recognized him when he called her by name. He instructed her to tell the disciples that he was ascending to his Father.

Mary Magdalene is therefore the first witness to a resurrection appearance in John’s narrative. The other Gospels organize the discovery and appearances differently, and their lists of women and messengers are not identical. Those variations are why the wording “according to John” matters.

Mary was a follower of Jesus from Galilee and is distinguished from Mary of Bethany and Jesus’ mother Mary. Her role as the first witness in John makes her a central figure in the Gospel’s resurrection account, even though the disciples initially struggle to accept the report.