Mary Magdalene outside the tomb

Please help me understand the differences in the accounts of Easter morning in the gospels of Matthew and John. Matthew tells us that the risen Jesus met Mary Magdalene and the other Mary on the road as they were returning from the empty tomb. John relates that Jesus came to Mary (although she at first thought he was the gardener) as she stood crying at the tomb. I've heard some say that Mary made two trips to the tomb and that the gospels are relating different trips. However, if that is the case, would not her reaction during the second trip have been far less shocked? Just wondering what, if anything, I'm missing. Of course I can always ask Mary myself when I meet her.

John 20:10-18 does provide us with information on Mary Magdalene’s second visit to the tomb on Easter Sunday morning.

Why didn’t she recognize her risen Lord? There is no specific answer within the context of John 20. Mark 16:12 adds the thought that the risen Lord appeared to people with his glorified body, and in his state of exaltation Jesus interacted with people in ways that were different than during his state of humiliation.

When the “gardener” in Joseph’s garden first addressed her as “Woman,” Mary did not recognize her risen Lord. But when he spoke her name, everything changed!

Like you, I too look forward to the time when we can meet and converse with people from the Bible!