Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 28:8

"And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word." — Matthew 28:8 (ASV)

They departed quickly — It is natural that independent narratives, written many years later about what happened in the agitation of “fear and great joy,” would contain apparent, or even real, discrepancies as well as similarities. In any case, these discrepancies show that the narratives were independent.

The best solution to the questions raised by comparing the Gospel narratives at this stage is as follows: Mary Magdalene ran eagerly to tell Peter and John, leaving the other Mary and Joanna behind (Luke 24:10), and then followed after the two disciples (John 20:2). After Peter and John left, the Lord appeared first to her (John 20:14) and then to the other women, whom she had rejoined by that time (Matthew 28:9). Finally, they all hurried together to tell the rest of the disciples.