Did the disciples know about the resurrection when they reached the empty tomb?
No, the disciples did not understand or expect the resurrection. Jesus had told the twelve He would be put to death and rise the third day, but that saying was hidden from them; they understood none of these things. Even at the empty tomb, Scripture shows they did not know.
Les explains that when Jesus took the twelve aside in Luke 18:31-34 and foretold His delivery to the Gentiles, mocking, scourging, death, and resurrection on the third day, the disciples understood none of these things. The saying was hidden from them by a sovereign God because it was not yet time for them to understand. Les points out that even after the crucifixion, on resurrection morning, John 20:9 makes it plain they still did not know. The setting is Peter and John running to the sepulcher after being told it was empty; they are amazed and aghast as they look in.
For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
More Questions
Did the disciples know before the resurrection that Jesus would rise from the dead?
Even after Jesus had been put to death, the disciples still did not know the Scripture that He must rise from the dead; John 20:9 says this plainly.
Did Peter and John know from Scripture that Jesus would rise from the dead when they found the empty tomb?
At the empty tomb, Peter and John believed Jesus had risen even though they did not yet know the Scripture that He must rise from the dead.