The verb told is actually a participle in Greek. Good News Translation renders it as a finite verb, as do many others translations. Note, for example, Revised Standard Version “went and said.”

The Greek text of Mary’s words presents a strange combination of direct and indirect discourse, which Good News Translation renders entirely as indirect discourse. Among other translations New English Bible retains the form of the Greek; “ ‘I have seen the Lord!’ she said, and gave them his message.” As far as most languages are concerned, it is more natural to follow through with either direct or indirect discourse, and not try to combine the two. It is also possible to preserve the direct discourse in the first part of this verse by saying, “told the disciples, I have seen the Lord; she also related to them what Jesus had told her.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .