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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - John 20:11 - 20:18
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Joh_20:11-18
11But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; 12and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. 13And they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." 14When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." 16Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means, Teacher). 17Jesus said to her, "Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'" 18Mary Magdalene came, announcing to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and that He had said these things to her.
Joh_20:11 "weeping" This is literally "wailing" (cf. Joh_11:31). It is Imperfect tense, which speaks of continuous action in past time. Eastern funeral practices are characteristically very emotional.
Joh_20:12 "two angels" John and Luke (Luk_24:23) agree that there were two angels. Matthew, who usually has two of everything (cf. Joh_8:28; Joh_9:27; Joh_20:30), has only one angel! This is one example of the unexplainable differences between the Gospels.
The Gospels are eyewitness accounts that select, adapt, and combine the words and works of Jesus for their own (inspired) theological purposes and target group. Modern readers often ask questions such as (1) which one of the Gospels is historically accurate or (2) seek more historical details about an event or teaching than is recorded by an individual inspired Gospel writer. Interpreters must first seek the intent of the original author as expressed in an individual Gospel. We do not need more historical detail to understand the Gospel.
▣ "in white" The spiritual realm or spiritual beings are described as wearing white.
1. Jesus' garments at the transfiguration - Mat_17:2; Mar_9:3; Luk_9:29
2. angels at the tomb - Mat_28:3; Mar_16:5; Luk_24:4; Joh_20:12
3. angels at the ascension - Act_1:10
4. saints with the glorified Christ - Rev_3:4-5; Rev_3:18
5. the elders (angels) around the throne of God - Rev_4:4
6. the martyrs under the throne of God - Rev_6:11
7. all of the redeemed - Rev_7:9; Rev_7:13-14 (cf. Dan_12:10)
8. the armies (of angels) in heaven - Rev_19:14
9. OT imagery for forgiveness - Psa_51:7; Isa_1:18 (symbolizing God's purity, cf. Dan_7:9)
Joh_20:14 "did not know that it was Jesus" Mary Magdala did not recognize Jesus. The possible reasons for this are:
1. there were tears in her eyes
2. she was looking from the darkness to light
3. Jesus' appearance was somewhat different (cf. Mat_28:17 and Luk_24:16; Luk_24:37)
Joh_20:15 "Sir" This is the Greek word kurios. It is used here in its non-theological sense (cf. Joh_12:21). It can mean "sir," "mister," "master," "owner," "husband," or "Lord." Mary thought she was talking to (1) a gardener or (2) the owner of the garden.
But note its theological usage in Joh_20:28!
▣ "if" This is a first class conditional sentence which is assumed to be true from the speaker's perspective. She believed someone had stolen the body.
Joh_20:16 "Mary. . .Rabboni" Mary is literally Miriam. Both of these terms are Aramaic ("Hebrew" means Aramaic, cf. Joh_5:2; Joh_19:13; Joh_19:17; Joh_19:20). Apparently Jesus said her name in a characteristic manner. He must have done the same type of thing when He prayed with two on the road to Emmaus (cf. Luk_24:30-31). The "I" on the end of "Rabboni" may reflect "my Rabbi," "my Master" or "my teacher."
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Joh_20:17
NASB "stop clinging to Me"
NKJV "Do not cling to Me"
NRSV "Do not hold on to Me"
TEV "Do not hold on to Me"
NJB "Do not cling to Me"
The KJV has "touch me not." This is a present middle imperative with the negative particle which usually means to stop an act which is already in process. Mary had grabbed Him and was holding on! This has no theological implications about touching Jesus' body before the ascension. In Joh_20:27 Jesus allows Thomas to touch Him and in Mat_28:9 He allows the women to hold His feet.
▣ "I have not yet ascended" This is perfect active indicative. Jesus will not ascend into heaven until 40 days after His resurrection (cf. Act_1:9).
▣ "go to My brethren" The resurrected, glorified Lord calls these cowards "brothers" (cf. Mat_12:50).
▣ "I am going up" This is present tense. This did not actually happen until forty days later while He was in their presence (cf. Luk_24:50-52; Act_1:2-3). John consistently uses the vertical dualism of "above" and "below." Jesus is from the Father (pre-existence) and He returns to the Father (glorification).
▣ "to My Father and your Father" What a marvelous statement! However, it must also be stated that this does not imply that believers' sonship is equal to Jesus' sonship. He is the unique Son of the Father (Joh_3:16), fully God and fully man. Believers become family members only through Him. He is both Lord, Savior, and brother!
Joh_20:18 Mary is also a witness!