John 20:16-18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 20:11-18

St. Mark tells us that Christ appeared first to Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9); that appearance is here largely related; and we may observe, I. The constancy and fervency of Mary Magdalene's affection to the Lord Jesus, John 20:11. 1. She staid at the sepulchre, when Peter and John were gone, because there her Master had lain, and there she was likeliest to hear some tidings of him. Note, (1.) Where there is a true love to Christ there will be a constant adherence to him, and a resolution with... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 20:11-18

20:11-18 But Mary stood weeping outside at the tomb. As she wept she stooped down, and looked into the tomb, and she saw two angels sitting there in white robes, one at the head, and the other at the feet of the place where Jesus' body had been lying. They said to her: "Woman, why are you crying?" She said to them: "Because they have taken my Lord away, and I do not know where they have laid him." When she had said this, she turned round, and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 20:11-18

There is one very real difficulty in this passage. When the recognition scene is complete, at first sight, at all events, Jesus said to Mary: "Touch me not, for I have not yet ascended to the Father." Just a few verses later we find him inviting Thomas to touch him ( John 20:27 ). In Luke we read of him inviting the terrified disciples: "See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones, as you see that I have" ( Luke 24:39 ). In... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 20:16

Jesus saith unto her, Mary ,.... He might alter the tone of his voice, and speak unto her as he used to do, calling her by her name in his usual manner: so Christ has personal knowledge of all his people, and can call them by name; he knows them, and makes himself known to them, before they can know him; and though he may absent himself from them for a while, yet not always: she turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni, which is to say, Master ; it seems, as if she had dropped her... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 20:17

Jesus saith unto her, touch me not ,.... Not that his body was an aerial one, or a mere "phantom", which could not be touched; the prohibition itself shows the contrary; and besides, Christ's body was afterwards presented to Thomas, to be touched by him, and to be handled by all the disciples; and his feet were held by the women, which is what Mary would have now done: upon the discovery of him, she threw herself at his feet, and was going to embrace and kiss them, to testify her affection... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 20:18

Mary Magdalene came ,.... Directly and immediately, being ready and willing to obey the commends of her Lord, with the utmost cheerfulness; and glad to go on such an errand, and carry such news to his disciples, even though her private interest and personal affection might have inclined her to desire to stay with Christ: and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord ; not only that he was risen from the dead, and she had been told so by the angels, but she had seen him herself, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 20:16

Mary - This word was no doubt spoken with uncommon emphasis; and the usual sound of Christ's voice accompanied it, so as immediately to prove that it must be Jesus. What transports of joy must have filled this woman's heart! Let it be remarked that Mary Magdalene sought Jesus more fervently, and continued more affectionately attached to him than any of the rest: therefore to her first, Jesus is pleased to show himself, and she is made the first herald of the Gospel of a risen Savior. After... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 20:17

Touch me not - Μη μου ἁπτου , Cling not to me. Ἁπτομαι has this sense in Job 31:7 , where the Septuagint use it for the Hebrew דבק dabak , which signifies to cleave, cling, stick, or be glued to. From Matthew 28:9 , it appears that some of the women held him by the feet and worshipped him. This probably Mary did; and our Lord seems to have spoken to her to this effect: "Spend no longer time with me now: I am not going immediately to heaven - you will have several opportunities... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 20:18

Told the disciples - that he had spoken these things - St. Mark says, Mark 16:11 , that the afflicted apostles could not believe what she had said. They seem to have considered it as an effect of her troubled imagination. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 20:16

Verse 16 16.Jesus saith to her, Mary! That Christ allowed Mary, a short time, to fall into a mistake, was useful for confirming her faith; but now, by a single word, he corrects her mistake. He had formerly addressed her, but his discourse seemed to be that of an unknown person; he now assumes the character of the Master, and addresses his disciple by name, as we have formerly seen that the good shepherd calleth to him by name every sheep of his flock, (John 10:3.) That voice of the... read more

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