John 20:17
Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
John 20:17 (KJV)
Context
Jesus had just risen from the dead, and Mary Magdalene, who had come to the tomb early in the morning, found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. She was distraught and weeping until Jesus appeared to her and called her by name.
Meaning
When Jesus says, “Touch me not,” He is not prohibiting physical contact forever. The Greek phrase is better understood as “do not cling to me” or “stop holding on to me.” Jesus’ body was tangible, and He later invited Thomas to touch Him. Instead, Jesus had a specific reason for asking Mary not to hold on to Him at that moment.
Jesus explains that He has not yet ascended to the Father. This indicates that something important and transformative was going to take place. The resurrection was not just a return to life but a victory over death and the initiation of a new phase. Mary must not hold Him back from the mission ahead; she is given a new commission: to go to “my brethren”—the disciples—and announce His ascension.
Jesus tells Mary to go and inform His disciples that He is ascending to His Father and their Father, His God and their God. This statement emphasizes the relationship between Jesus and His followers. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has paved the way for a restored relationship between humanity and God, where believers can call God their Father and have a personal connection with Him. The disciples share in Jesus’ relationship with the Father, though not in His unique divine sonship.
Biblical connections
Mary’s role as the first messenger of the resurrection is significant; she becomes an apostle to the apostles, entrusted with the foundational proclamation of the risen Christ. The ascension is not merely a departure but the beginning of a new phase: Jesus goes to prepare a place for His followers and will send the Holy Spirit.
Application
This verse reminds us of the profound significance of Jesus’ resurrection. It is a reminder of the hope and assurance we have as believers. It also highlights the importance of sharing the good news of the resurrection and the transformative power of Christ’s sacrifice with others. Jesus’ words reveal the fulfillment of His mission on earth. His death and resurrection accomplished salvation for mankind, opening the way for reconciliation with God. The disciples, and all believers thereafter, would experience a new relationship with God as their Father, made possible through Jesus’ redemptive work.
Reflection
Jesus calls us by name, just as He called Mary, and He entrusts us with the message of His resurrection. We are invited into a personal relationship with God as our Father, and we are sent to share this good news with others.
