John 20:13

And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

John 20:13 (KJV)

Context

John 20:13 is part of the resurrection narrative. On the morning of the resurrection, Mary Magdalene, one of Jesus’ devoted followers, visits the tomb and finds it empty. She has already reported the missing body to Peter and John, who investigated and left. Mary remains outside the tomb, weeping. As she weeps, she stoops to look inside and sees two angels in white sitting where Jesus’ body had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. The angels ask her, “Woman, why weepest thou?” Her reply reveals her deep sorrow and confusion: “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.”

Meaning

Mary’s response shows that she is grieving not only because of Jesus’ death but also because she does not know where His body has been taken. Her grief is compounded by the fact that she cannot even pay her last respects to Him. The angels’ question serves as a prompt for Mary to express her grief and confusion. The angels are aware of the significance of Jesus’ resurrection and know the reason behind Mary’s distress. Their purpose is not only to comfort Mary but also to prepare her for the encounter with the risen Jesus. The question also gently rebukes her sorrow, for though the body of her Lord was not there, He was risen from the dead and was alive.

Despite her grief and confusion, Mary still refers to Jesus as “my Lord.” Her relationship with Jesus is evident through her longing for His presence and concern for His body. Mary’s grief does not diminish her faith; rather, it fuels her earnest desire to find Jesus. Her words reflect her love and devotion, even in despair.

Biblical connections

The immediate continuation of this verse, John 20:14-18, describes Jesus’ appearance to Mary Magdalene. After she speaks, she turns around and sees Jesus standing there, though she does not recognize Him at first. Jesus asks her the same question the angels asked, adding, “Whom seekest thou?” This shows that she was not only weeping for the loss of Him but was also seeking where He had been carried. Jesus then reveals Himself to her, bringing comfort and reassurance. This encounter demonstrates the victory of Jesus over death and the fulfillment of His promise to rise again.

Application

Mary’s response reminds us of the importance of clinging to our faith even in times of sorrow and confusion. Despite her deep grief, Mary did not lose sight of her relationship with Jesus. Similarly, when we face trials and hardships, we should hold onto our faith and trust that God is with us, even when we may not fully understand His plans. The narrative highlights the tenderness of Jesus toward Mary in her grief and His gentle correction of her sorrow, assuring us that He draws near to those who seek Him.

Reflection

Mary’s tears were real, yet they were soon turned to joy. Her sorrow was not rebuked harshly but gently redirected toward the risen Savior. In our own moments of confusion and loss, we can bring our honest questions to the Lord, trusting that He sees our tears and knows our hearts. Even when we do not recognize His presence at first, He is near, ready to reveal Himself to those who seek Him.