John 20:13

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} they {G1565} say {G3004} unto her {G846}, Woman {G1135}, why {G5101} weepest thou {G2799}? She saith {G3004} unto them {G846}, Because {G3754} they have taken away {G142} my {G3450} Lord {G2962}, and {G2532} I know {G1492} not {G3756} where {G4226} they have laid {G5087} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“Why are you crying?” they asked her. “They took my Lord,” she said to them, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”

Berean Standard Bible

“Woman, why are you weeping?” they asked. “Because they have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I do not know where they have put Him.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 20:13 captures the profound sorrow of Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb on resurrection morning. Having returned after Peter and John departed, she encounters two angels who question her intense weeping. Her grief-stricken reply reveals her deep devotion to Jesus and her assumption that His body has been stolen, underscoring her initial human misunderstanding of the resurrection and setting the stage for the transformative revelation of the risen Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Mary Magdalene's second look into the tomb, where she sees "two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain" ([John 20:12](/john/20-12 "Mary Magdalene sees two angels in the tomb")). Her presence at the tomb is a continuation of the narrative beginning in [John 20:1](/john/20-1 "Mary Magdalene discovers the empty tomb"), where she first found the stone rolled away. After informing Peter and John, who then raced to the tomb and observed its emptiness ([John 20:3-10](/john/20-3-10 "Peter and John run to the tomb")), they departed, leaving Mary alone. Her persistent weeping outside the tomb, even after the disciples had left, highlights her singular devotion and deep emotional distress, leading to this pivotal angelic encounter.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish burial customs involved wrapping the deceased in linen cloths and placing the body in a rock-hewn tomb. The idea of a body being "taken away" or stolen was a grave concern, especially for religious leaders who feared a fabricated resurrection (cf. [Matthew 28:11-15](/matthew/28-11-15 "The guards are bribed to spread a false story")). For Mary, the absence of the body meant the desecration of her Lord's remains and the loss of a place to mourn. Women were often the primary mourners and caretakers of the dead, making Mary's presence at the tomb culturally appropriate, though her lingering after the male disciples had left speaks to her extraordinary devotion.
* **Key Themes:** Mary's profound grief and devotion are central to this verse. Her tears are not merely for a lost friend, but for "my Lord," signifying a deeply personal and reverent relationship that transcends mere acquaintance. Her assumption that Jesus' body was "taken away" highlights the initial human misunderstanding and **unbelief surrounding the resurrection**, even among those closest to Him. She is seeking a dead body to anoint or mourn, not a living Savior, which is a common theme in the early resurrection accounts, as seen in the women's initial confusion at the tomb in [Luke 24:4-5](/luke/24-4-5 "Angels question the women at the tomb"). Despite her confusion, Mary's persistent search for Jesus, even in despair, underscores the theme of **seeking the Lord** and foreshadows the joy of His imminent appearance to her.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Woman (Greek, _gynḗ_):** The angels' address to Mary as "Woman" (γύναι, _gynai_) is a respectful and common form of address in the New Testament, used by Jesus Himself towards His mother ([John 2:4](/john/2-4 "Jesus addresses His mother as 'Woman' at the wedding at Cana")) and other women. It is not a dismissive or harsh term, but a polite and direct way of engaging with her in her distress.
* **weepest thou (Greek, _klaíō_):** The verb used here, _klaíō_, describes a loud, audible weeping, often accompanied by wailing or sobbing, in contrast to silent crying. This emphasizes the intensity and depth of Mary's sorrow. Her grief is not merely internal; it is an overwhelming, outward expression of profound distress and loss, indicative of her broken heart.
* **my Lord (Greek, _kýrios_):** Mary's possessive declaration, "my Lord" (τὸν κύριόν μου, _ton Kyrion mou_), is highly significant. _Kýrios_ means "Master" or "Lord" and implies supreme authority. By using the possessive pronoun "my," Mary expresses not just a general reverence but a deep, personal allegiance and intimate relationship with Jesus. Her grief is intensely personal because she has lost the one she acknowledges as her sovereign Master and beloved teacher.
* **taken away (Greek, _aírō_):** The verb _aírō_ means "to lift up," "to take up," or "to take away." In this context, Mary uses it to imply that Jesus' body has been forcibly removed or stolen from the tomb. Her immediate assumption is one of desecration and theft, not resurrection, highlighting her limited understanding of the divine plan at this moment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou?"**: The angels' question is direct and empathetic, yet it also serves to prompt Mary to articulate her sorrow. It is a gentle inquiry into the source of her profound distress, initiating a dialogue that will ultimately lead to revelation. Their presence and question indicate a divine awareness of her suffering and a prelude to the breaking of her sorrow.
* **"She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord,"**: Mary's immediate response reveals the singular focus of her grief: the missing body of Jesus. Her use of "they" is vague, pointing to unknown perpetrators, and her conviction that "my Lord" has been "taken away" underscores her belief in a theft rather than a miraculous resurrection. This clause powerfully conveys her personal sense of violation and loss.
* **"and I know not where they have laid him."**: This concluding phrase expresses Mary's utter helplessness and desperate desire to find Jesus' body. Her lack of knowledge about its whereabouts amplifies her distress, as she cannot even perform the customary mourning rites or provide a proper burial. It highlights her disorientation and the depth of her confusion in the face of the empty tomb.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Dramatic Irony** is prominent, as the audience knows Jesus has risen, yet Mary, in her profound grief, is still searching for a dead body. This creates a poignant contrast between her limited understanding and the glorious reality. **Pathos** is powerfully evoked through Mary's intense weeping and her heartbroken declaration, drawing the reader into her sorrow and emphasizing the human dimension of the resurrection narrative. The simple, direct **Dialogue** between Mary and the angels efficiently conveys her emotional state and sets the stage for the subsequent divine encounter. Furthermore, Mary's persistent search for her "lost" Lord, even in despair, serves as a subtle **Foreshadowing** of His imminent appearance to her, transforming her weeping into joy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mary Magdalene's encounter with the angels at the tomb is a profound theological moment, illustrating the human struggle to comprehend divine revelation. Her overwhelming grief, though rooted in misunderstanding, underscores the depth of her love and devotion to Jesus, even in what she perceives as His ultimate defeat. The angels' question, "Woman, why weepest thou?", serves not as a rebuke but as a gentle invitation to move beyond her limited perspective of death and loss towards the dawning reality of resurrection. This passage highlights the theme that God often meets us in our deepest sorrow, and even in our confusion, His messengers (or He Himself) are present to guide us towards truth. It portrays the initial human inability to grasp the resurrection, a truth so radical it defied all prior expectations, even for those who had witnessed Jesus' miracles.

* [Luke 24:4-5](/luke/24-4-5 "Angels ask the women, 'Why seek the living among the dead?'")
* [Matthew 28:5-6](/matthew/28-5-6 "The angel tells the women, 'He is not here; for He is risen'")
* [Psalm 30:5](/psalms/30-5 "Weeping may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mary's experience at the tomb offers a powerful mirror for our own lives. In moments of profound grief, loss, or confusion, we, like Mary, can become so fixated on what we perceive to be "taken away" that we fail to see the greater, redemptive reality God is unfolding. Her unwavering devotion, despite her misunderstanding and despair, challenges us to persist in seeking the Lord even when circumstances are bewildering or painful. Mary's tears eventually gave way to recognition and joy, reminding us that sorrow, while real, is often a prelude to divine revelation. Her story encourages us to remain present in our pain, yet open to the unexpected ways God might reveal Himself, turning our mourning into dancing and our questions into worship. It teaches us that even when we feel utterly lost and alone, Christ is nearer than we imagine, ready to meet us and transform our sorrow into profound joy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically react when my expectations of God's work or presence are unmet, especially in times of loss or confusion?**
* **In what ways might my focus on what I believe has been "taken away" prevent me from recognizing God's new work or presence in my life?**
* **What does Mary's persistent devotion and search for Jesus, even in her deepest sorrow, teach me about my own faith journey and perseverance?**

### FAQ
**Why did Mary not immediately recognize the angels or understand their significance?**

Answer: Mary's overwhelming grief and singular focus on the missing body of Jesus likely clouded her perception. She was not expecting divine messengers but was consumed by the practical problem of a stolen corpse. Her mind was fixed on finding Jesus' physical remains, making her less receptive to the spiritual reality unfolding before her. In her distress, the angels were simply two men in white, not immediately identifiable as supernatural beings, and their question was merely an inquiry into her sorrow, not a revelation of resurrection.

**What is the significance of Mary calling Jesus "my Lord" even in her grief?**

Answer: Mary's use of "my Lord" (τὸν κύριόν μου) is highly significant because it reveals the depth and personal nature of her relationship with Jesus. It signifies not merely a respectful address but a profound allegiance and recognition of His authority and sovereignty over her life. Even in her despair, her identity is inextricably linked to Him as her Master and beloved teacher. This possessive declaration underscores her intense personal devotion and the deep, intimate bond she shared with Him, making His perceived loss all the more devastating.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mary Magdalene's poignant cry, "they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him," encapsulates the human despair that was utterly transformed by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Her sorrow, though deeply personal, echoes the universal human condition under the dominion of death and sin, where the ultimate "taking away" is the separation from God. However, this moment of profound grief at the empty tomb is precisely where the triumph of Christ is most vividly displayed. Jesus was indeed "taken away"—not by thieves, but through His sacrificial death on the cross, where He "took away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His body was laid in the tomb, but it was not to remain there. The very "taking away" that caused Mary such anguish was part of the divine plan for His glorious resurrection, fulfilling the prophecies that He would "rise again the third day" ([1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - Christ died for our sins and was raised")). Mary's desperate search for a dead body was met by the living Christ, who conquered death and the grave, holding "the keys of hell and of death" ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Jesus holds the keys of death and Hades")). Her weeping was turned into joy, symbolizing the hope offered to all who mourn, for in Christ, death has lost its sting, and sorrow is swallowed up in eternal life ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Death is swallowed up in victory")). The empty tomb, initially a source of confusion and grief for Mary, became the ultimate testament to Jesus' victory over death and the promise of new life for all who believe in Him, for He is "the resurrection and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus is the resurrection and the life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 20:15

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

Psalms 43:3

O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.

Psalms 43:5

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, [who is] the health of my countenance, and my God.

1 Samuel 1:8

Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? [am] not I better to thee than ten sons?

John 2:4

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

John 16:20

Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

John 16:22

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.