John 20:14

KJV

And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when she had {G2036} thus {G5023} said {G2036}, she turned {G4762} herself {G1519} back {G3694}, and {G2532} saw {G2334} Jesus {G2424} standing {G2476}, and {G2532} knew {G1492} not {G3756} that {G3754} it was {G2076} Jesus {G2424}.

Complete Jewish Bible

As she said this, she turned around and saw Yeshua standing there, but she didn’t know it was he.

Berean Standard Bible

When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there; but she did not recognize that it was Jesus.

American Standard Version

When she had thus said, she turned herself back, and beholdeth Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 20:14 captures a deeply poignant moment in the immediate aftermath of Christ's resurrection, depicting Mary Magdalene's initial encounter with the risen Jesus. Overwhelmed by grief and the shock of the empty tomb, she turns from her conversation with angels to see Jesus standing before her, yet her sorrow-clouded vision and perhaps a divine veiling prevent her from recognizing Him as her Lord. This verse sets the stage for the intimate revelation that follows, highlighting the profound human experience of grief and the unexpected nature of divine presence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture in John's resurrection narrative, immediately following Mary Magdalene's discovery of the empty tomb and her subsequent interaction with two angels inside. In [John 20:1-2](/john/20-1-2 "John 20:1-2 - Mary Discovers the Empty Tomb"), Mary finds the stone rolled away and runs to inform Peter and John. After their brief investigation and departure in [John 20:3-10](/john/20-3-10 "John 20:3-10 - Peter and John at the Tomb"), Mary remains at the tomb, weeping. Her deep sorrow is emphasized in [John 20:11](/john/20-11 "John 20:11 - Mary Weeps at the Tomb"), where she stoops to look inside again, revealing her persistent grief and longing for Jesus' body. Her conversation with the angels in [John 20:12-13](/john/20-12-13 "John 20:12-13 - Mary's Encounter with Angels") about the "missing" Lord directly precedes her turning and seeing Jesus in verse 14, creating a dramatic shift from angelic inquiry to divine presence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the garden tomb, likely outside Jerusalem's city walls, early on the first day of the week, following the Sabbath. Jewish burial customs involved anointing the body, and Mary's previous actions (or intentions) suggest a desire to complete these rites. The profound grief she exhibits was a natural and expected response to the death of a beloved teacher and friend, especially one who had been executed. Women were often the first witnesses in significant biblical events, and their testimony, though sometimes undervalued in the patriarchal society of the time, is consistently affirmed in the Gospels. The early morning light, combined with Mary's tear-filled eyes, could have contributed to her initial difficulty in discerning Jesus' identity, though the text also hints at a deeper, spiritual or divinely-orchestrated reason for her unrecognition.
* **Key Themes:** John 20:14 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Gospel of John and the broader resurrection accounts. One prominent theme is the **Initial Unrecognition of Jesus** by His followers after His resurrection, which is also observed in other Gospels, such as with the disciples on the road to Emmaus in [Luke 24:16](/luke/24-16 "Luke 24:16 - The Disciples' Eyes Were Kept from Recognizing Jesus"). This unrecognition serves to underscore that recognition of the risen Christ is not merely a physical act of sight, but often requires a divine unveiling or a specific action by Jesus Himself, as will be seen in [John 20:16](/john/20-16 "John 20:16 - Jesus Calls Mary by Name"). Another crucial theme is the **Reality and Bodily Nature of the Resurrection**. Despite Mary's failure to recognize Him, Jesus is physically present, standing before her, affirming the literal, bodily resurrection of Christ as a foundational truth of Christian faith, countering any notion of a mere spiritual apparition.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Greek, _épō'_):** From G2036, a primary verb meaning "to speak or say (by word or writing)." In this context, it refers to Mary's immediate past utterance to the angels, expressing her distress over the missing body of Jesus. Her words, "They have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him" ([John 20:13](/john/20-13 "John 20:13 - Mary's Lament to the Angels")), set the emotional tone for her encounter, highlighting her preoccupation with the physical absence of Jesus.
* **turned (Greek, _stréphō'_):** From G4762, meaning "to twist, i.e. turn quite around or reverse (literally or figuratively)." This verb describes Mary's physical action of turning her body away from the tomb and the angels within. It signifies a shift in her physical orientation, leading directly to her seeing Jesus. This turning is a pivotal moment, moving her from a posture of looking into the empty tomb to facing the living Christ, though she does not yet realize it.
* **saw (Greek, _theōréō'_):** From G2334, meaning "to be a spectator of, i.e. discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge))." This word indicates a careful, observant seeing, more than a mere glance. Mary "saw" Jesus standing, implying a conscious act of perception. However, the subsequent clause reveals that this physical sight did not translate into recognition, suggesting a disconnect between visual perception and spiritual or cognitive understanding of His identity.
* **knew not (Greek, _eídō'_ + _ou'_):** From G1492 (_eídō_), meaning "to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know," combined with G3756 (_ou_), the absolute negative adverb "no or not." The phrase "knew not" (ᾔδει οὐ) signifies a lack of recognition or understanding of who the person standing before her was. Mary's inability to "know" Jesus, despite physically "seeing" Him, is central to the verse's meaning, highlighting the profound impact of her grief, the early morning light, or perhaps a divinely orchestrated veiling of Jesus' identity until the appointed moment of revelation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when she had thus said":** This clause directly links Mary's previous lament to the angels ("They have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him!") with her subsequent action. It emphasizes that her encounter with Jesus occurs while she is still deeply immersed in her sorrow and the immediate aftermath of her conversation about the missing body. Her words articulate her grief and her fundamental misunderstanding of the situation, setting a poignant stage for the unexpected appearance of the Lord.
* **"she turned herself back":** This describes Mary's physical movement. Having been stooping and looking into the tomb, and then speaking to the angels inside, she turns away from the tomb. This turning is a literal reorientation, leading her gaze away from the place of death and toward the living Christ, though she is unaware of His presence. It signifies a transition from focusing on absence and loss to encountering presence, even if unrecognized.
* **"and saw Jesus standing":** Following her turn, Mary's eyes fall upon a figure. The text explicitly states she "saw Jesus," affirming the physical reality of His resurrection and His immediate proximity. He is "standing," indicating a stable, embodied presence. This is a crucial moment of physical contact, yet it is immediately qualified by the subsequent clause, highlighting the paradox of seeing without recognizing.
* **"and knew not that it was Jesus":** This is the climactic and most striking part of the verse. Despite physically seeing Him, Mary does not comprehend or recognize that the person standing before her is Jesus. This lack of recognition can be attributed to several factors: her tear-filled eyes, the dim morning light, the possibility of a subtle change in Jesus' resurrected appearance, or, most profoundly, a temporary divine veiling of His identity until the precise moment He chooses to reveal Himself. This unrecognition underscores the depth of her grief and the surprising nature of the resurrection encounter.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as Mary, who desperately seeks Jesus, stands directly before Him yet fails to recognize Him. This creates a dramatic tension between the reader's knowledge of Jesus' resurrection and Mary's profound ignorance and grief. The narrative also builds **Suspense** and **Anticipation** by delaying Mary's recognition, leading the reader to wonder how and when Jesus will reveal Himself. This delay heightens the impact of Jesus' subsequent calling of her name in [John 20:16](/john/20-16 "John 20:16 - Jesus Calls Mary by Name"). Furthermore, there is a subtle **Contrast** between Mary's focus on the empty tomb and the angels' questions, and the living reality of Jesus standing outside, highlighting the shift from preoccupation with death to the vibrant truth of resurrection life.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 20:14 serves as a powerful theological statement about the nature of recognizing God's presence, particularly in moments of profound distress or expectation. Mary's inability to recognize Jesus, despite His physical presence, underscores that spiritual perception often transcends mere physical sight. It suggests that our grief, preconceived notions, or even divine timing can obscure our awareness of God's nearness. The verse subtly teaches that true recognition of Christ often comes not from our own efforts to discern, but from His sovereign initiative to reveal Himself, often through His voice or a specific action. This highlights the personal and relational nature of encountering the risen Lord, emphasizing that He meets us in our sorrow and reveals Himself in His perfect timing.

* [Luke 24:16](/luke/24-16 "Luke 24:16 - The Disciples' Eyes Were Kept from Recognizing Jesus")
* [John 21:4](/john/21-4 "John 21:4 - Disciples Do Not Recognize Jesus by the Sea")
* [Mark 16:12](/mark/16-12 "Mark 16:12 - Jesus Appears in a Different Form")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mary Magdalene's experience in John 20:14 offers profound insights for contemporary believers. In our own moments of deep sorrow, confusion, or spiritual blindness, we, like Mary, may find ourselves in the very presence of God, yet fail to perceive Him. Our grief, anxieties, or even our fixed expectations of how God should appear or act can cloud our spiritual vision. This narrative encourages us to cultivate a posture of patient expectation and attentiveness, even when circumstances seem bleak. It reminds us that God is often nearer than we realize, working in ways we may not immediately discern. Our recognition of His presence often comes not through our strenuous efforts to "see," but through His gracious initiative – His calling our name, speaking a word, or revealing Himself in an unexpected moment or through an ordinary encounter. We are invited to trust that even in our deepest despair, the risen Christ is present, waiting to make Himself known.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might grief or preconceived notions be preventing you from recognizing God's presence or work?**
* **How does Mary's initial unrecognition encourage you to be patient when you feel God is distant or silent?**
* **What might it mean for Jesus to "call your name" in your own spiritual journey, leading to a moment of recognition?**

### FAQ
**Why didn't Mary Magdalene recognize Jesus immediately?**

Answer: Mary's failure to recognize Jesus immediately is a common theme in post-resurrection appearances, and several factors likely contributed. Firstly, her intense grief and tears ([John 20:11](/john/20-11 "John 20:11 - Mary Weeps at the Tomb")) would have obscured her vision and judgment. Secondly, the early morning light in the garden may have been dim. Thirdly, and perhaps most significantly, Jesus' resurrected body may have possessed a subtly altered appearance, or He may have intentionally veiled His identity, as seen with the disciples on the road to Emmaus whose "eyes were kept from recognizing him" ([Luke 24:16](/luke/24-16 "Luke 24:16 - The Disciples' Eyes Were Kept from Recognizing Jesus")). Ultimately, recognition often came not merely by sight, but through a specific action or word from Jesus, as it does in [John 20:16](/john/20-16 "John 20:16 - Jesus Calls Mary by Name") when He calls her by name. This delay highlights that true recognition of the risen Christ is a spiritual revelation, not just a physical one.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 20:14, with Mary's initial unrecognition of Jesus, powerfully foreshadows the spiritual blindness that often afflicts humanity concerning the true identity of Christ. Just as Mary's grief obscured her physical sight, so too can sin, worldly preoccupations, or spiritual apathy prevent individuals from recognizing the Lord standing before them, whether in the person of a fellow believer, the pages of Scripture, or the quiet promptings of the Holy Spirit. However, this moment of unrecognition is swiftly followed by Jesus' personal revelation, demonstrating His compassionate initiative to make Himself known. This echoes the broader New Testament narrative where Christ, the [Light of the World](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"), comes to those who are spiritually blind, opening their eyes and revealing Himself not merely as a historical figure, but as the [Living Lord](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Jesus, the Living One"). Mary's eventual recognition, triggered by Jesus calling her name ([John 20:16](/john/20-16 "John 20:16 - Jesus Calls Mary by Name")), beautifully illustrates the personal call of the [Good Shepherd](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd") who knows His sheep by name and leads them into life, transforming sorrow into profound joy and recognition of His triumphant resurrection.

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

Luke 24:16

But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

John 21:4

But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

Mark 16:9

¶ Now when [Jesus] was risen early the first [day] of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

Matthew 28:9

And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

Luke 24:31

And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

John 8:59

Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

Song Of Solomon 3:3

The watchmen that go about the city found me: [to whom I said], Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?