John 20:15

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Jesus {G2424} saith {G3004} unto her {G846}, Woman {G1135}, why {G5101} weepest thou {G2799}? whom {G5101} seekest thou {G2212}? She {G1565}, supposing {G1380}{G3754} him to be {G2076} the gardener {G2780}, saith {G3004} unto him {G846}, Sir {G2962}, if {G1487} thou {G4771} have borne {G941} him {G846} hence {G941}, tell {G2036} me {G3427} where {G4226} thou hast laid {G5087} him {G846}, and I {G2504} will take {G142} him {G846} away {G142}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua said to her, “Lady, why are you crying? Whom are you looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you’re the one who carried him away, just tell me where you put him; and I’ll go and get him myself.”

Berean Standard Bible

“Woman, why are you weeping?” Jesus asked. “Whom are you seeking?” Thinking He was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried Him off, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 20:15 captures the poignant moment of Mary Magdalene's encounter with the resurrected Jesus, whom she, in her profound grief and confusion, mistakes for the gardener. Overcome with sorrow at the empty tomb, she weeps and desperately questions the stranger, pleading with him to reveal the location of Jesus' body so she might retrieve it herself. This verse beautifully sets the stage for the dramatic revelation of the living Lord to His devoted follower, highlighting the human struggle to grasp divine reality amidst deep emotional distress.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial turning point in John's resurrection narrative, immediately following Mary Magdalene's initial discovery of the empty tomb and her subsequent report to Peter and John. After Peter and John investigate the tomb and depart, still bewildered ([John 20:3-10](/john/20-3-10 "Peter and John at the Empty Tomb")), Mary remains behind, weeping. Her deep sorrow leads her to look into the tomb again, where she encounters two angels who question her grief ([John 20:11-13](/john/20-11-13 "Mary Encounters Angels at the Tomb")). John 20:15 then describes her turning around to see Jesus, though she does not recognize Him, setting up the intimate and transformative revelation in the very next verse ([John 20:16](/john/20-16 "Jesus Reveals Himself to Mary Magdalene")). The narrative progresses from initial confusion and despair to a personal encounter with the risen Christ, culminating in Mary's commission to bear witness to the disciples.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish burial customs involved preparing the body with spices and placing it in a tomb, often a rock-cut cave with a rolling stone to seal the entrance. These tombs were frequently located in gardens or orchards outside city walls, making the presence of a "gardener" a plausible assumption for someone tending the grounds. Mary's presence at the tomb reflects the cultural expectation of women to be involved in mourning rituals and the preparation of bodies for burial. Her desperate plea to "take him away" underscores her profound devotion and the cultural importance of proper burial. The idea of moving a body, even for re-burial, was not unheard of, particularly if a tomb was deemed temporary or if there was a desire to inter it in a more honorable location. Mary's immediate concern is not the supernatural, but the practical, rooted in her earthly understanding of death and burial.
* **Key Themes:** John 20:15 contributes significantly to several major themes in the Gospel of John and the broader biblical narrative. Central is the theme of **Profound Grief and Longing**, as Mary's tears and desperate search for Jesus' body underscore the deep emotional impact of His death on His followers. Her unwavering devotion, even in confusion, highlights the earnest **Seeking of God**, demonstrating that even when understanding is limited, persistent pursuit leads to encounter. The verse also powerfully illustrates the theme of **Unrecognized Presence**, a recurring motif in post-resurrection appearances (e.g., the disciples on the [road to Emmaus](/luke/24-13-35 "Luke 24:13-35 - The Emmaus Road Encounter")), where Jesus is present but not immediately identified, perhaps due to His glorified state, the disciples' emotional distress, or divine design. This leads to the theme of **Human Misconception vs. Divine Reality**, as Mary's earthly assumption about a "gardener" moving a dead body contrasts sharply with the divine reality of the resurrected Lord of Life. Finally, Jesus' compassionate inquiry, "Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?", introduces the theme of **Compassionate Engagement**, showing Jesus' tender attentiveness to human sorrow and His initiative in revealing Himself.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Woman (Greek, _gynḗ'_):** This term, while sounding formal or distant in English, was a common and respectful form of address in the New Testament era, not one of dismissal or disrespect. Jesus uses it elsewhere, such as to His mother at the [wedding in Cana](/john/2-4 "John 2:4 - Jesus and Mary at Cana") and from the [cross](/john/19-26 "John 19:26 - Jesus' Words from the Cross"). Its use here by Jesus conveys a tender, direct, and familiar address to Mary in her moment of profound grief.
* **Supposing (Greek, _dokéō'_):** This word implies Mary's subjective perception or belief, often based on appearances or limited information. It highlights her human assumption and misconception. She "thought" or "seemed" to herself that He was the gardener, underscoring her inability to recognize the resurrected Christ due to her emotional state and perhaps the altered appearance of Jesus' glorified body. This word emphasizes the gap between her limited human understanding and the divine reality unfolding before her.
* **Take away (Greek, _aírō'_):** This verb means "to lift up," "to take up or away." Mary uses it in the context of physically removing the body. Her desperate offer, "I will take him away," reveals her profound devotion and willingness to undertake the arduous task of moving a body herself, highlighting her singular focus on reverently caring for Jesus' remains. The word also carries a broader theological sense, as in "taking away sin," which subtly foreshadows Jesus' ultimate mission as the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Jesus saith unto her, 'Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?'":** Jesus' initial words are a compassionate and direct inquiry into Mary's emotional state and the object of her search. He addresses her grief immediately, acknowledging her tears, and then probes the reason for her presence and her specific quest. These questions are not merely rhetorical; they are designed to draw Mary into conversation and prepare her for the revelation that follows, demonstrating Jesus' profound empathy and His active engagement with human sorrow.
* **"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.'":** Mary's response reveals her deep misconception and her singular focus. Overwhelmed by grief and the shock of the empty tomb, she attributes the disappearance of Jesus' body to the most logical earthly explanation: the gardener. Her address, "Sir" (Greek: _Kyrios_, a respectful title, but not yet acknowledging divinity), and her conditional plea ("if thou have borne him hence") underscore her desperate hope that the body has simply been moved. Her fervent declaration, "and I will take him away," speaks volumes about her unwavering devotion and her desire to honor Jesus even in death, highlighting her profound love and commitment.

#### Literary Devices
John 20:15 employs several significant literary devices. **Irony** is powerfully present, as Mary Magdalene, seeking the crucified Jesus, speaks directly to the resurrected Lord, mistaking Him for a common gardener. This dramatic irony heightens the tension and anticipation for the moment of recognition. **Symbolism** also plays a role, with the garden setting subtly evoking the [Garden of Eden](/genesis/2-8 "Genesis 2:8 - The Garden of Eden"), hinting at Jesus as the "new Adam" who brings new life and reverses the curse of sin and death in a new creation. The **Dialogue** between Jesus and Mary is concise but profound, revealing Mary's deep distress and Jesus' compassionate yet probing nature. This exchange serves as a crucial setup for the climactic **Anagnorisis** (recognition) that occurs in the subsequent verse, where Jesus' simple utterance of her name shatters her misconception and reveals His true identity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 20:15 is a profound theological statement on the nature of resurrection and the way God often reveals Himself in unexpected ways. Mary's experience mirrors the human tendency to seek God in the familiar or in ways that align with our preconceived notions, even when He is present in an entirely new and surprising form. Her grief, though understandable, initially blinds her to the glorious reality standing before her. This encounter underscores the truth that the resurrection radically transforms reality, moving beyond human understanding of death and burial to God's triumphant act of new creation. It emphasizes that the living Christ is not found among the dead, and that true recognition often requires a divine unveiling, transforming sorrow into joyous revelation.

* [Psalm 42:1-2](/psalms/42-1-2 "Psalm 42:1-2 - Thirsting for God"): "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?" (Mary's desperate longing for Jesus echoes the soul's thirst for God).
* [Luke 24:16](/luke/24-16 "Luke 24:16 - Emmaus Disciples' Unrecognized Jesus"): "But their eyes were holden that they should not know him." (Similar to Mary, the Emmaus disciples initially fail to recognize the risen Jesus).
* [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected"): "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not." (Jesus, the "man of sorrows," now encounters Mary in her sorrow, demonstrating His empathy).

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mary Magdalene's encounter with the resurrected Jesus in John 20:15 offers a powerful mirror for our own spiritual journeys. Like Mary, we often find ourselves searching for God in expected places, or clinging to what we know, even when He is doing a new thing. Her tears remind us that grief is a natural and valid human emotion, and that Jesus is intimately acquainted with our sorrows. He meets us in our pain, even when we are unable to recognize His presence. This verse challenges us to consider how our own assumptions, expectations, or emotional states might sometimes prevent us from seeing God at work in unexpected ways or in unexpected people. Mary's unwavering devotion, despite her misunderstanding, serves as an inspiration to earnestly seek Jesus, even when the path is unclear or our hearts are heavy. The promise embedded in this scene is that our persistent seeking, coupled with Jesus' compassionate initiative, will ultimately lead to a transformative encounter that turns our weeping into joy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be "supposing" or expecting God to appear in a certain way, potentially missing His presence in an unexpected form?**
* **How do you typically respond to grief or confusion in your spiritual journey? Does Mary's example encourage you to persist in seeking, even when you don't understand?**
* **What does Jesus' compassionate question, "Why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?", reveal about His character and His approach to those who are hurting?**
* **How can Mary's deep devotion, even to a seemingly "lost" Jesus, inspire your own commitment to Christ, whether in times of clarity or confusion?**

### FAQ

**Why didn't Mary recognize Jesus immediately?**
Answer: Mary's inability to recognize Jesus immediately is a common theme in post-resurrection appearances ([Luke 24:16](/luke/24-16 "Luke 24:16 - Emmaus Disciples' Unrecognized Jesus"); [Luke 24:31](/luke/24-31 "Luke 24:31 - Emmaus Disciples' Eyes Opened")). Several factors could be at play. First, her profound grief and tears likely obscured her vision and judgment. Second, Jesus' resurrected body may have had a different, glorified appearance that was not immediately familiar. Third, it's possible there was a divine veiling, where God intentionally prevented recognition until the opportune moment, as part of His revelatory plan. This initial non-recognition serves to highlight the miraculous nature of the resurrection and the need for a divine unveiling for full comprehension.

**What is the significance of Mary thinking Jesus was the gardener?**
Answer: Mary's assumption that Jesus was the gardener ([John 20:15](/john/20-15 "John 20:15 - Mary Mistakes Jesus for the Gardener")) is significant on several levels. Practically, tombs were often located in gardens, making a gardener's presence plausible. Symbolically, the garden setting evokes the [Garden of Eden](/genesis/2-8 "Genesis 2:8 - The Garden of Eden"), where sin and death entered the world. Jesus, the "new Adam," appearing in a garden, subtly points to His role in bringing new life and reversing the curse. While Mary's assumption was a mistake, it carries a profound irony: the one she thought was merely tending an earthly garden was, in fact, the Lord of a new creation, cultivating spiritual life.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 20:15, though a moment of human misunderstanding, is deeply Christ-centered, foreshadowing and illuminating profound truths about Jesus' redemptive work. Mary's desperate search for a dead body, and her encounter with the living Christ, perfectly encapsulates the core message of the Gospel: that the one who died for our sins is now gloriously alive. Jesus' compassionate questions to Mary, "Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?", reveal His tender heart for humanity's sorrow and His active pursuit of those who seek Him, even when they are blinded by grief or misconception. He is the ultimate "gardener" not in the sense of tending a physical plot, but as the one who cultivates spiritual life, bringing forth a new creation from the barrenness of death. His resurrection appearance to Mary, the first to an individual, is a powerful testament to His victory over sin and death, transforming mourning into joyous mission. This scene foreshadows the church's ongoing experience of encountering the risen Lord, who continually meets us in our confusion, reveals Himself through His Word, and commissions us to share the good news of His triumph, just as Mary was sent to tell the disciples, "I have seen the Lord!" ([John 20:18](/john/20-18 "John 20:18 - Mary's Proclamation")). His resurrection is the foundation of our hope, assuring us that because He lives, we too shall live ([John 14:19](/john/14-19 "John 14:19 - Jesus Lives, and So Will You")). He is the true life, and the one who came to give us life more abundantly, even when we are searching for Him in the wrong places, He meets us and calls us by name ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Jesus Gives Abundant 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 20:13

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 18:7

Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.

Mark 16:6

And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

1 Samuel 1:16

Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.

Song Of Solomon 3:2

I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

Matthew 28:5

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

John 1:38

Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?