John 20:16

Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

Jesus {G2424} saith {G3004} unto her {G846}, Mary {G3137}. She {G1565} turned {G4762} herself, and saith {G3004} unto him {G846}, Rabboni {G4462}; which {G3739} is to say {G3004}, Master {G1320}.

Yeshua said to her, “Miryam!” Turning, she cried out to him in Hebrew, “Rabbani!” (that is, “Teacher!”)

Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turneth herself, and saith unto him in Hebrew, Rabboni; which is to say, Teacher.

Commentary

John 20:16 captures a deeply personal and transformative moment in the resurrection narrative, where Mary Magdalene, consumed by grief and confusion, finally recognizes the risen Jesus through the sound of her own name.

Context

This pivotal verse takes place in the garden tomb on the first Easter morning. Mary Magdalene was among the first to discover the empty tomb and, after Peter and John had departed (John 20:10), she remained weeping outside (John 20:11). She had already encountered two angels and then Jesus Himself, whom she initially mistook for the gardener due to her tears and preoccupation with finding His body (John 20:15). Her sorrow had veiled her eyes to His identity.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Personal Recognition: The simple, direct utterance of her name, "Mary," by Jesus, is the catalyst for her recognition. It cuts through her grief and confusion, reminding her of the intimate, personal relationship she had with Him. This highlights Jesus' deep knowledge and care for each individual follower.
  • Divine Revelation: Mary's recognition was not merely physical sight but a spiritual revelation. It demonstrates that truly knowing and understanding the risen Christ often requires more than just seeing Him; it involves hearing His voice and receiving spiritual insight. This moment serves as powerful evidence of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.
  • Transformation from Sorrow to Joy: The immediate shift in Mary's state from weeping and despair to joyous recognition and worship underscores the profound, life-altering impact of encountering the resurrected Lord. Her grief is instantly replaced by an overwhelming sense of wonder and adoration.

Linguistic Insights

Jesus' call, "Mary," is a deeply personal address, spoken in a way that resonated uniquely with her. Mary's immediate response, "Rabboni," is highly significant. This Aramaic word (ῥαββουνί - rabbouni) is a more emphatic and reverent form of "Rabbi" (teacher). While "Rabbi" means "my teacher," "Rabboni" conveys "my great master" or "my revered teacher," indicating a profound sense of personal devotion, awe, and submission. It signifies not just intellectual acknowledgement but a heartfelt recognition of His divine authority and personal lordship.

Practical Application

This tender encounter offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • God Knows Your Name: Just as Jesus called Mary by name, He knows each of His followers personally and intimately. This truth offers immense comfort, reminding us that we are individually known, loved, and cared for by our Creator. This echoes the imagery of the Good Shepherd calling His own sheep by name.
  • The Power of His Voice: Sometimes, in our own moments of confusion, grief, or searching, it is the distinctive "voice" of God—whether through His Word, a prompting of the Holy Spirit, or the counsel of others—that brings clarity and recognition of His presence.
  • Our Response to Recognition: Mary's immediate "turning" (from weeping to Him) and her cry of "Rabboni" serve as a model for our own response when we recognize the Lord's presence and call in our lives: a turning towards Him in worship, devotion, and renewed allegiance.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 10:3

    To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

  • 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?

  • John 6:25

    And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?

  • Acts 10:3

    He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

  • Genesis 22:11

    ¶ And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here [am] I.

  • Acts 9:4

    And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

  • Isaiah 43:1

    ¶ But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called [thee] by thy name; thou [art] mine.
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