John 20:16

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 20:16 marks the profound moment of recognition and revelation for Mary Magdalene in the garden tomb. After her initial confusion and grief, the simple, intimate utterance of her name by the risen Jesus cuts through her sorrow, transforming her despair into immediate, joyous recognition. Her fervent response, "Rabboni," signifies not merely intellectual acknowledgment but a deep, personal declaration of Him as her revered Master and Lord, cementing the first individual encounter with the resurrected Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal verse is situated within the immediate aftermath of Jesus' resurrection, as narrated in [John 20](/john/20 "John 20 - The Resurrection Account"). Mary Magdalene, having come to the tomb early and found it empty, had already alerted Peter and John, who subsequently investigated and departed ([John 20:1-10](/john/20-1-10 "John 20:1-10 - The Empty Tomb Discovered")). Overwhelmed by grief and the apparent disappearance of Jesus' body, Mary remained weeping outside the tomb ([John 20:11](/john/20-11 "John 20:11 - Mary Weeps at the Tomb")). She then encountered two angels within the tomb, and subsequently, Jesus Himself, whom she initially failed to recognize, mistaking Him for the gardener due to her tear-filled eyes and preoccupation with finding His corpse ([John 20:14-15](/john/20-14-15 "John 20:14-15 - Mary's Initial Encounter")). Verse 16 serves as the climactic turning point of this encounter, where her spiritual blindness is lifted.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is a garden tomb, likely a private burial site, outside Jerusalem. In Jewish funerary customs of the time, women played a significant role in preparing bodies for burial and mourning. Mary Magdalene's presence at the tomb, her deep sorrow, and her desire to honor Jesus' body align with these cultural practices. Her initial failure to recognize Jesus is understandable given the emotional distress, the early morning light, and the unexpected nature of His appearance. The use of "Rabboni" (ῥαββουνί) reflects the common practice of addressing esteemed teachers or masters in Judea, particularly in Aramaic-speaking contexts. This term, a more emphatic form of "Rabbi," denotes a deep reverence and personal devotion, highlighting the student-teacher relationship that was foundational to Jewish discipleship.
* **Key Themes:** John 20:16 powerfully encapsulates several key themes central to the Gospel of John and the broader resurrection narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **personal relationship and intimacy** with Christ, as Jesus calls Mary by name, signifying His individual knowledge and care for His followers, echoing the imagery of the [Good Shepherd who calls His own sheep by name](/john/10-3 "John 10:3 - The Good Shepherd Calls His Sheep"). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **divine revelation and recognition**, demonstrating that true understanding of the risen Christ often transcends mere physical sight, requiring a spiritual awakening initiated by His voice or presence. Mary's transformation from despair to worship exemplifies the **power of the resurrection to bring joy and hope** even in the deepest sorrow, a central message of the Easter narrative and the ultimate triumph over death and sin, as foreshadowed in passages like [Jesus' promise of joy to His disciples](/john/16-20-22 "John 16:20-22 - Sorrow Turned to Joy").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mary (Greek, _María'_):** From the Hebrew "Miriam," this is the direct, personal name of Mary Magdalene. Jesus' utterance of her name is not a generic address but a specific, intimate call that bypasses her grief and confusion, directly engaging her identity and relationship with Him. It signifies His personal knowledge of her and serves as the catalyst for her recognition.
* **turned (Greek, _stréphō'_):** This verb means "to twist, i.e. turn quite around or reverse." In this context, it describes Mary's physical action of turning towards Jesus, but it also carries the profound spiritual implication of a turning from her state of weeping and misunderstanding to one of recognition, worship, and renewed focus on the Lord. It marks a pivotal shift in her perception and emotional state.
* **Rabboni (Chaldee, _rhabboní'_):** This Aramaic term is a more emphatic and reverent form of "Rabbi" (teacher). While "Rabbi" means "my teacher," "Rabboni" conveys a deeper sense of "my great master" or "my revered teacher," indicating profound personal devotion, awe, and submission. It signifies not just intellectual acknowledgment but a heartfelt recognition of His divine authority and personal lordship, reflecting the depth of her relationship and newfound understanding of His resurrected status.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Jesus saith unto her, Mary."**: This clause presents the simple yet profoundly impactful action of Jesus speaking Mary's name. It is the moment of divine initiative, where Jesus, knowing her grief and confusion, calls her by name, cutting through her sorrow and revealing His identity in a deeply personal way. This direct address is the key to her recognition.
* **"She turned herself,"**: This describes Mary's immediate physical and spiritual response to hearing her name spoken by Jesus. It signifies a shift in her focus and perception, moving from her previous state of weeping and looking for a body to turning towards the living Christ. This turning is both literal (physically turning to face Him fully) and metaphorical (turning from despair to hope, from misunderstanding to recognition).
* **"and saith unto him, Rabboni;"**: This clause captures Mary's fervent, immediate response of recognition and worship. Her use of "Rabboni" (My Great Master) expresses not only her identification of Him but also her deep reverence, devotion, and submission to Him as her Lord. It is a cry of intimate acknowledgment and adoration.
* **"which is to say, Master."**: This parenthetical explanation, provided by the Gospel writer, clarifies the meaning of "Rabboni" for a Greek-speaking audience. It confirms that Mary's address was a title of profound respect and authority, emphasizing Jesus' role as the ultimate teacher and Lord, whose authority is now confirmed by His resurrection.

#### Literary Devices
John 20:16 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is **Direct Address** or **Apostrophe**, as Jesus calls Mary by her specific name, "Mary." This personal invocation is the catalyst for recognition, highlighting the intimate, individual relationship between Christ and His followers. The scene also functions as a powerful **Recognition Scene**, a common biblical motif where a character's true identity is revealed after a period of misunderstanding or disguise. Here, Mary's spiritual blindness is lifted, transforming her perception. There is a stark **Contrast** presented: Mary's initial state of profound grief and confusion ([John 20:11](/john/20-11 "John 20:11 - Mary Weeps at the Tomb")) is immediately contrasted with her joyous recognition and worship upon hearing her name. This dramatic shift underscores the transformative power of encountering the risen Lord. Furthermore, the "voice" of Jesus serves as a powerful **Symbolism** of divine intimacy and revelation, emphasizing that true knowledge of Christ often comes through a personal, spiritual encounter rather than mere physical sight.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 20:16 is a foundational passage for understanding the nature of the resurrected Christ's relationship with His disciples and the personal intimacy of divine revelation. It demonstrates that the risen Jesus is not a distant, abstract figure, but one who intimately knows and calls His own by name, transcending the boundaries of death and grief. This personal call initiates a profound transformation from sorrow to joy, from confusion to clarity, and from despair to worship. It underscores the truth that recognition of the Lord often comes not through intellectual reasoning alone, but through a spiritual encounter facilitated by His divine initiative and personal address. This encounter validates His identity as the living Master and Lord, whose resurrection brings ultimate hope and redefines the relationship between humanity and God.

* [Isaiah 43:1](/isaiah/43-1 "Isaiah 43:1 - God Calls His People by Name")
* [John 10:3](/john/10-3 "John 10:3 - The Good Shepherd Calls His Sheep")
* [Revelation 2:17](/revelation/2-17 "Revelation 2:17 - The New Name")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The tender encounter between Jesus and Mary Magdalene in John 20:16 offers profound lessons for every believer. In moments of deep grief, confusion, or spiritual searching, we, like Mary, may struggle to perceive the Lord's presence, even when He is standing right before us. This verse reminds us that Jesus knows us intimately, by name, and His personal call is often the very thing that cuts through our despair and opens our eyes to His reality. It encourages us to cultivate a listening heart, attuned to His voice, whether through His written Word, the prompting of the Holy Spirit, or the guidance of His community. When we hear His call, our response should mirror Mary's: a turning towards Him in immediate, heartfelt recognition and worship, acknowledging Him as our "Rabboni," our revered Master and Lord. This transformative encounter empowers us to move from weeping to witnessing, from personal sorrow to proclaiming His resurrection.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be "weeping" or experiencing confusion, preventing you from fully recognizing Jesus' presence?**
* **How has Jesus personally "called your name" in your life, leading you to a deeper recognition of Him?**
* **What does it mean for you to address Jesus as "Rabboni," and how does that inform your daily walk and worship?**
* **How can you cultivate a greater sensitivity to the "voice" of Jesus in your life, enabling you to turn to Him in moments of need?**

### FAQ
**Why did Mary Magdalene not recognize Jesus immediately?**

Answer: Mary Magdalene's failure to recognize Jesus immediately was likely due to a combination of factors. Her intense grief and tears would have blurred her vision and clouded her judgment ([John 20:11](/john/20-11 "John 20:11 - Mary Weeps at the Tomb")). The early morning light in the garden tomb may have also obscured His features. Furthermore, she was preoccupied with finding His body and assumed He was dead, leading her to mistake Him for the gardener ([John 20:15](/john/20-15 "John 20:15 - Mary Mistakes Jesus for the Gardener")). Her expectation was to find a corpse, not a resurrected Lord. It was only when Jesus spoke her name, "Mary," in a familiar and intimate way, that her spiritual eyes were opened, and she recognized Him. This highlights that true recognition of the risen Christ often requires more than physical sight; it demands a spiritual revelation initiated by Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 20:16 beautifully illustrates the Christ-centered fulfillment of prophecy and the nature of His post-resurrection ministry. Jesus, as the resurrected Lord, perfectly embodies the [Good Shepherd who knows His sheep by name](/john/10-3 "John 10:3 - The Good Shepherd Calls His Sheep"), a theme He Himself taught. His personal call to Mary, "Mary," signifies His continued, intimate relationship with His followers, demonstrating that His death and resurrection did not distance Him but rather deepened His capacity for personal communion. He is the ultimate "Master" (didáskalos), whose authority is now fully vindicated by His victory over death, confirming His teachings and His identity as the Son of God. This encounter is not merely a historical event but a prototype for every believer's personal encounter with the risen Christ, where His voice cuts through our confusion and calls us into a renewed relationship of worship and discipleship. Mary's transformation from grief to joy, and her immediate commission to proclaim the resurrection ([John 20:17-18](/john/20-17-18 "John 20:17-18 - Mary Proclaims the Resurrection")), foreshadows the Great Commission given to all believers to bear witness to the resurrected Lord, echoing the power of the Gospel to transform lives and send disciples out into the world with a message of hope.

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 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.