John 20:17

Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and [to] my God, and your God.

Jesus {G2424} saith {G3004} unto her {G846}, Touch {G680} me {G3450} not {G3361}; for {G1063} I am {G305} not yet {G3768} ascended {G305} to {G4314} my {G3450} Father {G3962}: but {G1161} go {G4198} to {G4314} my {G3450} brethren {G80}, and {G2532} say {G2036} unto them {G846}, I ascend {G305} unto {G4314} my {G3450} Father {G3962}, and {G2532} your {G5216} Father {G3962}; and {G2532} to my {G3450} God {G2316}, and {G2532} your {G5216} God {G2316}.

“Stop holding onto me,” Yeshua said to her, “because I haven’t yet gone back to the Father. But go to my brothers, and tell them that I am going back to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”

“Do not cling to Me,” Jesus said, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and tell My brothers, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’”

Jesus saith to her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended unto the Father: but go unto my brethren, and say to them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and my God and your God.

Context

This powerful encounter takes place on the morning of Jesus' resurrection, after Mary Magdalene discovers the empty tomb and encounters the risen Christ. She initially mistakes Him for the gardener (John 20:15). Upon hearing her name spoken by Jesus, she recognizes Him and, in her overwhelming joy and reverence, likely attempts to embrace or cling to Him. This verse captures Jesus' immediate instruction and the profound, transformative message He entrusts to her for His disciples, revealing a new phase in their relationship with God.

Key Themes

  • The Nature of the Resurrected Body and Imminent Ascension: Jesus' instruction, "Touch me not," is not a general prohibition against all physical contact (as He later invites Thomas to touch His wounds, John 20:27). Rather, it suggests that His resurrected body is not meant for earthly clinging or retention. His explanation, "for I am not yet ascended to my Father," highlights that His work is not fully complete until His ascension to glory. His post-resurrection appearances are a temporary, transitional phase before He takes His rightful place at the Father's right hand (Acts 1:9).
  • A New Relationship with God: The declaration, "I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God," signifies a profound shift for believers. Through Jesus' sacrifice, resurrection, and impending ascension, humanity is brought into a new covenant relationship with God. Believers are now able to call God "Father" in an intimate way, sharing in Jesus' sonship by adoption (Romans 8:15).
  • The Brotherhood of Believers: For the first time after His resurrection, Jesus refers to His disciples as "my brethren." This underscores the new familial bond established through His redemptive work, uniting all who believe in Him as part of God's family. Mary is commissioned to carry this vital message of new spiritual kinship.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase translated "Touch me not" is me haptou (μὴ ἅπτου). This is a present imperative, which often conveys the idea of "stop doing something" or "do not continue doing something." Therefore, a more precise understanding might be "Stop clinging to me" or "Do not hold on to me." This nuance suggests Mary was already holding onto Jesus, or was about to, and Jesus was gently redirecting her focus from a physical, earthly attachment to the spiritual reality of His imminent ascension and the new, spiritual relationship with God now available to all believers.

Practical Application

John 20:17 offers several enduring lessons for believers today:

  • Embrace the Spiritual Reality: Like Mary, we might sometimes want to cling to Jesus in ways that limit our understanding of His present spiritual reality. This verse reminds us that His presence is not confined to a physical space but is accessible through the Holy Spirit (John 14:16) and through faith.
  • Boldly Proclaim the Truth: Mary Magdalene, initially overcome with personal emotion, is immediately commissioned as the first evangelist of the resurrection. We are called to share the good news of Jesus' victory and the new life available through Him.
  • Rejoice in Our Adoption: The profound truth that God is now "our Father" through Christ should fill us with immense gratitude and confidence. This verse affirms our privileged position as children of God, enabling us to approach Him with trust and intimacy.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 16:28

    I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

  • Ephesians 4:8

    Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

  • Ephesians 4:10

    He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

  • Galatians 4:6

    And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

  • Galatians 4:7

    Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

  • Galatians 3:26

    For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

  • 1 Peter 1:3

    ¶ Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

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