John 20:17

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“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.”

Berean Standard Bible

“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.’”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 20:17 records a pivotal post-resurrection encounter between the risen Jesus and Mary Magdalene, where Jesus issues a unique instruction, "Touch me not," followed by a profound commission and theological declaration. This verse marks a transition in the disciples' relationship with Jesus and God the Father, signaling the impending ascension of Christ and the establishment of a new, intimate familial bond between God and believers through Jesus' finished work. It transforms Mary from a grieving follower into the first herald of the resurrection, carrying a message of new spiritual kinship to the disciples.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after Mary Magdalene's discovery of the empty tomb and her initial, tearful encounter with the risen Jesus. Having previously mistaken Him for the gardener, her recognition comes only when Jesus calls her by name [John 20:15-16](/john/20-15-16 "John 20:15-16 - Mary's Encounter with the Risen Jesus"). Her response, likely an attempt to embrace or cling to Him in overwhelming joy and relief, prompts Jesus' surprising command. This interaction sets the stage for Jesus' subsequent appearances to the disciples, culminating in His commissioning of them and eventual ascension. The entire chapter of [John 20](/john/20 "John 20 - The Resurrection") emphasizes the reality of the resurrection and the new spiritual order it inaugurates.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish culture, physical contact could convey various meanings, including reverence, healing, or a desire to retain presence. After His resurrection, Jesus' body was glorified yet still tangible, as evidenced by His later invitation to Thomas to touch His wounds [John 20:27](/john/20-27 "John 20:27 - Jesus Appears to Thomas"). Therefore, Jesus' instruction to Mary is not a general prohibition against all touch. Rather, it likely addresses a specific cultural or theological implication of Mary's action. Perhaps her desire to cling to Him reflected an earthly understanding of His presence, akin to holding onto a physical body, which was incompatible with His imminent ascension and the new spiritual reality of His presence through the Holy Spirit. The context also highlights the significant role of women as primary witnesses to the resurrection, challenging the patriarchal norms of the time.
* **Key Themes:** John 20:17 contributes significantly to several key themes within John's Gospel and broader New Testament theology. It underscores the **reality and nature of the resurrected body**, which is glorified and not bound by earthly limitations, anticipating the **Ascension of Christ** as the completion of His redemptive work [Acts 1:9-11](/acts/1-9-11 "Acts 1:9-11 - The Ascension of Jesus"). Crucially, it introduces the theme of a **new covenant relationship with God**, where believers, through Christ, are granted intimate access to God as "Father" and "God," sharing in Jesus' filial relationship [Romans 8:15](/romans/8-15 "Romans 8:15 - Spirit of Adoption"). Finally, Jesus' designation of His disciples as "my brethren" establishes the theme of the **brotherhood of believers**, united in a new spiritual family through their shared relationship with the Father through Christ [Hebrews 2:11-12](/hebrews/2-11-12 "Hebrews 2:11-12 - Jesus, Our Brother").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Touch (Greek, _háptomai'_):** G680. This verb means "to attach oneself to," "to cling to," or "to lay hold of." The Greek imperative `mḗ háptou` is a present imperative, which often carries the nuance of "stop doing something already in progress" or "do not continue to do something." Thus, Jesus' command is not merely "do not touch me" but more accurately "stop clinging to me" or "do not hold on to me." This suggests Mary was either already embracing Him or was about to do so with a strong, possessive grip, reflecting her desire to retain His physical presence.
* **Ascend (Greek, _anabaínō'_):** G305. Meaning "to go up," "to arise," or "to climb up." Jesus' use of this word here refers to His imminent return to the Father in heaven, signifying the completion of His earthly mission and His exaltation to the right hand of God. This ascension is not merely a physical departure but a theological necessity, marking the transition from His post-resurrection appearances to His heavenly enthronement and the subsequent sending of the Holy Spirit.
* **Father (Greek, _patḗr'_):** G3962. A primary word for "father," literally or figuratively, near or remote. Jesus consistently referred to God as "my Father," emphasizing His unique Sonship. However, in this verse, He expands this intimate relationship to include His disciples, declaring, "my Father, and your Father." This signifies a radical shift in humanity's relationship with God, made possible by Jesus' atoning work, resurrection, and impending ascension, granting believers adoption into God's family.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not;":** Jesus' initial instruction to Mary Magdalene, likely a gentle redirection from an attempt to cling to Him. This command is not a prohibition against all physical contact (as He later allows Thomas to touch His wounds), but rather a theological statement about the nature of His resurrected body and the new phase of His relationship with humanity. Mary's clinging reflects an earthly desire to retain His physical presence, which is incompatible with His imminent heavenly glorification.
* **"for I am not yet ascended to my Father:":** This clause provides the reason for Jesus' command. His work on earth, though culminating in the resurrection, is not fully complete until His ascension to the Father. His post-resurrection appearances are a temporary, transitional phase. The verb "ascended" (perfect tense in Greek) implies an action that is about to happen and will have lasting results, signifying His return to His divine glory and authority.
* **"but go to my brethren, and say unto them,":** Jesus commissions Mary, transforming her from a recipient of comfort into the first evangelist of the resurrection. The term "my brethren" is significant; it is the first time Jesus refers to His disciples in this intimate familial way after His resurrection, highlighting the new spiritual bond established through His redemptive work. Mary is entrusted with a vital message for the disciples, who were likely still hiding in fear and disbelief.
* **"I ascend unto my Father, and your Father;":** This is the core of the message Mary is to deliver. Jesus reiterates His own impending ascension and, crucially, declares that His Father is now also *their* Father. This signifies the profound theological truth that through Jesus, believers are brought into an adopted sonship, sharing in His intimate relationship with God. This is a new, unprecedented level of access and intimacy with the Creator.
* **"and to my God, and your God.":** This parallel phrase reinforces the previous declaration, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of this new relationship. Not only is God now their Father, but also their God in a unique, personal covenantal way, mirroring Jesus' own relationship with the Father as God. This highlights the full reconciliation and communion made possible by Christ's work, establishing a new spiritual reality for all who believe.

#### Literary Devices
John 20:17 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Commissioning**, as Jesus immediately transforms Mary Magdalene from a grieving follower into the first bearer of the resurrection news to His disciples, effectively making her an apostle to the apostles. There is also profound **Symbolism** in Jesus' instruction "Touch me not." Mary's desire to cling to Jesus represents an earthly, temporal understanding of His presence, which is now being superseded by a spiritual, eternal reality. Jesus redirects her from a physical attachment to a spiritual mission, symbolizing the shift from His physical presence to His spiritual indwelling through the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, the concluding phrase, "my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God," exhibits a beautiful **Parallelism** and a subtle **Chiasm** (A-B-A'-B' structure where "my Father" corresponds to "my God" and "your Father" to "your God"), emphasizing the shared, yet distinct, nature of Jesus' relationship with God and the newly granted relationship for believers. This rhetorical device underscores the profound theological truth of spiritual adoption.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 20:17 serves as a theological bridge, connecting Jesus' resurrection to His ascension and the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which empowers believers to live in a new covenant reality. The declaration "my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God" is a pivotal statement in the New Testament, signifying the profound shift in humanity's relationship with God. Through Jesus' redemptive work, the barrier of sin is removed, and believers are no longer merely servants or creatures, but are adopted as children into the very family of God. This grants them unprecedented access and intimacy with the Almighty, enabling them to approach God with the confidence and affection of a child to a loving parent, a privilege previously reserved for Jesus alone. This new status is the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, establishing a spiritual kinship that transcends all earthly boundaries and empowers believers for mission.

* [Romans 8:15](/romans/8-15 "Romans 8:15 - Spirit of Adoption")
* [Galatians 4:4-7](/galatians/4-4-7 "Galatians 4:4-7 - Sons and Heirs Through Christ")
* [Hebrews 2:11-12](/hebrews/2-11-12 "Hebrews 2:11-12 - Jesus Not Ashamed to Call Us Brothers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 20:17 calls us to a deeper understanding of our relationship with the risen Christ and with God the Father. Like Mary, we may sometimes be tempted to cling to a limited, earthly understanding of Jesus, perhaps seeking a tangible presence or a return to past experiences. However, Jesus' words redirect us to the spiritual reality of His ascended glory and His ongoing work through the Holy Spirit. This verse challenges us to move beyond a desire for physical retention and to embrace the profound spiritual intimacy and mission that are now ours. We are commissioned, just as Mary was, to share the good news of the resurrected Christ and the new, intimate access we have to God as our Father. This truth should fill us with immense gratitude, confidence, and a sense of belonging, empowering us to live as true children of God, walking in the authority and love bestowed upon us through Christ. Our faith is not in a Jesus who can be physically held, but in a living, ascended Lord who empowers us by His Spirit to participate in His ongoing mission, knowing that our God is truly *our* Father and *our* God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be tempted to "cling" to an earthly or limited understanding of Jesus, rather than embracing the spiritual reality of His ascended presence?**
* **How does the truth that God is "my Father, and my God" transform my daily prayers, worship, and overall relationship with Him?**
* **Am I as eager as Mary Magdalene was to share the good news of the resurrected Christ and the new relationship with God that is available through Him?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus tell Mary, "Touch me not," when He later allowed Thomas to touch Him?**

Answer: The Greek phrase `mḗ háptou` (G3361 mḗ, G680 háptomai) is best translated as "Stop clinging to me" or "Do not hold on to me," rather than a simple prohibition against any touch. Mary, in her overwhelming joy and reverence, was likely attempting to embrace or cling to Jesus, perhaps out of a desire to prevent Him from leaving again or to hold onto His physical presence. Jesus' command was not a general ban on physical contact (as He later invited Thomas to touch His wounds in [John 20:27](/john/20-27 "John 20:27 - Jesus Invites Thomas to Touch His Wounds")), but a redirection. His explanation, "for I am not yet ascended to my Father," clarifies that His post-resurrection appearances were a temporary, transitional phase. He was not to be held onto in an earthly manner, as His ultimate destination was the Father's right hand, from where He would send the Holy Spirit to indwell believers. His interaction with Thomas, on the other hand, was to provide concrete proof of His bodily resurrection, addressing Thomas's specific doubt. The contexts and purposes of the two interactions were different.

**What is the significance of Jesus saying, "I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God"?**

Answer: This declaration is profoundly significant. Before His death and resurrection, Jesus consistently referred to God as "my Father," emphasizing His unique Sonship. Here, for the first time after His resurrection, He extends this intimate relationship to His disciples, declaring that His Father is now also *their* Father, and His God, *their* God. This signifies the establishment of a new covenant relationship. Through Jesus' atoning sacrifice and resurrection, believers are reconciled to God and adopted into His family [Romans 8:15](/romans/8-15 "Romans 8:15 - Spirit of Adoption"). This means they now share in Jesus' filial relationship with God, gaining unprecedented access, intimacy, and privilege as children of God. It transforms their status from servants to sons and daughters, co-heirs with Christ [Galatians 4:4-7](/galatians/4-4-7 "Galatians 4:4-7 - Sons and Heirs"). This new spiritual kinship is a central truth of the Christian faith, made possible by Jesus' completed work.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 20:17 stands as a powerful testament to the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Jesus' resurrection and impending ascension are not merely historical events but the very means by which humanity is brought into a new, intimate relationship with God. When Jesus declares, "I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God," He is announcing the culmination of His work, which secures for believers the privilege of adoption into God's family. This is the fulfillment of Old Testament promises of a new covenant where God would be truly "their God" and they "His people" [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant"). Through Christ, the barrier of sin is removed, and believers are no longer alienated but are welcomed into the divine household, sharing in the Son's own relationship with the Father. This new access is not based on human merit but solely on the finished work of Christ, who, by His death and resurrection, became the firstborn among many brethren [Romans 8:29](/romans/8-29 "Romans 8:29 - Conformed to the Image of His Son"). His ascension, in turn, paves the way for the sending of the Holy Spirit [John 16:7](/john/16-7 "John 16:7 - The Promise of the Helper"), who indwells believers, empowering them to cry out "Abba, Father!" [Galatians 4:6](/galatians/4-6 "Galatians 4:6 - Spirit of Sonship"). Thus, John 20:17 profoundly reveals how Jesus' redemptive journey transforms our identity and destiny, making us co-heirs with Him and beloved children of the Most High God.

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 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,