John 20:18

KJV

Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and [that] he had spoken these things unto her.

KJV (with Strong's)

Mary {G3137} Magdalene {G3094} came {G2064} and told {G518} the disciples {G3101} that {G3754} she had seen {G3708} the Lord {G2962}, and {G2532} that he had spoken {G2036} these things {G5023} unto her {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Miryam of Magdala went to the talmidim with the news that she had seen the Lord and that he had told her this.

Berean Standard Bible

Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what He had said to her.

American Standard Version

Mary Magdalene cometh and telleth the disciples, I have seen the Lord; and that he had said these things unto her.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 20:18 records the pivotal moment when Mary Magdalene, having personally encountered the resurrected Jesus, immediately brought the life-altering news to the grieving disciples. This verse marks the initial proclamation of the resurrection, establishing Mary as the first eyewitness and commissioned evangelist of the most significant event in human history, thereby igniting the spread of the Gospel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the climactic resurrection narrative of John's Gospel. It immediately follows Mary Magdalene's profound and personal encounter with the risen Christ in the garden outside the tomb, as detailed in [John 20:11-17](/john/20-11-17 "Mary Magdalene's Encounter with the Risen Jesus"). Earlier, Mary, along with other women, had discovered the empty tomb and initially presumed Jesus' body had been taken, leading to her distress and lingering grief after Peter and John had departed ([John 20:1-10](/john/20-1-10 "The Empty Tomb and the Disciples' Reaction")). Her sorrow transformed into overwhelming joy and recognition when Jesus, initially appearing as the gardener, revealed Himself to her. Crucially, just prior to this verse, Jesus had given her a direct commission: "Go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God" ([John 20:17](/john/20-17 "Jesus' Commission to Mary Magdalene")). John 20:18 thus depicts Mary's immediate and obedient response to this divine mandate, setting the stage for the disciples' own encounters with the risen Lord.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the 1st-century Jewish and Roman world, the testimony of women was often considered unreliable or inadmissible in legal proceedings. This cultural backdrop makes Mary Magdalene's role as the first eyewitness and evangelist of the resurrection particularly striking and counter-cultural. Jesus' choice to appear first to a woman, and then to commission her to deliver such monumental news to the male disciples, subverts societal norms and highlights God's radical inclusivity. The disciples themselves were in hiding, fearful of Jewish authorities ([John 20:19](/john/20-19 "Disciples Hiding in Fear")), and likely struggling with grief and disbelief regarding reports of the empty tomb ([Luke 24:11](/luke/24-11 "The Disciples' Initial Disbelief")). Mary's testimony, though initially met with skepticism, was a crucial step in preparing them for their own encounters with the risen Lord and for their future mission.

* **Key Themes:** John 20:18 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within John's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the theme of **Eyewitness Testimony**, as Mary's direct experience—"she had seen the Lord"—forms the bedrock of her message, emphasizing the importance of personal encounter in validating truth. The verse also highlights **Divine Commissioning**, portraying Mary as uniquely honored as the first person to witness the resurrection and the first to be sent by Jesus to share the news with His disciples, elevating her status and demonstrating God's use of unexpected messengers. Furthermore, it exemplifies the theme of **Proclaiming the Good News**, as Mary's immediate action to "told the disciples" demonstrates the inherent urgency and joy of the resurrection message, foreshadowing the broader call to [spread the Gospel](/matthew/28-19 "The Great Commission") to all nations. This event also serves as a crucial step in **Overcoming Doubt**, as Mary's testimony began to chip away at the disciples' fear and disbelief, preparing them for the transformative reality of the risen Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **told (Greek, _apangéllō'_):** A primary verb meaning to announce, bring word, declare, report, show, or tell. In this context, Mary's action is not merely casual conversation but a formal and urgent declaration of a profound and world-changing truth. It signifies a decisive act of communication, conveying a message with authority and clarity, fulfilling a divine mandate.
* **seen (Greek, _horáō'_):** Properly, to stare at, but by implication, to discern clearly (physically or mentally), to attend to, or to experience. The KJV's "had seen" reflects a perfect tense in the Greek (ἑώρακα), which denotes a completed action with continuing results. This emphasizes that Mary's encounter was not a fleeting glance but a profound, direct, undeniable, and transformative personal revelation of the risen Jesus, providing the irrefutable basis for her testimony.
* **Lord (Greek, _kýrios'_):** From a root suggesting supremacy, this term signifies one who is supreme in authority, a controller, or Master. Mary's use of "the Lord" for Jesus, especially after His resurrection, is highly significant. It moves beyond a mere respectful address to an acknowledgment of His divine sovereignty, authority, and ultimate identity as God, a profound theological recognition stemming from her encounter.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples":** This clause immediately establishes Mary's swift and obedient response to Jesus' commission in [John 20:17](/john/20-17 "Jesus' Commission to Mary Magdalene"). Her action highlights the urgency and importance of the message, positioning her as the first human evangelist of the resurrection. It also underscores her devotion and courage, as she quickly seeks out the frightened and grieving disciples.
* **"that she had seen the Lord":** This is the core of Mary's eyewitness testimony. The emphasis is on her direct, personal, and undeniable encounter with the resurrected Jesus. This "seeing" is not just physical sight but a profound recognition of His identity and triumph over death, providing the foundational proof for her proclamation. Her personal experience serves as the irrefutable basis for the truth she conveys.
* **"and that he had spoken these things unto her":** This final clause validates Mary's message, indicating that her report is not merely her own observation or interpretation, but a direct communication and divine commission from the risen Lord Himself. It lends authority and weight to her words, transforming her from a mere messenger into a divinely appointed herald, ensuring the disciples understand the source and authenticity of the news.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Eyewitness Testimony** as its primary literary device, grounding the monumental claim of the resurrection in a verifiable personal experience. Mary's declaration, "she had seen the Lord," provides the initial, crucial evidence for the disciples, setting a pattern for the apostolic witness. There is also a powerful sense of **Foreshadowing**, as Mary's immediate and zealous proclamation anticipates the broader mission of the church to spread the Gospel to all nations. Furthermore, the narrative contains subtle **Irony** and **Subversion of Expectations**: in a patriarchal society where a woman's testimony was often dismissed, Jesus chooses Mary Magdalene to be the first to witness and declare His resurrection, thereby elevating her status and demonstrating God's unconventional methods. Her role also carries **Symbolism**, representing the faithful believer who encounters Christ and is then compelled to share that life-changing truth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 20:18 is a foundational verse for understanding the nature of Christian witness and the centrality of the resurrection. Mary's immediate action, driven by her personal encounter with the risen Christ, establishes the paradigm for all subsequent evangelism: the sharing of a lived experience of Jesus, backed by His direct words. It underscores that the resurrection is not merely a historical event but a living reality that demands proclamation. This verse affirms the truth that God often chooses unexpected vessels to carry His most vital messages, challenging human prejudices and societal norms. It highlights the transformative power of encountering the risen Lord, which compels believers to move from grief and doubt to joy and active testimony.

* [Luke 24:34](/luke/24-34 "The Lord Has Risen Indeed!"): "Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon."
* [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "The Great Commission and the Power of the Holy Spirit"): "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
* [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "The Gospel of Christ's Death and Resurrection"): "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mary Magdalene's story in John 20:18 serves as a profound call to every believer to embrace their role as a witness to the resurrected Christ. Just as Mary, transformed by her encounter, could not contain the good news, so too are we called to share our personal experiences of Jesus' transformative power in our lives and the undeniable truth of His triumph over death. This verse reminds us that our testimony, whether grand or simple, is a vital part of God's plan to spread the hope of the Gospel. It challenges us to move beyond any personal fears, insecurities, or perceived inadequacies, recognizing that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. Like Mary, our message gains authority not from our eloquence, but from the reality of what we have seen and heard from the Lord, understanding that the [resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith](/1_corinthians/15-14 "The Centrality of the Resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15:14"). We are to be heralds of hope, proclaiming that Jesus is alive and active, bringing light into a world still grappling with darkness and despair.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Mary Magdalene's immediate action challenge my own readiness to share the good news of Jesus?**
* **In what ways have I "seen the Lord" or experienced His transformative power in my life, and how can I better articulate that testimony?**
* **What fears or doubts might prevent me from sharing my faith, and how can Mary's example encourage me to overcome them?**
* **How does the fact that Jesus commissioned a woman to be the first evangelist impact my understanding of God's inclusive nature and call to ministry?**

### FAQ

**Why is Mary Magdalene chosen to be the first witness and messenger of the resurrection?**

Answer: Mary Magdalene's selection as the first witness and messenger of the resurrection is profoundly significant, challenging established cultural norms of the 1st century. In a society where women's testimony was often not admissible in legal settings, Jesus' choice highlights God's radical inclusivity and His tendency to use the "weak things of the world to shame the strong" ([1 Corinthians 1:27](/1_corinthians/1-27 "God Chooses the Weak")). Her deep devotion, evident in her lingering at the tomb even after the disciples had left ([John 20:11](/john/20-11 "Mary Magdalene Lingers at the Tomb")), positioned her uniquely for this encounter. Her immediate obedience and fervent proclamation also demonstrate the authentic and transformative power of her encounter with the risen Christ, making her a credible and compelling herald of the most important news in history, effectively making her the "apostle to the apostles."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 20:18, while focusing on Mary Magdalene's immediate witness, ultimately points to the triumphant Lordship of Jesus Christ, the central figure of the resurrection. Mary's declaration, "she had seen the Lord," is the initial human echo of the divine victory over sin and death, a victory achieved by Jesus on the cross and confirmed by His empty tomb. Her testimony foreshadows the universal proclamation of Christ's resurrection that would become the core message of the early church, as seen in Peter's sermon on Pentecost ([Acts 2:24-36](/acts/2-24-36 "Peter's Sermon on the Resurrection")). Jesus' commission to Mary to "go to my brethren" ([John 20:17](/john/20-17 "Jesus' Commission to Mary Magdalene")) extends His redemptive work through His followers, empowering them to share the reality of His living presence. Mary's encounter with the risen Jesus culminates in the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan for salvation, demonstrating that Christ is indeed "the resurrection, and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")), and that His victory ensures eternal life for all who believe in Him. Her words, "he had spoken these things unto her," underscore the divine authority behind the message, confirming that the resurrected Christ is the living Word of God, actively communicating and commissioning His people for His ongoing mission in the world until His glorious return ([Revelation 22:20](/revelation/22-20 "Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!")).

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

Luke 24:10

It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary [the mother] of James, and other [women that were] with them, which told these things unto the apostles.

Matthew 28:10

Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

Mark 16:10

[And] she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.

Mark 16:13

And they went and told [it] unto the residue: neither believed they them.

John 20:1

¶ The first [day] of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

Luke 24:22

Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;

Luke 24:23

And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.