Jesus' Command to Mary Magdalene After Resurrection
After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene with a specific instruction: "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" [3]. This encounter, recorded in John 20:17, is a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative of the resurrection, marking the first appearance of the risen Christ to an individual [6]. Mary Magdalene is identified as one of the women who ministered to Jesus and from whom "seven devils went out of her," suggesting a profound gratitude and devotion [2, 6].
The command "Touch me not" (Greek: mē mou haptou) has been interpreted in various ways throughout Christian history. One common understanding, articulated by Augustine, is that Jesus was indicating a change in the nature of his relationship with his followers [3]. Mary Magdalene, upon recognizing Jesus, exclaimed "Rabboni" (Master) and likely attempted to embrace him [3]. Her initial reaction suggests she might have believed that, with his resurrection, their relationship would resume its previous form [8]. However, Jesus' instruction points to a new, spiritual dimension of fellowship that would be established after his ascension [8]. The phrase "I am not yet ascended to my Father" implies that a full, unhindered communion would be possible only after his return to the Father and the subsequent sending of the Holy Spirit [3, 8]. This perspective suggests that Jesus was not forbidding physical contact permanently, but rather redirecting Mary's understanding of his post-resurrection state and the nature of their future interaction [8].
Another interpretation considers the Greek verb haptomai, which can mean "to cling to" or "to hold fast to," rather than simply "to touch." In this view, Jesus was not prohibiting a momentary touch, but rather a clinging that would imply an attempt to retain him in his earthly, pre-ascension form [8]. He was preparing her and the other disciples for his imminent departure and the spiritual presence that would follow [8]. This aligns with the broader theological understanding that Christ's resurrected body, while physical and real, was also transformed [9, 11]. Clement of Alexandria, for instance, affirmed that Christ possessed a body after his resurrection and that the disciples were able to handle him, indicating that physical contact was not inherently impossible or forbidden [9]. Thomas Aquinas also discusses the reality and integrity of Christ's resurrected body, stating that it retained all the elements of a human body [11].
The command also served as a commission for Mary Magdalene. Immediately after instructing her not to cling to him, Jesus tells her to "go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God" [3]. This makes Mary Magdalene the first messenger of the resurrection, tasked with conveying the news to the disciples [5, 6]. John Gill notes that Mary Magdalene obeyed this command "directly and immediately," demonstrating her willingness to serve her Lord even when her personal affection might have led her to desire to stay with him [5]. This act of commissioning highlights the significance of her role in the early proclamation of the gospel [5].
The phrase "I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God" is also significant. It emphasizes the shared relationship that believers would have with God through Christ [3]. While Jesus' relationship with the Father is unique, his ascension opens the way for his followers to also enter into a filial relationship with God [3]. This statement underscores the theological implications of the resurrection and ascension, establishing a new covenant reality for believers.
The resurrection of Christ is a foundational doctrine of Christianity, with the entire New Testament revelation resting upon it as an historical fact [1]. Jesus himself had predicted his resurrection multiple times (e.g., Matthew 20:19; Mark 9:9; John 2:19-22) [1]. The accounts of his appearances after the resurrection, including the one to Mary Magdalene, provide crucial evidence for this central event [1, 4]. The disciples, however, were initially slow to believe the reports of the resurrection, even from those who had seen Jesus [6]. Adam Clarke notes that Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene first, and she then went to tell the disciples [4]. Matthew Henry observes that Mary Magdalene was honored as the first to see him after his resurrection, attributing this to her deep devotion and the great mercy shown to her [6].
The timing of Jesus' ascension is also relevant to understanding his command to Mary. The instruction "I am not yet ascended" implies that the ascension was a distinct event that would follow his resurrection appearances [3]. While the resurrection marked his triumph over death, the ascension signified his return to the Father and the completion of his earthly ministry [8]. Thomas Aquinas discusses the fittingness of Christ's post-resurrection appearances, noting that he did not immediately return to a familiar manner of life but to an "immortal and God-like condition" [7]. This transition period, during which he appeared to various individuals and groups, served to confirm the reality of his resurrection before his final ascension [7, 10].
The command to Mary Magdalene, therefore, is not merely a prohibition of touch but a profound theological statement about the transformed nature of Christ's resurrected body, the new spiritual relationship he would establish with his followers through his ascension, and the immediate commission of Mary as the first evangelist of the resurrection. It sets the stage for the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the establishment of the Church, where fellowship with Christ would be spiritual rather than solely physical [8].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Resurrection of Christ — One of the cardinal facts and doctrines of the gospel. If Christ be not risen, our faith is vain (1 Cor. 15:14). The whole of the New Testament revelation rests on this as an historical fact. On the day of Pentecost Peter argued the necessity of Christ's resurrection from the prediction in Ps. 16 (Acts 2:24-28). In his own discourses, also, our Lord clearly intimates his resurrection (Matt. 20:19; Mark 9:9; 14:28; Luke 18:33; John 2:19-22). The evangelists give circumstantial accounts of the facts connected with that event, and the apostles, ”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Mary Magdalene — Different explanations have been given of this name; but the most natural is that she came from the town of Magdala. She appears before us for the first time in (Luke 8:2) among the women who "ministered unto him of their substance." All appear to have occupied a position of comparative wealth. With all the chief motive was that of gratitude for their deliverance from "evil spirits and infirmities." Of Mary it is said specially that "seven devils went out of her," and the number indicates a possession of more than ordinary malignity. She was present d”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — TIME OF THE LORD'S RESURRECTION. (part 13): Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing Him to be the gardener, saith unto Him, Sir, if thou have borne Him hence, tell me where thou hast laid Him, and I will take Him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto Him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. 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”
- Mark (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Mark 16 (introduction): Early in the morning after the Sabbath, the three Marys come to the sepulcher, bringing sweet spices to embalm the body, Mar 16:1-4. They see an angel who announces the resurrection of our Lord, Mar 16:5-8. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, who goes and tells the disciples, Mar 16:9-11. He appears also to the two disciples who were going into the country, who also tell it to the rest, Mar 16:12, Mar 16:13. Afterwards he appears unto the eleven, and commissions them to preach the Gospel to all mankind, Mar 16:14-16. And promises to endue them with power to ”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 20:18: Mary Magdalene came,.... Directly and immediately, being ready and willing to obey the commends of her Lord, with the utmost cheerfulness; and glad to go on such an errand, and carry such news to his disciples, even though her private interest and personal affection might have inclined her to desire to stay with Christ: and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord; not only that he was risen from the dead, and she had been told so by the angels, but she had seen him herself, and was an eyewitness of his resurrection, and which she firmly believed; this she said,”
- Mark (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Mark 16:9: We have here a very short account of two of Christ's appearances, and the little credit which the report of them gained with the disciples. I. He appeared to Mary Magdalene, to her first in the garden, which we have a particular narrative of, Joh 20:14. It was she out of whom he had cast seven devils; much was forgiven her, and much was given her, and done for her, and she loved much; and this honour Christ did her, that she was the first that saw him after his resurrection. The closer we cleave to Christ, the sooner we may expect to see him, and the more to see of ”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Third Part (Tertia Pars), Of the Manifestation of the Resurrection, Art. 2: Article: Whether it was fitting that the disciples should see Him rise again? I answer that, As the Apostle says (Rm. 13:1): "Those things that are of God, are well ordered [Vulg.: 'Those that are, are ordained of God]." Now the divinely established order is this, that things above men's ken are revealed to them by angels, as Dionysius says (Coel. Hier. iv). But Christ on rising did not return to the familiar manner of life, but to a kind of immortal and God-like condition, according to Rm. 6”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 20:17: 20:17 Mary thought that with the resurrection, Jesus would resume normal relations with his disciples. She was trying to cling to the joy she discovered in her resurrected Lord. But his fellowship with her would come in a new form (20:22). Jesus had not yet ascended to complete his return to the Father, but the process was underway. Before his final departure, he would give the Holy Spirit (20:22; see 14:15-21, 26; 15:26-27; 16:5-15).”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 1: Clement, Polycarp, Ignatius, Barnabas, Papias, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus — CHAP. III.--CHRIST WAS POSSESSED OF A BODY AFTER HIS RESURRECTION.: For I know that after His resurrection also He was still possessed of flesh,(7) and I believe that He is so now. When, for instance, He came to those who were with Peter, He said to them, "Lay hold, handle Me, and see that I am not an incorporeal spirit."(8) And immediately they touched Him, and believed, being convinced both by His flesh and spirit. For this cause also they despised death, and were found its conquerors.(12) And after his resur”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 28:16: JESUS MEETS WITH THE DISCIPLES ON A MOUNTAIN IN GALILEE AND GIVES FORTH THE GREAT COMMISSION. (Mat 28:16-20) Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee--but certainly not before the second week after the resurrection, and probably somewhat later. into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them--It should have been rendered "the mountain," meaning some certain mountain which He had named to them--probably the night before He suffered, when He said, "After I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee" (Mat 26:32; Mar 14:28). What it was can on”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Third Part (Tertia Pars), Of the Quality of Christ Rising Again, Art. 3: Article: Whether Christ's body rose again entire? I answer that, As stated above (Article [2]), Christ's body in the Resurrection was "of the same nature, but differed in glory." Accordingly, whatever goes with the nature of a human body, was entirely in the body of Christ when He rose again. Now it is clear that flesh, bones, blood, and other such things, are of the very nature of the human body. Consequently, all these things were in Christ's body when He rose again; and this also integrally, ”