Jesus' Address to Mary Magdalene in the Gospels
Jesus addresses Mary Magdalene by name in the resurrection narrative of John's Gospel, a moment that marks the first post-resurrection appearance to an individual disciple. The scene unfolds at the empty tomb on Easter morning, where Mary, having discovered the stone rolled away, encounters someone she initially mistakes for the gardener [5]. When Jesus speaks her name—"Mary"—she recognizes him immediately and responds "Rabboni," which means "Master" or "Teacher" [2, 5].
The Recognition Scene
The evangelist records that Mary turned when Jesus spoke her name, suggesting a moment of sudden recognition [2]. Adam Clarke observes that "this word was no doubt spoken with uncommon emphasis; and the usual sound of Christ's voice accompanied it, so as immediately to prove that it must be Jesus" [6]. The personal address contrasts with Jesus' initial question—"Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?"—which Mary answers while still supposing him to be the gardener [5]. The shift from the generic "Woman" to the personal "Mary" creates the moment of revelation.
This is the only recorded instance in the canonical Gospels where Jesus addresses Mary Magdalene directly by name. Her identity is consistently associated with Magdala, a town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, though the name has prompted various explanations [3]. Luke's Gospel introduces her among the women who supported Jesus' ministry "of their substance," noting specifically that "seven devils went out of her," a detail indicating possession of unusual severity [3]. She appears at the crucifixion, standing by the cross, and remains at the tomb through the evening of that day [4].
The Commission
Following her recognition of Jesus, he instructs 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" [5]. The command has generated extensive interpretive discussion across traditions, particularly regarding the phrase "Touch me not" (Latin Noli me tangere). Augustine addresses this passage in his homilies on the Gospels, though the retrieved excerpt does not elaborate his interpretation of the prohibition [5].
Mary obeys immediately. John records that "Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her" [1]. John Gill emphasizes her readiness: she came "directly and immediately, being ready and willing to obey the commands of her Lord, with the utmost cheerfulness," noting that she reported not merely the angels' testimony but her own eyewitness encounter [7]. Clarke remarks that "Mary Magdalene sought Jesus more fervently, and continued more affectionately attached to him than any of the rest: therefore to her first, Jesus is pleased to show himself, and she is made the first herald of the Gospel of a risen Savior" [6].
Theological Significance
The choice of Mary Magdalene as the first resurrection witness carries weight in the Gospel narrative. She had been present at the crucifixion when many male disciples had fled, and she returned to the tomb at dawn [4]. Her persistence at the tomb—remaining even after Peter and John departed—positions her for this encounter. The commission to "go to my brethren" makes her an apostle to the apostles, the first to proclaim the resurrection message to the gathered disciples [1, 7].
The personal address "Mary" stands in a tradition of divine naming in Scripture, where God or his messengers call individuals by name at pivotal moments. The recognition is mutual and immediate: Jesus knows her, and in hearing her name spoken, she knows him. The scene concludes not with extended conversation but with a commission, redirecting her devotion outward toward proclamation rather than inward toward private encounter [5, 7].
Sources
- John “Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her. -- John 20:18”
- John “John 20:16 (Tyndale) — Iesus sayde vnto her: Mary. She turned her selfe and sayde vnto him: Rabboni which is to saye master.”
- 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”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Mary — a Roman Christian who is greeted by St. Paul in his Epistle to the Romans, ch. (Romans 16:6) as having toiled hard for him. (a tear) of Cle'ophas. So in Authorized Version, but accurately "of Clopas," i.e. the wife of Clopas (or Alphaeus). She is brought before us for the first time on the day of the crucifixion, standing by the cross. (John 19:25) In the evening of the same day we find her sitting desolate at the tomb with Mary Magdalene, (Matthew 27:61; Mark 15:47) and at the dawn of Easter morning she was again there with sweet spices, which she had prepared”
- 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”
- John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 20:16: Mary - This word was no doubt spoken with uncommon emphasis; and the usual sound of Christ's voice accompanied it, so as immediately to prove that it must be Jesus. What transports of joy must have filled this woman's heart! Let it be remarked that Mary Magdalene sought Jesus more fervently, and continued more affectionately attached to him than any of the rest: therefore to her first, Jesus is pleased to show himself, and she is made the first herald of the Gospel of a risen Savior. After Mary's exclamation of Rabboni, and its interpretation by the evangelist, one M”
- 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,”