“Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”‘ “– John 20:17
John 20:17 Meaning
In this powerful verse, we find a moment that captures the essence of Jesus’ resurrection and the transition He is making from His earthly ministry to His divine mission. When Jesus told Mary Magdalene not to cling to Him, He was expressing a profound message about the nature of His new relationship with humanity. This moment is significant, as it highlights both Jesus’ authority and the new spiritual relationship that now connects Him with His followers. He reminds Mary of the important mission she needs to undertake and the new path He is about to take to His Father. This verse encapsulates the joy of resurrection and the anticipation of what is to come.
Jesus acknowledges Mary’s desire to hold onto Him, which is natural after such a traumatic event as His crucifixion. However, He emphasizes that His physical presence among them will no longer be the same. He is shifting to a higher purpose that involves returning to the Father. By saying He has not yet ascended, He is inviting Mary to shift her focus from His physical presence to the spiritual reality they would share as He returns to the Father. This relationship will redefine what it means to be close to Jesus. It’s a moving reminder that even in change, He remains close to us, but in a different way.
John 20:17 Commentary and Explanation
The moment captured in John 20:17 is filled with emotional and theological significance. After Jesus had been crucified, buried, and now resurrected, Mary Magdalene encountered Him outside the tomb. Understandably, her response was one of delight and urgency. She wants to cling to the One who had brought her hope and healing. This natural human instinct to cling to what we know and love is something we can all relate to. Yet, Jesus’ response is a gentle nudge toward understanding the transition that had occurred. He does not reject Mary. Instead, He redirects her focus.
When Jesus speaks of not yet ascending to the Father, He is establishing a new order for His followers. Before His resurrection, the primary connection the disciples had with Him was through His physical presence. After His ascension, this connection will shift dramatically. The Holy Spirit will be sent to live within believers, creating a new intimacy between God and humanity. This is a profound truth that Jesus is imparting to His followers through Mary. He is inviting her and us into a deeper relationship, one where we are never alone and always connected to Him through the Spirit.
This also underscores the importance of the mission Jesus gives Mary. He instructs her to go and tell the others about His resurrection. This moment of commissioning is pivotal. It marks the beginning of the Great Commission, where followers of Christ are called to share the good news of His resurrection. Mary Magdalene becomes the first evangelist in history, tasked with sharing the joy of the resurrection. This would have tremendous implications for the early church as they spread the gospel. Imagine the excitement she must have felt carrying that message to the apostles! Jesus was entrusting her with a message of hope that would reverberate through time.
Moreover, when Jesus refers to God as “my Father and your Father,” it reflects the familial relationship He establishes with those who believe. By addressing God as both His and our Father, He offers a sense of unity among believers. In this phrase, we find encouragement, belonging, and assurance that we are accepted as sons and daughters in God’s family. This intimate relationship forms the foundation of our faith and Christian identity.
Context of John 20:17
To understand the weight of John 20:17, we must explore its context within the Gospel of John. This moment takes place after a series of harrowing events—the arrest, crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus. For Mary Magdalene and the disciples, these past few days have likely felt like a whirlwind of confusion and sorrow. They had witnessed the brutal execution of their friend and leader, and the hope they had for the future was shattered.
After the Sabbath, Mary goes to the tomb early on the first day of the week, only to find it empty. This event marks a new chapter in the story of salvation. When Mary encounters the risen Christ, she is overwhelmed with joy yet struggles with the idea of losing His physical presence. In this moment, Jesus’ message to Mary is one of transformation and continuation. His physical absence does not equate to separation; in fact, it facilitates a new type of connection through the Spirit.
In the chapters leading up to this moment, Jesus had prophesied His death and resurrection several times. For instance, in John 2:19, He spoke about destroying the temple and rebuilding it in three days. His statements, while difficult for many to grasp, laid the groundwork for what was to come. Understanding the resurrection is integral to our faith as Christians, and it transforms how we view our relationship with God. The resurrection signifies victory over death and the promise of eternal life. Through Jesus’ resurrection and His meeting with Mary, we see the fulfillment of these promises.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of John 20:17
The first key part of this verse is Jesus telling Mary not to cling to Him. This phrase invites us to reflect on our own attachments to earthly things, even good ones. In our lives, we often cling to people, places, and experiences that bring us joy or comfort. However, Jesus calls us to recognize that our true source of comfort and joy comes from Him and His purpose for us. This serves as a reminder to adjust our focus from temporary moments to eternal realities.
Next, we see Jesus speaking of ascending to the Father. Here, Jesus is indicating a transition, one that signifies completion and further purpose. His return to the Father is essential for sending the Holy Spirit, which leads to an even deeper relationship with believers. This is an important theological point—while His physical presence might end, His spiritual presence will only grow stronger among His followers.
Another significant part is when Jesus refers to Himself and His followers in connection with the Father. By saying, “my Father and your Father,” He demonstrates inclusivity and brotherhood in God’s family. This reminds us that we are part of something greater than ourselves. God adopts us into His family through Christ, and this connects us deeply to one another as brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Lessons From John 20:17
There are numerous lessons we can glean from this important verse. One of the most compelling is the significance of our relationship with Jesus after His resurrection. We should not view the absence of Jesus in the flesh as a loss, but rather embrace the new way He lives among us through the Holy Spirit. This should give us immense hope and assurance that we are never alone. In our challenges and trials, we can lean on the Holy Spirit, who is our great comforter and guide.
Another powerful lesson is the value of sharing the good news. Just as Mary was commissioned to tell the others about the risen Christ, we too are called to share our stories of hope and faith. Our testimonies have the potential to inspire and lead others into a relationship with Jesus. This is a part of living out our faith—being open to spreading His message of love and grace.
Lastly, we learn a vital lesson in letting go. Clinging to things—be it people or experiences—can lead us to miss the greater purpose that God has for us. Jesus invites us to hold onto Him and His promises rather than to our limited understanding of situations. This willingness to let go can bring forth growth and transformation in our lives as we trust in His plans, which are always greater than ours.
Final Thoughts
John 20:17 is a beautiful representation of Jesus’ promise to His followers. It serves as a pivotal moment of transition from His earthly ministry to His ongoing presence through the Holy Spirit. As we reflect on this verse, let us remember the depth of our relationship with God and the importance of our mission to share the good news with others.
In a world where it is easy to feel isolated, we hold onto the truth that we are part of a greater family, united in faith. We encourage everyone to explore more topics, such as God’s will for us and John 20:16. May we carry the message of hope and resurrection into our daily lives, sharing the joy we have with others who need to hear it.