John 20:11-18


"But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept, she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.’ Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned and said to him in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means Teacher). 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.”’ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’—and that he had said these things to her." (John 20:11-18 ESV)


Mary’s Encounter with the Risen Jesus

This passage describes one of the most personal and intimate moments in the Gospels—Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Jesus. Mary, who had been a devoted follower of Jesus, came to the tomb overwhelmed by grief. Her world seemed to have crumbled, and she could not comprehend what had happened to her Lord. Yet, in the midst of her sorrow, Jesus met her. Initially, she did not recognize Him—her eyes were clouded by her grief, just as we often fail to recognize Jesus in our moments of despair.

When Jesus called her by name, however, everything changed. His voice broke through her grief and confusion, and she immediately recognized Him. This shows the personal nature of Christ's love and care for His disciples. Jesus knows each of us by name (John 10:3) and calls us individually into a relationship with Him. No matter how lost or broken we may feel, Jesus comes to us, calls us by name, and reveals Himself to us in our need. This is a picture of the power of the resurrection to bring life and hope where there was once only death and sorrow.

Scriptures to Study:

Isaiah 43:1, John 10:1-4, Luke 24:30-32, Revelation 3:20


Jesus’ Ascension and Our Relationship with the Father

When Jesus tells Mary not to cling to Him, it might seem surprising. However, Jesus was preparing Mary and the other disciples for a new stage in their relationship with Him. He was about to ascend to the Father, and this ascension would make way for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. By ascending, Jesus would no longer be physically present with them, but through the Holy Spirit, He would be with all believers at all times. Jesus’ ascension also established a new relationship with the Father, as He declared, "I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God" (v. 17). This powerful statement reveals that because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, His followers now share in His relationship with the Father. God is no longer distant but has become "our Father" through Jesus.

The work of the Holy Spirit is vital in this new relationship. The Spirit enables us to call God "Abba, Father" (Romans 8:15), and to walk as children of God. As disciples, we are not left alone in our mission but are filled with the very presence of God to guide, empower, and sustain us in every circumstance.

Scriptures to Study:

Romans 8:14-17, Galatians 4:4-7, Acts 1:8-9, John 14:16-18


The Commission to Share the Good News

After her encounter with Jesus, Mary is commissioned to go and tell the disciples, "I have seen the Lord." This reflects the call for all believers to share the good news of Jesus' resurrection. Mary's testimony is the first recorded announcement of the risen Christ, making her the first evangelist of the resurrection. Jesus entrusts this crucial message to her, demonstrating that every disciple—regardless of background or status—has a part to play in God's mission.

As followers of Christ, we are all called to share the message of Jesus' victory over sin and death. Like Mary, we have encountered the risen Christ through faith, and the Holy Spirit empowers us to proclaim this truth. We do not need to rely on our strength or eloquence; it is the Spirit who enables us to testify about Jesus and His resurrection power. Our message is simple yet profound: "I have seen the Lord!"—we have experienced His love, forgiveness, and life-transforming grace, and we are called to make Him known to others.

Scriptures to Study:

Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, 2 Corinthians 5:17-20, 1 Peter 3:15


Summary of Key Points


Life Application Questions