John 20:11–18 (WEL) Mary, facing the tomb, was standing outside crying. As she wept, she stooped down to look into the tomb. 12 And saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?” She said, “Because they have taken my Lord away, and I don’t know where they have laid him.” 14 After she said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there but didn’t know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” She, thinking that he was the gardener, said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned around and said to him, “Rabboni!” (This means teacher.) 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not continue holding me, for I have not yet gone up to my Father. Go to my brethren and say to them, ‘I ascend to my Father and your Father, my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that he had said these things.
V11 Mary, facing the tomb, was standing outside crying. As she wept, she stooped down to look into the tomb.
Mary was crying in sorrow. As we often do, we look or remember something repeatedly as if to ask, “Is this really true?”
V12 And saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying.
Angels are created spirit beings with personal character traits.
Angels:
- There are two main groups of angels: 1) those who are loyal and love the Creator and 2) those who are rebels and hate the Creator. The former are holy angels, while the latter are unclean, fallen, evil angels (demons).
- There are different classes of angels: Seraphim, Cherubim, and ordinary angels.
- There is not time to descrIbe these, but consider these references:
- Seraphim—Isaiah 6:2–6. (Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary) This is the only place in the Bible that mentions these mysterious creatures. Each seraph had six wings. They used two to fly, two to cover their feet, and two to cover their faces (Is. 6:2). The seraphim flew about the throne on which God was seated, singing His praises as they called special attention to His glory and majesty.
- These beings apparently also served as agents of purification for Isaiah as he began his prophetic ministry. One placed a hot coal against Isaiah’s lips with the words, “Your iniquity is taken away and your sin is purged” (Is. 6:7).
- Cherubim—(Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary) A careful comparison of the first and tenth chapters of the book of Ezekiel shows clearly that the “four living creatures” (Ezekiel 1:5) were the same beings as the cherubim (Ezekiel 10). Each had four faces—that of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle (Ezekiel 1:10; also Ezekiel 10:14)—and each had four wings. In their appearance, the cherubim “had the likeness of a man” (Ezekiel 1:5). These cherubim used two of their wings for flying and the other two for covering their bodies (Ezekiel 1:6, Ezekiel 1:11, Ezekiel 1:23). Under their wings, the cherubim appeared to have the form, or likeness, of a man’s hand (Ezekiel 1:8; Ezekiel 10:7–8, Ezekiel 10:21).
- Ordinary angels—have no wings. Their general is Michael, and they have various organized groups depending on rank, ability, and ministry. The chief angels mentioned are Michael and Gabriel, but Michael is their chief. The ordinary angels are mentioned the most and have the most interactions with humans.
V13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?” She said, “Because they have taken my Lord away, and I don’t know where they have laid him.”
The angels have emotions. Here, they exhibit compassion and concern.
Her reason for her weeping is believing that Jesus’s body was removed from the tomb and transported somewhere else.
V14 After she said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there but didn’t know that it was Jesus.
Mary then turns around to see Jesus only, whom she did not recognize. She didn’t recognize Him most likely because she thought He was dead, her tears clouded her sight, and she didn’t look at Him closely enough.
V15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” She, thinking that he was the gardener, said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”
Mary then must have turned away, but Jesus speaks to her. He also shows compassion and concern.
Principle: Show compassion and concern when appropriate.
Mary testifies that she thought the man she was speaking to was the gardener, so she responds accordingly.
V16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned around and said to him, “Rabboni!” (This means teacher.)
Again, Jesus speaks. He says, “Mary.” This time, however, the voice and tone were familiar. All she can utter at that moment is “Rabboni,” that is, teacher.
V17 Jesus said to her, “Do not continue holding me, for I have not yet gone up to my Father. Go to my brethren and say to them, ‘I ascend to my Father and your Father, my God and your God.’”
She was hanging on tightly. We hang on for comfort; we do not want to let go of what comforts us. Also, I believe, she was worshipping Jesus.
Most believe this ascension is the one recorded in Acts 1. There is a good possibility that this refers to a temporary ascension to fulfill His High Priest’s ministry of presenting His blood in the Holy of Holies of the heavenly temple. He presents the atoning blood that all High Priests do on the Day of Atonement. See Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 9:24, and 1 Corinthians 6:20.
Jesus comforts her by telling her not to cling to Him because He has work to do yet.
Do not cling for these reasons:
- “I have not yet ascended to my Father in heaven.”
- “You have a mission. Go and tell the others that I am ascending to My Father and your father,” which means these believers have been adopted into God’s family.
- “I am ascending to My God and your God,” meaning He is the one to worship.
In Luke 23:46, some believe there is a contradiction, believing when Jesus says, “Into your hands I commend my spirit,” that this is an ascension. Luke 23:46 refers to Jesus having suffered and now offering (Isaiah 53:10–12, Hebrews 7:27, and Hebrews 9:7) into His Father’s hands His body, soul, spirit, and blood as the Passover Lamb for all of humanity. This doesn’t mean all are forgiven, because God requires our faith in order to apply the blessing of salvation.
V18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that he had said these things.
Mary goes as she was commanded and delivers the message.
Principle: We must obey Jesus. We all have a gift from God for service. There are also over 1,000 laws in the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).
We learn:
- About God’s comfort, compassion, and mercy.
- Jesus’s ministry.
- A woman is a legal witness.
- Faithfulness when commissioned.
Questions:
- Do you reflect God’s comfort, compassion, and mercy to others?
- Do you respect women?
- How faithful are you to do what Jesus has given us in the New Testament?