Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene

¹¹ But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; ¹² and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. ¹³ They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” ¹⁴ Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. ¹⁵ Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?” 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.” ¹⁶ Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rab-bo′ni!” (which means Teacher). ¹⁷ Jesus said to her, “Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” ¹⁸ Mary Mag′dalene went and said to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

What to do with this educator’s commentary

This commentary invites you as a teacher to engage with and interpret the passage. Allow the text to speak first. The commentary suggests that you ask yourself various questions that will aid your interpretation. They will help you answer for yourself the question in the last words of the text: ‘what does this mean?’

This educator’s commentary is not a ‘finished package’. It is for your engagement with the text. You then go on to plan how you enable your students to work with the text.

Both you and your students are the agents of interpretation. The ‘Worlds of the Text’ offer a structure, a conversation between the worlds of the author and the setting of the text; the world of the text; and the world of the reader. In your personal reflection and in your teaching all three worlds should be integrated as they rely on each other.

In your teaching you are encouraged to ask your students to engage with the text in a dialogical way, to explore and interpret it, to share their own interpretation and to listen to that of others before they engage with the way the text might relate to a topic or unit of work being studied.

Structure of the commentary:

The World Behind the Text

See general introduction to John.

The world of the text

Text & textual features

Text Features

• Genre: Narrative within the Gospel tradition, specifically a resurrection appearance story.
• Structure:
  1. Mary’s grief and search (vv. 11–13) – Dialogue with angels.
  2. Encounter with Jesus (vv. 14–16) – Misrecognition and recognition.
  3. Commissioning (vv. 17–18) – Instruction and proclamation.
• Setting: A garden near the tomb, early morning on the first day of the week.
• Characters: Mary Magdalene, two angels, Jesus.
• Dialogue: Central to the passage; includes questions, responses, and a personal address by name.
• Narrative progression: Moves from sorrow → misunderstanding → recognition → mission.

 

This passage is part of the resurrection narratives in John’s Gospel, where the risen Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene outside the empty tomb. It is a deeply personal and transformative encounter that moves from grief to recognition and mission.

1. The Setting

• It is the first day of the week, early in the morning, following the discovery of the empty tomb.
• Mary Magdalene remains outside the tomb weeping after Peter and the beloved disciple have left.
• Her grief reflects the despair of the disciples after the crucifixion; she believes Jesus’ body has been taken away

2. Mary’s Grief and Search (vv. 11–13)

• Mary looks into the tomb and sees two angels who ask why she is weeping.
• Her response shows her love and confusion: “They have taken my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”
• This highlights the human struggle to understand the resurrection and the persistence of love even in uncertainty.

3. The Encounter with Jesus (vv. 14–16)

• Mary turns and sees Jesus but does not recognise Him, mistaking Him for the gardener.
• Recognition comes when Jesus calls her by name: “Mary.” This moment echoes the Good Shepherd theme (John 10), where the sheep know the shepherd’s voice.
• Faith in John’s Gospel is personal and relational; it begins with being known and called by name.

4. “Do Not Hold on to Me” (v. 17)

• Mary’s instinct is to cling to Jesus, but He says, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.”
• This signals a new mode of relationship: the risen Christ will not remain physically present but will be encountered through the Spirit.
• Jesus points forward to the ascension, which completes His glorification and opens the way for the Spirit’s coming.

5. Commissioning and Witness (v. 18)

• Jesus sends Mary to announce the good news to the disciples: “Go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
• Mary becomes the first witness of the resurrection, often called the “apostle to the apostles.”
• Her proclamation, “I have seen the Lord,” is the foundation of Christian witness.

Theological Significance

• This passage reveals the personal nature of the resurrection: Jesus calls each believer by name.
• It marks the beginning of a new creation (the garden setting recalls Eden) and a new relationship with God: “my Father and your Father.”
• It highlights the role of women in the mission of the Church and the universal call to witness.
• It teaches that faith involves both encounter and sending: to see the risen Christ is to be sent to proclaim Him.

 

 

 

 

Textual Features

• Symbolism:
  • Garden: Evokes Eden and signals new creation.
  • Gardener motif: Jesus as the one who brings life and renewal.
• Key Words and Phrases:
  • “Woman, why are you weeping?” – repeated twice, highlighting grief and misunderstanding.
  • “Mary” – the turning point of recognition.
  • “Do not hold on to me” – signals a new mode of relationship.
• Themes:
  • Recognition through relationship.
  • Transformation from grief to joy.
  • Commissioning for mission.
• Johannine Style:
  • Use of misunderstanding as a narrative device (Mary mistakes Jesus for the gardener).
  • Emphasis on personal encounter and intimacy.
  • Theological depth expressed through simple dialogue.
• Christological Focus:
  • Jesus as risen Lord, inaugurating a new relationship with God: “My Father and your Father, my God and your God.”

Characters

1. Mary Magdalene

• A devoted follower of Jesus who comes to the tomb early on the first day of the week.
• She is the central human figure in this passage, moving from grief and confusion to recognition and mission.
• Her role as the first witness of the resurrection and the one commissioned to announce it makes her a key figure in the Easter narrative.

2. Jesus (the Risen Lord)

• Appears to Mary outside the tomb but is initially unrecognised.
• His personal call of Mary by name brings about the moment of recognition.
• He reveals the new reality of His glorification and sends Mary to proclaim the good news to the disciples.

3. The Two Angels

• Seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and one at the feet.
• They ask Mary why she is weeping, preparing for the encounter with the risen Christ.
• Their presence signals divine action and continuity with other resurrection accounts.

Geography

1. The Garden Setting

• John notes that the tomb was in a garden (John 19:41). This is significant because:
  • It recalls the Garden of Eden, linking the resurrection to the theme of new creation.
  • The garden setting frames the encounter between Mary and Jesus, where life triumphs over death.
• Gardens in the ancient world were often associated with wealth and burial places for the elite, suggesting that this was a private burial site.

2. The Tomb

• The tomb was near the place of crucifixion (John 19:41–42), likely outside the city walls of Jerusalem.
• It was a rock-hewn tomb, typical of Jewish burial practices for the wealthy in the first century.
• Its proximity to Golgotha explains why Jesus was buried there quickly before the Sabbath began.

3. Jerusalem and Its Vicinity

• The events occur just outside Jerusalem, the centre of Jewish worship and the location of the Passover festival.
• This geographical context underscores the theological message: the resurrection happens at the heart of Israel’s faith story, during its most sacred feast.

Ideas/phrases/concepts

Ideas

1. Grief and Loss
   • Mary’s tears reflect the human experience of sorrow and confusion when hope seems lost.
2. Search for Jesus
   • Mary’s persistence shows deep love and longing for the Lord, even when she does not understand the resurrection.
3. Recognition through Relationship
   • The turning point comes when Jesus calls Mary by name, highlighting intimacy and personal encounter.
4. New Mode of Relationship
   • “Do not hold on to me” signals a transition from physical presence to spiritual communion through the Spirit.
5. Mission and Witness
   • Mary is commissioned to announce the resurrection, becoming the first herald of Easter.
6. New Relationship with God
   • Jesus’ words, “My Father and your Father, my God and your God,” reveal a shared relationship with God through Christ.

Key Phrases

• “Woman, why are you weeping?” – repeated twice, emphasising grief and misunderstanding.
• “They have taken my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” – Mary’s longing and confusion.
• “Mary!” – the moment of recognition and personal call.
• “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.” – signals a new reality of faith.
• “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” – expresses the new intimacy between God and believers.
• “I have seen the Lord.” – the core proclamation of Christian faith.

Core Concepts

• Personal Encounter – Faith begins with being known and called by name.
• Transformation – Movement from grief to joy, from misunderstanding to mission.
• New Creation – The garden setting symbolises renewal and restoration.
• Christ’s Glorification – Resurrection and ascension as part of one saving event.
• Discipleship and Mission – Encounter with Christ leads to being sent to proclaim Him.
• Equality in Witness – Mary’s role affirms the dignity and mission of all believers.

Placement in the Gospel

• This passage is part of John 20, which contains the resurrection narratives—the climax of the Gospel.
• It follows:
  • John 20:1–10 – Mary Magdalene discovers the empty tomb and informs Peter and the beloved disciple, who then visit the tomb and return home.
• It precedes:
  • John 20:19–23 – Jesus appears to the disciples in the locked room and gives them the gift of peace and the Holy Spirit.
  • John 20:24–29 – The encounter with Thomas, leading to his confession, “My Lord and my God.”
• The chapter concludes with John 20:30–31, the purpose statement of the Gospel: “These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.”

Function in the Narrative

• This is the first personal encounter with the risen Christ in John’s Gospel.
• It moves the story from empty tomb (evidence) to personal recognition (faith).
• Mary Magdalene becomes the first witness and messenger of the resurrection, setting the pattern for Christian mission.

Thematic Links

Mission: Anticipates the sending of the disciples in the following verses and the universal mission of the Church.

Recognition and Relationship: Echoes earlier Johannine themes (e.g., the Good Shepherd calling by name in John 10).

New Creation: The garden setting recalls Eden, framing the resurrection as the beginning of a new creation.

Questions for the teacher:

The world in front of the text

Questions for the teacher:

Please reflect on these questions before reading this section and then use the material below to enrich your responsiveness to the text.

Meaning for Today

1. Personal Encounter with Christ

1. The risen Jesus calls Mary by name, showing that faith is not abstract but deeply personal.
2. Today, this reminds us that Christian faith begins with relationship, not just ritual or doctrine.
3. Hope in Times of Loss

2. Mary moves from grief to joy when she recognises Jesus.
3. For believers today, this offers hope in moments of despair, reminding us that Christ is present even when unseen.
4. New Relationship with God

3. Jesus’ words, “My Father and your Father, my God and your God,” reveal a shared intimacy with God.
4. This affirms our identity as children of God and members of a new family in Christ.
5. Mission and Witness

4. Mary is sent to announce the resurrection: “I have seen the Lord.”
5. Every Christian is called to bear witness to the risen Christ in word and action.
6. Equality in Discipleship

5. Mary, a woman, is the first witness and messenger of the resurrection.
6. This challenges the Church to recognise the dignity and mission of all believers.

Challenges for Today

1. Recognising Christ in Daily Life

1. Like Mary, we often fail to see Christ present in ordinary moments or in others.
2. This calls for attentiveness and openness to God’s presence.
3. Moving Beyond Clinging to the Past

2. “Do not hold on to me” invites us to embrace new ways of encountering Christ through the Spirit.
3. Today, this means letting go of nostalgia and being open to renewal in the Church and in our faith.
4. Living as Witnesses

3. Proclaiming “I have seen the Lord” in a secular or sceptical culture can be daunting.
4. It requires courage, authenticity, and a life that reflects the Gospel.
5. Balancing Personal Faith and Mission

4. Mary’s encounter leads to being sent.
5. For us, faith cannot remain private; it must flow into service, justice, and evangelisation.
6. Affirming the Role of Women and All Disciples

5. The passage challenges lingering inequalities in ministry and leadership.
6. It calls the Church to fully value the gifts and voices of all the baptised.

Church Interpretation

1. The First Witness of the Resurrection

1. The Church honours Mary Magdalene as the first person to encounter the risen Christ and the first to proclaim the resurrection.
2. She is often called the apostle to the apostles, highlighting her unique role in salvation history.
3. Personal Encounter and Faith

2. The passage illustrates that faith begins with a personal encounter with Christ.
3. The Church teaches that Jesus calls each believer by name, inviting a relationship of love and trust.
4. New Relationship with God

3. Jesus’ words, “My Father and your Father, my God and your God,” reveal the new covenant relationship made possible through His death and resurrection.
4. This underpins Catholic teaching on divine adoption and the unity of believers as God’s family.
5. Mission and Evangelisation

4. Mary’s commissioning reflects the Church’s missionary nature: every disciple is sent to announce the Good News.
5. The Church sees this as a model for evangelisation in every age.
6. Equality and Dignity of Disciples

5. By choosing Mary as the first witness, the Gospel affirms the dignity and mission of women in the Church.
6. This text is often cited in discussions on the role of women in ministry and leadership.

Usage in Church Life

Liturgy

Proclaimed during the Easter Octave (Tuesday of Easter Week) and on the Feast of St Mary Magdalene (22 July).

Used in the Liturgy of the Hours and in the Common of Holy Women.

Catechesis and Sacramental Preparation

Referenced in teaching about the resurrection, discipleship, and mission.

Highlights the personal nature of faith and the call to witness.

Magisterial Teaching

Quoted in papal documents on evangelisation and the role of women (e.g., Mulieris Dignitatem by St John Paul II).

Emphasised in Vatican II documents on the laity’s mission (Apostolicam Actuositatem).

Spirituality and Devotion

Frequently used in retreats and formation programmes to explore themes of encounter and mission.