New Testament · Gospel

John 20:17

The Empty Tomb

“Do not cling to Me,” Jesus said, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and tell My brothers, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’” John 20:17 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

John 20:17, in plain English

Jesus tells Mary: 'Don't hold on to me—I haven't gone to the Father yet. Go tell my brothers that I'm ascending to my Father and your Father, my God and your God.'

Why it's here

Notice what Jesus says: 'my brothers.' Before the cross, they were disciples. Now they're family. And 'my Father and your Father'—His relationship with God is now yours too.

Who's speaking

Jesus gives Mary a commission.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus redirects Mary from clinging to commissioning. He sends her with the most incredible message: He's alive, He's ascending, and the disciples are now His brothers. Everything has changed.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Jesus instructs Mary not to cling to Him because He has not yet ascended, and commissions her to announce His ascension to the disciples, whom He calls 'My brothers.'

Language and setting

The prohibition 'me mou haptou' (stop clinging to Me) suggests Mary has grasped Him and must release Him. The ascension is now the next stage. Jesus' designation of the disciples as 'My brothers' (adelphous mou) elevates their status post-resurrection.

Voice

Jesus commissions Mary with a message.

Significance

Jesus redirects Mary from physical clinging to a commissioning: she is to announce His ascension. The relationship terminology shifts dramatically as Jesus calls the disciples 'brothers,' signaling a new intimacy made possible by the cross.

In context

John 20:15–19

15“Woman, why are you weeping?” Jesus asked. “Whom are you seeking?”

16Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

17“Do not cling to Me,” Jesus said, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and tell My brothers, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’”

18Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what He had said to her.

19It was the first day of the week, and that very evening, while the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you!” He said to them.

Read all of John 20 — Mary weeping in a garden hears her name spoken by a voice she thought she'd lost forever. Then Jesus walks into a locked room: peace.

Understand every verse, not just this one

This page covers one. BibleKey does all 31,102 — tap any verse for its meaning, any word for its Hebrew or Greek root, and keep reading without leaving the chapter.

Get BibleKey

Understand every verse.

Not just the famous ones. BibleKey is free on iPhone and iPad.

Download on the App Store

Free on iPhone & iPad