King James Version

What Does John 20:15 Mean?

John 20:15 in the King James Version says “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him,... — study this verse from John chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

John 20:15 · KJV


Context

13

And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

14

And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

15

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

16

Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

17

Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? The risen Christ initiates conversation with Mary Magdalene using tender pastoral questions. The Greek verb for "weepest" (klaieis, κλαίεις) describes audible weeping and mourning, not silent tears—Mary's grief was visible and vocal. Jesus's question "whom seekest thou?" (tina zēteis, τίνα ζητεῖς) echoes His first recorded words in John's Gospel: "What seek ye?" to John the Baptist's disciples (John 1:38). Throughout this Gospel, seeking represents spiritual quest and discipleship.

She, supposing him to be the gardener—the Greek kēpouros (κηπουρός) literally means "garden-keeper." Mary's assumption was logical given the tomb's garden location (John 19:41) and Jesus's simple appearance. Yet profound irony saturates this detail: Jesus IS the true Gardener who tends God's garden, the Second Adam restoring what the first Adam lost in Eden's garden. Mary seeks a corpse to anoint, but encounters the Living One. Her request—"if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him"—reveals both devotion (she'll carry the body alone despite its weight) and spiritual blindness. The very One she seeks stands before her, yet grief veils recognition. Until Christ reveals Himself, even proximity brings no knowledge.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This encounter occurred early Sunday morning in Joseph of Arimathea's private garden tomb (John 19:41-42), located near Golgotha outside Jerusalem's walls. First-century Jewish gardens often had caretakers who maintained plants, managed burials, and protected tombs from vandalism. Mary Magdalene's presence at dawn reflects both Jewish burial customs (women performed anointing) and the practical reality that Sabbath prohibitions had prevented proper preparation of Jesus's body.

Mary Magdalene holds unique prominence among Jesus's followers. Luke 8:2-3 identifies her as one from whom Jesus cast seven demons, and she became a devoted disciple who financially supported His ministry. All four Gospels place her at the crucifixion and resurrection, making her the first resurrection witness—remarkable in a culture where women's testimony held little legal weight. Early church tradition honored her as "apostle to the apostles."

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus's gentle questioning of Mary model pastoral care for those experiencing profound grief?
  2. What spiritual blindness might prevent you from recognizing Christ's presence in your circumstances?
  3. Why is it significant that Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene rather than to religious leaders or male disciples?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 30 words
λέγει1 of 30

saith

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

αὐτὸν2 of 30

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

3 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦς4 of 30

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Γύναι5 of 30

Woman

G1135

a woman; specially, a wife

τίνα6 of 30

whom

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

κλαίεις7 of 30

weepest thou

G2799

to sob, i.e., wail aloud (whereas 1145 is rather to cry silently)

τίνα8 of 30

whom

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

ζητεῖς9 of 30

seekest thou

G2212

to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)

ἐκείνη10 of 30

She

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

δοκοῦσα11 of 30

supposing

G1380

compare the base of g1166) of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem (truthfully or uncertainly)

ὅτι12 of 30
G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

13 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κηπουρός14 of 30

the gardener

G2780

a garden-keeper, i.e., gardener

ἐστιν15 of 30

him to be

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

λέγει16 of 30

saith

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

αὐτὸν17 of 30

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Κύριε18 of 30

Sir

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

εἰ19 of 30

if

G1487

if, whether, that, etc

σὺ20 of 30

thou

G4771

thou

ἐβάστασας21 of 30

have borne

G941

to lift, literally or figuratively (endure, declare, sustain, receive, etc.)

αὐτὸν22 of 30

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

εἰπέ23 of 30

tell

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

μοι24 of 30

me

G3427

to me

ποῦ25 of 30

where

G4226

as adverb of place; at (by implication, to) what locality

αὐτὸν26 of 30

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἔθηκας27 of 30

thou hast laid

G5087

to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr

κἀγὼ28 of 30

and I

G2504

so also the dative case ????? <pronunciation strongs="kam-oy'"/>, and accusative case ???? <pronunciation strongs="kam-eh'"/> and (or also, even, etc.

αὐτὸν29 of 30

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἀρῶ30 of 30

away

G142

to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e., weigh


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 20:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 20:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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