King James Version

What Does John 20:17 Mean?

John 20:17 in the King James Version says “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 ... — study this verse from John chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

John 20:17 · KJV


Context

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.

18

Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

19

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father—Jesus's words (mē mou haptou, μή μου ἅπτου) literally mean "stop clinging to me" (present imperative with negative particle), suggesting Mary had grasped Him. This isn't prohibition against touching (Thomas later touches, John 20:27) but against clinging to the pre-resurrection relationship. The reason clause—"I am not yet ascended"—indicates Jesus's ascension will complete His redemptive work, inaugurating a new mode of Christ's presence through the Holy Spirit. Mary must release physical presence to receive spiritual presence.

Go to my brethren—profoundly, Jesus calls the disciples "brethren" (adelphous, ἀδελφούς), not in John 15:15's "friends" sense but as family sharing His sonship. The message demonstrates new covenant reality: "I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." Notice the careful distinction: "my Father AND your Father"—not "OUR Father"—preserving Christ's unique eternal sonship while granting believers adopted sonship through His redemptive work. Through Christ's death and resurrection, His Father becomes our Father; His God, our God. Mary becomes the first gospel preacher, commissioned to announce resurrection and the new family relationship it establishes.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus's ascension, referenced here proleptically, occurred forty days after resurrection (Acts 1:3, 9-11). The ascension completed Christ's exaltation, positioning Him at the Father's right hand (Ephesians 1:20, Hebrews 1:3) where He intercedes for believers (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25) and from where He sent the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:33). Early Christian theology, reflected in creeds, confessed both resurrection and ascension as essential to Christ's saving work.

Jesus's commission of Mary as first resurrection witness was culturally radical. Jewish law required two male witnesses for testimony validity (Deuteronomy 19:15), and rabbinic tradition questioned women's testimony. Yet God chose a woman—and one previously demon-possessed (Luke 8:2)—as the resurrection's first herald. This reflects the gospel's power to elevate the marginalized and God's delight in confounding worldly wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus's statement about "my Father and your Father" demonstrate the privilege and security of adoption into God's family?
  2. What old ways of relating to Jesus might you be "clinging to" instead of embracing the Spirit-empowered relationship He offers?
  3. How does Jesus commissioning Mary to announce His resurrection challenge cultural assumptions about who can bear witness to Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 37 words
λέγει1 of 37

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

αὐτοῖς2 of 37

unto her

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 37
G3588

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

Ἰησοῦς4 of 37

Jesus

G2424

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

Μή5 of 37

not

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

μου6 of 37

me

G3450

of me

ἅπτου7 of 37

Touch

G680

properly, to attach oneself to, i.e., to touch (in many implied relations)

οὔπω8 of 37

not yet

G3768

not yet

γὰρ9 of 37

for

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

Ἀναβαίνω10 of 37

I am

G305

to go up (literally or figuratively)

πρὸς11 of 37

to

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

τὸν12 of 37
G3588

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

πατέρα13 of 37

Father

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

μου14 of 37

me

G3450

of me

πορεύου15 of 37

go

G4198

to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)

δὲ16 of 37

but

G1161

but, and, etc

πρὸς17 of 37

to

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

τοὺς18 of 37
G3588

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

ἀδελφούς19 of 37

brethren

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

μου20 of 37

me

G3450

of me

καὶ21 of 37

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἰπὲ22 of 37

say

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτοῖς23 of 37

unto her

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

Ἀναβαίνω24 of 37

I am

G305

to go up (literally or figuratively)

πρὸς25 of 37

to

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

τὸν26 of 37
G3588

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

πατέρα27 of 37

Father

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

μου28 of 37

me

G3450

of me

καὶ29 of 37

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πατέρα30 of 37

Father

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

ὑμῶν31 of 37

your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

καὶ32 of 37

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

θεὸν33 of 37

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

μου34 of 37

me

G3450

of me

καὶ35 of 37

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

θεὸν36 of 37

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ὑμῶν37 of 37

your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you


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 20:17 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 20:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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