John 20:13
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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λέγει
She saith
G3004
λέγει
She saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
2 of 20
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτόν
him
G846
αὐτόν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 20
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
ἐκεῖνοι
they
G1565
ἐκεῖνοι
they
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
4 of 20
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
τί
why
G5101
τί
why
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
6 of 20
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
κλαίεις
weepest thou
G2799
κλαίεις
weepest thou
Strong's:
G2799
Word #:
7 of 20
to sob, i.e., wail aloud (whereas 1145 is rather to cry silently)
λέγει
She saith
G3004
λέγει
She saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
8 of 20
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτόν
him
G846
αὐτόν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 20
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
ὅτι
Because
G3754
ὅτι
Because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
10 of 20
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Ἦραν
they have taken away
G142
Ἦραν
they have taken away
Strong's:
G142
Word #:
11 of 20
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
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριόν
Lord
G2962
κύριόν
Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
13 of 20
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἶδα
I know
G1492
οἶδα
I know
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
17 of 20
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ποῦ
where
G4226
ποῦ
where
Strong's:
G4226
Word #:
18 of 20
as adverb of place; at (by implication, to) what locality
Cross References
John 20:15Jesus 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 20:2Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.John 2:4Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
Historical Context
Angelic appearances at tombs (v.12) follow OT patterns (Genesis 18, Judges 13) where divine messengers guide interpretation of events. White garments signify heavenly origin. That Mary doesn't react with fear to angels shows grief's consuming power—or suggests she doesn't yet recognize them as angels, seeing only 'two men' (Luke 24:4). Her repeated concern about the body's location reflects burial customs requiring proper treatment of the dead.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does grief sometimes blind us to supernatural realities (angels) right in front of us?
- What does Mary's possessive 'my Lord' reveal about the nature of saving faith versus mere belief in facts?
- How does God use repeated questions ('Why weepest thou?') to prepare us for paradigm-shifting revelation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Woman, why weepest thou? (Γύναι, τί κλαίεις; Gynai, ti klaieis)—the angels' question (v.12 identifies them) isn't insensitive but designed to shift Mary's focus from grief to recognition. The same question Jesus will ask (v.15), showing divine coordination. Because they have taken away my Lord (ὅτι ἦραν τὸν κύριόν μου, hoti ēran ton kyrion mou)—her possessive 'my Lord' reveals intimate relationship, not mere discipleship.
And I know not where they have laid him (καὶ οὐκ οἶδα ποῦ ἔθηκαν αὐτόν, kai ouk oida pou ethēkan auton)—her focus remains on the body's location, still assuming theft. She addresses angels as casually as gardeners, grief eclipsing wonder. The repetition from v.2 shows her obsession: all she can think about is finding the body. This single-minded devotion, though misdirected in its assumption, prepares her to recognize the Shepherd's voice (10:3-4).