John 20:14
And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐστράφη
she turned
G4762
ἐστράφη
she turned
Strong's:
G4762
Word #:
4 of 19
to twist, i.e., turn quite around or reverse (literally or figuratively)
εἰς
herself
G1519
εἰς
herself
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
5 of 19
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀπίσω
back
G3694
ὀπίσω
back
Strong's:
G3694
Word #:
7 of 19
to the back, i.e., aback (as adverb or preposition of time or place; or as noun)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
θεωρεῖ
saw
G2334
θεωρεῖ
saw
Strong's:
G2334
Word #:
9 of 19
to be a spectator of, i.e., discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge))
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
11 of 19
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ἑστῶτα
standing
G2476
ἑστῶτα
standing
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
12 of 19
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ᾔδει
knew
G1492
ᾔδει
knew
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
15 of 19
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
16 of 19
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Mark 16:9Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.Matthew 28:9And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.John 21:4But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.Luke 24:16But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.Luke 24:31And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
Historical Context
The verb 'turned back' may indicate she turned from looking into the tomb (where angels sat) to look outside, toward the garden. Garden tombs often had chambers with benches where bodies were prepared before final burial. Jesus standing in the garden fulfills the imagery of Song of Solomon (the seeking bride) and Genesis 3 (the Last Adam in the garden where the first Adam fell). That Mary mistakes him for the gardener (v.15) has theological irony—he is the true Gardener of new creation.
Questions for Reflection
- How do your expectations about what Jesus should be doing prevent you from recognizing his actual presence?
- Why does resurrection recognition require more than physical sight—what kind of 'seeing' does it demand?
- What does Mary's failure to recognize Jesus teach about the resurrection body's continuity and discontinuity with his pre-resurrection body?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
She turned herself back (ἐστράφη εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω, estraphē eis ta opisō)—perhaps hearing movement behind her, or prompted by the angels' gaze past her. The passive voice may suggest divine orchestration of this pivot point. And saw Jesus standing (θεωρεῖ τὸν Ἰησοῦν ἑστῶτα, theōrei ton Iēsoun hestōta)—she observes him standing there (perfect participle suggests he'd been there), yet knew not that it was Jesus (οὐκ ᾔδει ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἐστιν, ouk ēdei hoti Iēsous estin).
Why didn't she recognize him? Tear-blurred vision, dim morning light, and supernatural prevention (Luke 24:16 suggests Jesus sometimes controlled recognition) all contribute. But primarily: she's looking for a corpse, not seeking a risen Lord. Our expectations shape perception—she literally cannot see what she believes impossible. The next verses show recognition comes through relationship (hearing her name, v.16), not just visual evidence.