John 20:15
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.
Original Language Analysis
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
1 of 30
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 30
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
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 30
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τίνα
whom
G5101
τίνα
whom
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
6 of 30
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 30
to sob, i.e., wail aloud (whereas 1145 is rather to cry silently)
τίνα
whom
G5101
τίνα
whom
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
8 of 30
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ζητεῖς
seekest thou
G2212
ζητεῖς
seekest thou
Strong's:
G2212
Word #:
9 of 30
to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
ἐκείνη
She
G1565
ἐκείνη
She
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
10 of 30
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
δοκοῦσα
supposing
G1380
δοκοῦσα
supposing
Strong's:
G1380
Word #:
11 of 30
compare the base of g1166) of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem (truthfully or uncertainly)
ὅτι
G3754
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐστιν
him to be
G2076
ἐστιν
him to be
Strong's:
G2076
Word #:
15 of 30
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
16 of 30
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 30
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
Κύριε
Sir
G2962
Κύριε
Sir
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
18 of 30
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ἐβάστασας
have borne
G941
ἐβάστασας
have borne
Strong's:
G941
Word #:
21 of 30
to lift, literally or figuratively (endure, declare, sustain, receive, etc.)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
22 of 30
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
ποῦ
where
G4226
ποῦ
where
Strong's:
G4226
Word #:
25 of 30
as adverb of place; at (by implication, to) what locality
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
26 of 30
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
ἔθηκας
thou hast laid
G5087
ἔθηκας
thou hast laid
Strong's:
G5087
Word #:
27 of 30
to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr
κἀγὼ
and I
G2504
κἀγὼ
and I
Strong's:
G2504
Word #:
28 of 30
so also the dative case ????? <pronunciation strongs="kam-oy'"/>, and accusative case ???? <pronunciation strongs="kam-eh'"/> and (or also, even, etc.
Cross References
John 20:13And 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.John 18:7Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.Mark 16:6And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.Matthew 28:5And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.John 1:38Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?1 Samuel 1:16Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.Song of Solomon 3:2I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.John 18:4Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?Luke 24:5And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
Historical 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."
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's gentle questioning of Mary model pastoral care for those experiencing profound grief?
- What spiritual blindness might prevent you from recognizing Christ's presence in your circumstances?
- Why is it significant that Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene rather than to religious leaders or male disciples?
Related Resources
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Analysis & 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.