John 20:17
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.
Original Language Analysis
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
1 of 37
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτοῖς
unto her
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 37
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 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 37
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Μή
not
G3361
Μή
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
5 of 37
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ἅπτου
Touch
G680
ἅπτου
Touch
Strong's:
G680
Word #:
7 of 37
properly, to attach oneself to, i.e., to touch (in many implied relations)
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
9 of 37
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
11 of 37
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,
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατέρα
Father
G3962
πατέρα
Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
13 of 37
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
πορεύου
go
G4198
πορεύου
go
Strong's:
G4198
Word #:
15 of 37
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
17 of 37
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,
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφούς
brethren
G80
ἀδελφούς
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
19 of 37
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 37
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοῖς
unto her
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
23 of 37
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
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
25 of 37
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,
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατέρα
Father
G3962
πατέρα
Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
27 of 37
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
29 of 37
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πατέρα
Father
G3962
πατέρα
Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
30 of 37
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
32 of 37
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
θεὸν
God
G2316
θεὸν
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
33 of 37
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
35 of 37
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Galatians 3:26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.John 16:28I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.1 Peter 1:3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,Psalms 68:18Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.1 John 3:2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.Romans 8:29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.Matthew 12:50For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.Matthew 28:7And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.John 17:11And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.John 17:25O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
Historical 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).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's statement about "my Father and your Father" demonstrate the privilege and security of adoption into God's family?
- What old ways of relating to Jesus might you be "clinging to" instead of embracing the Spirit-empowered relationship He offers?
- How does Jesus commissioning Mary to announce His resurrection challenge cultural assumptions about who can bear witness to Christ?
Related Resources
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Analysis & 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.