John 20:17

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

λέγει

G3004

saith

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

G846

unto her

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

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

Ἰησοῦς

G2424

Jesus

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

Μή

G3361

not

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

μου

G3450

of me

ἅπτου

G680

Touch

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

οὔπω

G3768

not yet

γὰρ

G1063

for

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

#10

Ἀναβαίνω

G305

I am

to go up (literally or figuratively)

#11

πρὸς

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,

#12

τὸν

G3588

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

#13

πατέρα

G3962

Father

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

#14

μου

G3450

of me

#15

πορεύου

G4198

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

#16

δὲ

G1161

but

but, and, etc

#17

πρὸς

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,

#18

τοὺς

G3588

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

#19

ἀδελφούς

G80

brethren

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

#20

μου

G3450

of me

#21

καὶ

G2532

and

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

#22

εἰπὲ

G2036

say

to speak or say (by word or writing)

#23

αὐτοῖς

G846

unto her

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

#24

Ἀναβαίνω

G305

I am

to go up (literally or figuratively)

#25

πρὸς

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,

#26

τὸν

G3588

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

#27

πατέρα

G3962

Father

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

#28

μου

G3450

of me

#29

καὶ

G2532

and

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

#30

πατέρα

G3962

Father

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

#31

ὑμῶν

G5216

your

of (from or concerning) you

#32

καὶ

G2532

and

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

#33

θεὸν

G2316

God

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

#34

μου

G3450

of me

#35

καὶ

G2532

and

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

#36

θεὸν

G2316

God

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

#37

ὑμῶν

G5216

your

of (from or concerning) you

Analysis

The divine love theme here intersects with God's covenantal faithfulness demonstrated throughout salvation history. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation from covenant love in the Old Testament to agape love in the New. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about hesed in the Old Testament and agape in the New Testament.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of divine love within the theological tradition of John Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does the divine love theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from covenant faithfulness to sacrificial love demonstrated in Christ, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about divine love?

Related Resources

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John 20:17

Analysis

Historical Context

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Topics

People

Study Resources