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.

JOHN 20:17KJV
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John 20:17 (KJV)

What does John 20:17 mean?

John 20:17 records Jesus telling Mary Magdalene not to touch Him because He has not yet ascended to His Father, but instead to go tell His disciples that He is ascending to His Father and their Father, to His God and their God. Jesus is making a distinction about His current state after the resurrection and instructing Mary to deliver an important message to the others.

In this verse, Jesus (speaking to Mary Magdalene outside the empty tomb) gently stops her from holding onto Him, explaining that His return to the Father is still to come. He directs her to bring news to His "brethren" (the disciples), highlighting both His unique relationship with God as Father and the shared relationship believers now have with God because of His resurrection.

The Greek behind John 20:17

  • The word "Touch" (ἅπτομαι, haptomai) can also mean "cling to" or "hold on to," suggesting Jesus is not just forbidding a simple touch, but telling Mary not to try to keep Him from leaving or to hold onto Him physically as if He were staying.
  • "Ascended" (ἀναβαίνω, anabainō) is in the present tense here, showing that Jesus is in the process of returning to the Father, but has not yet completed it. This helps explain why He tells Mary not to cling to Him.
  • "My Father and your Father... my God and your God" uses the same words for "Father" (πατήρ, patēr) and "God" (θεός, theos) for both Jesus and the disciples, but Jesus carefully distinguishes His unique relationship as Son from the disciples' relationship as children of God by grace.

Why John 20:17 matters

  • John 20:17 clears up the idea that Jesus’ resurrection body was untouchable; later, He invites Thomas to touch Him, so the issue here is not about being physically untouchable, but about Mary’s desire to keep Him with her.
  • The verse emphasizes Jesus’ relationship to God as both unique and shared: He is the Son in a special sense, but through Him, His followers also call God their Father.
  • This moment marks a turning point in the Gospel, as Jesus sends Mary to announce His resurrection and coming ascension, making her the first messenger of this news to the disciples.

Where else these words appear

“yet” Greek G3768 · used in 22 verses

  • Matthew 15:17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
  • John 7:6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.
  • Acts 8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

“Touch” Greek G680 · used in 33 verses

  • Matthew 8:3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
  • Mark 5:27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
  • Luke 7:39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

“am” Greek G305 · used in 77 verses

  • Matthew 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
  • John 1:51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
  • Acts 21:4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.

“go” Greek G4198 · used in 147 verses

  • Matthew 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
  • Luke 9:52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
  • Acts 8:26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.