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.
This verse takes place right after Jesus rose from the dead. Mary Magdalene — a devoted follower who had witnessed his crucifixion and came to the tomb to grieve — is the first person to encounter the risen Jesus, and when she recognizes him, she reaches out and holds on. Jesus gently tells her not to cling to him because his journey is not finished — he must still return to the Father, meaning God in heaven. He then sends her with a mission: go tell the disciples. Remarkably, he calls them his 'brothers' and says 'my Father and your Father, my God and your God' — words that signal that because of the resurrection, his relationship with God is now something his followers can share.
Lord, teach me when to linger and when to go. Thank you that Mary's story is also mine — that your resurrection is news too big for one person to keep. Send me today to someone who needs to hear it. Amen.
There's something deeply human in what Mary does. She reaches out and holds on. After the grief, the confusion, the loss — here is Jesus, alive. Of course she doesn't want to let go. But Jesus asks her to loosen her grip. Not because his presence doesn't matter, but because what's coming next requires her to move. The resurrection isn't something to experience privately at a garden tomb — it's news that needs legs. Maybe you've had a moment — a retreat, a conversation, a breakthrough at 2 AM — where you felt God so close you wanted to freeze time. There's nothing wrong with that. But Jesus tends to meet us in those moments and then send us somewhere. The encounter is never just for you. Who in your life is still sitting in the Friday grief, not knowing Sunday came? You might be the first to tell them.
Why do you think Jesus calls the disciples his 'brothers' here — what does that shift in language mean, and what had to happen for that word to become possible?
When have you experienced a spiritual high point you desperately wanted to hold onto, and what happened when life pulled you forward anyway?
Jesus says 'my Father and your Father' rather than simply 'our Father.' What do you think that careful distinction reveals about his unique relationship with God?
Mary is chosen to be the first witness of the resurrection and the first to carry the news. How does that challenge your assumptions about who God chooses to deliver important messages?
What good news — about your own faith or something God has done in your life — are you holding privately that might actually be meant for someone else to hear?
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Ephesians 4:8
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
John 16:28
For 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.
Romans 8:29
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Ephesians 1:17
He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Ephesians 4:10
And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Galatians 4:6
For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
2 Peter 1:17
Jesus said to her, " Do not hold Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.'"
AMP
Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
ESV
Jesus said to her, 'Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.''
NASB
Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
NIV
Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ”
NKJV
“Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
NLT
Jesus said, "Don't cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go to my brothers and tell them, 'I ascend to my Father and your Father, my God and your God.'"
MSG