Mary Magdalene Meets the Risen Lord
John 20:10-18
John.20.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- απηλθον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- ουν: CONJ
- παλιν: ADV
- προς: PREP
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- μαθηται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Luke 24:12 (structural): Peter inspects the empty tomb and then goes home (shows the immediate retreat/return of the principal disciple after encountering the empty tomb, paralleling John’s note that the disciples returned home).
- Mark 16:8 (thematic): The women flee the tomb trembling and say nothing because they were afraid—parallel reaction of astonishment/fear and withdrawal from the tomb scene.
- Matthew 28:8 (thematic): The women depart the tomb quickly with fear and great joy to report to the disciples—another account of participants leaving the tomb and returning to the community, highlighting movement away from the scene.
- Acts 1:12–14 (structural): After resurrection and ascension events the apostles return to an enclosed dwelling to regroup and pray—a later, corporate analogue to the disciples’ returning home and the period of regrouping following the tomb episode.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the disciples went back to their own homes.
- Then the disciples returned to their own homes.
John.20.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Μαρια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- ειστηκει: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,sg
- προς: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- μνημειω: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- εξω: ADV
- κλαιουσα: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,f,sg
- ως: ADV
- ουν: CONJ
- εκλαιεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- παρεκυψεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- μνημειον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
Parallels
- John 20:1-2 (structural): Immediate narrative context: Mary Magdalene discovers the empty tomb and runs to tell Simon Peter and the beloved disciple, setting the scene for her return and weeping in v.11.
- John 20:14-15 (structural): Direct continuation: after weeping and looking into the tomb she turns and sees Jesus, initially mistaking him for the gardener—shows the emotional arc from grief to recognition.
- Mark 16:5-6 (thematic): Women at the empty tomb meet a young man (angel) who announces the resurrection; parallels the female witnesses' encounter with the empty tomb and the shift from mourning to message.
- Matthew 28:1-8 (thematic): The women visit the tomb, experience fear and joy at the angelic announcement of Jesus' resurrection—parallels the presence of women, their grief, and the tomb's emptiness in John 20:11.
- Luke 24:3-5 (thematic): The women find the tomb empty and encounter men in dazzling apparel who question their seeking the living among the dead; parallels the confusion, grief, and supernatural dimension surrounding the empty tomb.
Alternative generated candidates
- But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. As she wept she bent over to look into the tomb,
- But Mary remained outside the tomb, weeping; and as she wept she bent over and looked into the tomb.
John.20.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- θεωρει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- δυο: NUM,acc,pl,m
- αγγελους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- λευκοις: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- καθεζομενους: PART,pres,mid/pass,acc,pl,m
- ενα: NUM,acc,sg,m
- προς: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- κεφαλη: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ενα: NUM,acc,sg,m
- προς: PREP
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- ποσιν: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- οπου: ADV,rel
- εκειτο: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- σωμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 28:2-6 (thematic): Angel(s) at the tomb announcing the resurrection; both accounts place heavenly figures at the burial site with the message that Jesus is not there.
- Mark 16:5 (verbal): A young man in a white robe is seen sitting inside the tomb—closely parallel imagery of a white-clad heavenly figure seated where Jesus' body had been.
- Luke 24:4-7 (structural): Two dazzling figures appear to the women at the tomb and recall Jesus' prophetic words about his suffering and resurrection—parallel in number and function of the heavenly witnesses.
- Acts 1:10 (thematic): Two men in white clothing (angels) appear at a pivotal resurrection/ascension scene, providing a recurrent Johannine/Lukan motif of white-robed heavenly messengers.
- Exodus 25:18-20 (allusion): The placement 'one at the head and one at the feet' echoes the paired cherubim on the ark's mercy seat—suggesting a typological link between divine presence/guarding and the tomb.
Alternative generated candidates
- and she saw two angels in white sitting—one at the head and one at the feet—where the body of Jesus had been lying.
- She saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been—one at the head and one at the feet.
John.20.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- λεγουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτη: PRON,dat,sg,f
- εκεινοι·Γυναι: PRON,nom,pl,m + NOUN,voc,sg,f
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- κλαιεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- οτι: CONJ
- Ηραν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- κυριον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- και: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- οιδα: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,sg
- που: ADV
- εθηκαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- John 20:2 (verbal): Mary's report to Peter and John uses almost identical wording: 'They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him,' matching the content of 20:13.
- John 20:15 (verbal): Jesus himself repeats the same address and question — 'Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?' — directly echoing the angels' words in 20:13.
- Mark 16:6 (thematic): An angelic figure addresses the women at the empty tomb about their search for Jesus ('You seek Jesus of Nazareth... He has risen'), paralleling the tomb-scene question and the explanation for the missing body.
- Luke 24:5-6 (thematic): Angels ask the women why they seek the living among the dead and remind them of Jesus' prediction of rising, connecting to the angels' question and the women's grief/confusion in John 20:13.
- Matthew 28:5-6 (structural): An angel appears to the women at the tomb, tells them not to fear and announces that Jesus is not here but has risen, paralleling the angelic encounter that reframes the women's weeping in John 20:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him."
- They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken the Lord away, and I do not know where they have laid him."
John.20.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- ειπουσα: VERB,aor,act,ptcp,nom,sg,f
- εστραφη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- εις: PREP
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- οπισω: ADV
- και: CONJ
- θεωρει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Ιησουν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εστωτα: PART,perf,act,masc,acc,pl
- και: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ηδει: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- οτι: CONJ
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- John 20:15 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same appearance: Jesus speaks to Mary and she initially fails to recognize him (mistakes him for the gardener), showing the same unrecognized encounter within the same scene.
- John 21:4 (verbal): Post‑resurrection recognition motif in John: the disciples at the shore 'did not know that it was Jesus' (uses similar language of non‑recognition).
- Luke 24:16 (thematic): On the road to Emmaus the disciples 'were kept from recognizing him'—a parallel theme of post‑resurrection lack of recognition by Jesus' followers.
- Luke 24:31 (structural): In the Emmaus narrative this verse provides the converse moment—'their eyes were opened and they recognized him'—structurally paired with earlier non‑recognition and showing recognition as a narrative pivot.
- Mark 16:12 (allusion): Mark describes a post‑resurrection appearance 'in another form' to two disciples, implying altered appearance or initial non‑recognition—an allusive parallel to Mary’s failure to recognize the risen Jesus.
Alternative generated candidates
- When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus.
- When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus.
John.20.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτη: PRON,dat,sg,f
- Ιησους·Γυναι: NOUN,nom,sg,m+NOUN,voc,sg,f
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- κλαιεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- τινα: PRON,acc,sg,m
- ζητεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- εκεινη: PRON,dat,sg,f
- δοκουσα: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,f
- οτι: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- κηπουρος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω·Κυριε: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- συ: PRON,nom,sg,2
- εβαστασας: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- ειπε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- μοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- που: ADV
- εθηκας: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- καγω: CONJ+PRON,nom,sg,1
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- αρω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
Parallels
- John 20:13 (verbal): The angels in the tomb ask Mary the same questions—'Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?'—an immediate verbal parallel within the same scene.
- John 18:4-9 (verbal): At Jesus' arrest he twice asks the question 'Whom do you seek?' (τίνα ζητεῖτε;), the same Greek verb and interrogative found here, linking themes of identity and seeking.
- John 19:41-42 (thematic): Notes that Jesus was buried in a garden tomb near the crucifixion site; explains Mary's assumption that the stranger is 'the gardener' in the garden setting of the tomb.
- Luke 24:5-6 (thematic): Angels ask the women at the tomb why they seek the living among the dead and announce the resurrection—parallel theme of questioning the search for Jesus' body and the revelation of his rising.
- Mark 16:6 (thematic): The angelic message to the women includes 'You seek Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified; he has risen'—echoing the motif of seeking Jesus at the tomb and the surprise of the risen Lord's absence.
Alternative generated candidates
- Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away."
- Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away."
John.20.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτη: PRON,dat,sg,f
- Ιησους·Μαριαμ: NOUN,nom,sg,m;NOUN,voc,sg,f
- στραφεισα: VERB,aor,pass,part,nom,sg,f
- εκεινη: PRON,dat,sg,f
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- Εβραιστι·Ραββουνι: ADV;NOUN,voc,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- λεγεται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- Διδασκαλε: NOUN,voc,sg,m
Parallels
- Mark 16:9 (thematic): Early resurrection appearance to Mary Magdalene; parallels John’s scene in which Jesus first appears to Mary and she recognizes him.
- Matthew 28:9 (thematic): Jesus meets the women after the resurrection and is greeted/worshiped by them—similar immediate recognition and reverent address following the resurrection.
- Luke 24:31-32 (structural): Post-resurrection recognition motif: the disciples recognize Jesus in a personal encounter (breaking of bread) after he has been revealed to them—parallels Mary’s moment of recognition.
- John 1:38 (verbal): Use of the address 'Rabbi/Rabboni' (teacher). In John 1 disciples call Jesus 'Rabbi,' paralleling Mary’s Hebrew 'Rabboni' (an emphatic form of 'teacher').
Alternative generated candidates
- Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).
- Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him, "Rabboni!"—which means, "Teacher."
John.20.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτη: PRON,dat,sg,f
- Ιησους·Μη: PROPN,nom,sg,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- απτου: VERB,pres,mid/pass,imp,2,sg
- ουπω: ADV
- γαρ: PART
- αναβεβηκα: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,sg
- προς: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- πατερα·πορευου: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- προς: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- αδελφους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- και: CONJ
- ειπε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- αυτοις·Αναβαινω: PRON,dat,pl,3
- προς: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- πατερα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- και: CONJ
- πατερα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- και: CONJ
- θεον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- και: CONJ
- θεον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
Parallels
- Matthew 28:9-10 (structural): Both are post‑resurrection appearances to women in which Jesus tells them to go and tell his brothers; Matthew 28:10 similarly commissions the women to inform the disciples.
- John 14:1-3 (thematic): Jesus speaks elsewhere of 'going to the Father' and preparing a place (John 14), echoing the same ascent to the Father mentioned in John 20:17.
- Hebrews 2:11-12 (verbal): Hebrews emphasizes Jesus' shared identity with believers—'he is not ashamed to call them brothers' and cites Psalm 22's language about declaring God's name to brothers, paralleling John’s 'go to my brothers.'
- Psalm 110:1 (allusion): Psalm 110 (and its New Testament use) undergirds the motif of the exalted/ascended Lord at God's right hand; John 20:17's ascent to the Father resonates with this enthronement theme.
- Romans 8:34 (thematic): Paul's depiction of Christ as risen, ascended, and interceding at the Father's right hand thematically aligns with John 20:17's focus on Jesus' ascent to the Father and the new filial relationship ('my Father and your Father').
Alternative generated candidates
- Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to 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, to my God and your God.'"
- Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go to my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"
John.20.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ερχεται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- Μαριαμ: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- Μαγδαληνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αγγελλουσα: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- μαθηταις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- οτι: CONJ
- Εωρακα: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- κυριον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτη: PRON,dat,sg,f
Parallels
- Mark 16:9-10 (verbal): Mark likewise describes Mary Magdalene as the first to see the risen Lord and to report it to the disciples (she announces that 'they have taken the Lord away' / tells the disciples).
- Luke 24:10 (thematic): Luke lists Mary Magdalene among the women who told the apostles about the empty tomb and the angelic/risen Lord, paralleling the motif of the women as first witnesses and proclaimers.
- Matthew 28:9-10 (structural): Matthew records the risen Jesus appearing to the women and instructing them to inform the disciples, echoing John's theme of the women as the initial heralds of the resurrection.
- John 20:17 (structural): Immediate Johannine parallel: the preceding verses narrate Jesus' appearance to Mary and his words to her, which lead directly to her going to the disciples as stated in 20:18.
- 1 Corinthians 15:5 (allusion): Paul's summary of resurrection appearances (to Cephas and then the Twelve) complements the gospel accounts by attesting to postresurrection sightings reported to the disciples, situating Mary's report within the broader witness tradition.
Alternative generated candidates
- Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord!" and that he had said these things to her.
- Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord!" and she reported what he had told her.
Then the disciples went back to their homes. But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping; and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb.
She saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been—one at the head and one at the feet.
They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him."
When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away."
Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in her language, "Teacher!"
Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"
Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and related that he had said these things to her.