John 20:16

"Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?” She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”"

Key Reflection

This exchange reveals Mary Magdalene's grief and her mistaken identity of Jesus as a gardener who might know about the body of her teacher. Her plea to be allowed to take Jesus' body echoes themes of care and devotion, hinting at the deeper spiritual meaning of resurrection and transformation that Jesus would soon reveal.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 16. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. This was spoken, doubtless, in a tone of voice that at once recalled him to her recollection. Rabboni. This is a Hebrew word denoting, literally,my great master. It was one of the titles given to Jewish teachers. This title was given under three forms: (a) Rab, or master--the lowest degree of honour. (b) Rabbi, my master--a title of higher dignity. (c) Rabboni, my great master --the most honourable of all. This title, among the Jews, was only given to seven persons, all persons of great eminence. As given by Mary to the Saviour, it was at once an expression of her joy, and an acknowledgment of him as her Lord and Master.

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