John 20:17 Meaning: Why Jesus Told Mary Not to Cling
Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold me, for I haven’t yet ascended to my 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 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.
Jesus saith to her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended unto the Father: but go unto my brethren, and say to them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and my God and your God.
Jesus saith to her, `Be not touching me, for I have not yet ascended unto my Father; and be going on to my brethren, and say to them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father, and to my God, and to your God.'
Jesus says to her, Touch me not, for I have not yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I ascend to my Father and your Father, and [to] my God and your God.
Meaning in one sentence
Why did Jesus stop Mary from holding Him? Learn the meaning behind 'Don't cling to me' and the invitation to a new kind of relationship.
Context
Mary Magdalene stands at the empty tomb, weeping. She has seen two angels, turned around, and mistaken the risen Jesus for a gardener. Then He speaks her name, and she knows Him. Mary grabs hold of Him, likely falling at His feet in worship as Matthew records. But Jesus gently checks her. He tells her not to cling to Him, because He has not yet ascended to the Father. He will remain on earth for forty more days before His ascension. There is time to see Him again. For now, He sends her on a mission: go tell the disciples that He is ascending to His Father and their Father, to His God and their God. This is the first sermon of the resurrection, preached to a woman who was first at the tomb.
Key Words
Two Greek words open up this verse.
The first is the verb translated “touch” or “hold.” It is ἅπτου (haptou), in the present imperative. That tense changes everything. Jesus is not saying “do not touch me at all.” He is saying, “Stop clinging to me.” Mary was holding on, perhaps afraid to lose Him again. The word can mean to fasten to or to adhere to. Jesus asks her to release her grip.
The second word is ἀναβαίνω (anabainō), “I am ascending.” Jesus uses the present tense, as if the ascent has already begun. The resurrection itself has launched Him into a new mode of being. The old, easy, constant companionship is over. But something better is coming. Through His ascension, He will be present everywhere, by the Spirit, with all who believe.
And there is a third treasure: He calls the disciples “my brothers.” He shares His own relationship with the Father. His Father becomes their Father. His God becomes their God. This is not a distant master but a family Head who brings His people into the same intimacy He enjoys.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have read this verse with wonder. Many Protestant commentators note that Mary was clinging to the old, earthly relationship, and Jesus gently redirected her to a new kind of communion that would come through His ascension and the Holy Spirit. They point out that Thomas was later invited to touch because he doubted, while Mary did not doubt, she simply wanted to hold on.
Catholic interpreters often see the prohibition as pointing to the new presence of Christ in the Church and the Eucharist: the physical touch is replaced by a sacramental, faith-filled encounter. Orthodox tradition emphasizes the depth of Christ's words, “my Father and your Father,” as the adoption of believers into the very life of the Trinity.
All traditions agree that Jesus does not push Mary away but sends her with a message of hope and inclusion.
A common misunderstanding
Many readers think Jesus is saying, “Do not touch me at all,” as if His resurrected body were too holy or fragile to be handled. This seems confusing when He later invites Thomas to touch His wounds. In fact, the Greek present imperative means “stop clinging to me.” Mary was holding on tight, perhaps trying to keep Him from leaving again. The correction is not about touch in general but about letting go of the old way of relating to Him physically, so she can receive the new way that comes through His ascension and the Spirit.
Living This Out
This week, notice what you are clinging to in your relationship with Christ. It might be a past spiritual experience, a routine that no longer feeds your faith, or a comfortable understanding of God that feels safe. Jesus invites you to release that grip. He is not pulling away from you. He is leading you into something deeper: a trust that depends not on your hold on Him, but on His hold on you. And then, like Mary, He sends you to share the good news. Your simple testimony that He is alive and that God is your Father can be the message someone needs today.
Main takeaway: Jesus calls us from clinging to His physical presence to sharing in His new family and His mission to tell others.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Mary was so happy to see Jesus again that she wanted to hug Him tight. Jesus said, “Don’t cling to me now, I have a job for you. Go tell my friends that I am alive!” Jesus had something even better for her to do.
For ages 9, 12
Mary grabbed hold of Jesus because she was afraid of losing Him again. But Jesus explained that their relationship was changing. He wasn't going to stay on earth the way He did before. Soon He would go to heaven, and then He would be with everyone, everywhere, through the Holy Spirit. He gave Mary an important mission: be the first person to tell others that He had risen. Sometimes God asks us to let go of one good thing so we can receive an even greater one.
Questions People Ask
Why did Jesus tell Mary not to touch Him?
Jesus was not forbidding all physical contact. The Greek verb means “stop clinging.” Mary was holding Him tightly, perhaps to keep Him from leaving again. Jesus redirected her to a new kind of relationship that would come through His ascension and the sending of the Spirit.
What does 'Touch me not' mean in the original Greek?
The phrase is μή μου ἅπτου (mē mou haptou). It is a present imperative, which in Greek means “do not continue to touch” or “stop clinging.” The same word can mean “fasten to” or “adhere to.” So Jesus is not saying “never touch me” but “let go of me now, because there is something more important I need you to do.”
Why could Thomas touch Jesus if Mary could not?
Thomas doubted the resurrection and needed proof that Jesus' body was real. Jesus invited him to touch His wounds to remove his doubt. Mary did not doubt; she believed and simply wanted to hold onto Jesus. Her need was different. Also, Jesus told her not to cling because He had not yet ascended, meaning there would be further opportunities to see Him before His ascension.
What does 'my Father and your Father' mean?
Jesus uses the same word for Father to describe both His own relationship and the disciples'. This is an extraordinary act of inclusion. He is not saying they are equal to Him in divinity, but that through His death and resurrection, believers are adopted into the same family. God becomes their Father in a personal, intimate way because of what Jesus has done.
Why does Jesus say 'I am ascending' instead of 'I will ascend'?
Jesus uses the present tense in Greek, which can mean that the ascension has already begun with the resurrection. His glorified body is already entering a new state. This also assures Mary that He is not disappearing forever; He will remain on earth for forty more days before completing His ascending. The present tense gives a sense of ongoing action, not just a future event.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study