John 20:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.

NIV: At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

NASB: When she had said this, she turned around and *saw Jesus standing there, and yet she did not know that it was Jesus.

CSB: Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know it was Jesus.

NLT: She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him.

KJV: And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

NKJV: Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.

Mary Magdalene was one of the women who stood nearby and watched Jesus die on a cross (John 19:25). She saw Him hastily buried (Matthew 27:60–61) and came before dawn on a Sunday to give His body a more appropriate treatment (John 20:1). Finding the tomb empty, she ran to get John and Peter, who inspect the grave and leave without seeming to have much to say (John 20:2–10). This left Mary alone, crying, after which she looks in to see two men—angels—sitting in the tomb (John 20:11–13). She explains her grief, but apparently does not realize she is speaking to messengers of God.

Those prior details are crucial in understanding why Mary did not recognize Jesus at first. Her last glimpse of Him was a mutilated corpse (John 19:1–4, 18, 34). Modern entertainment includes "makeover" shows where someone is given a new hairstyle, clothes, and makeup, and family members note the difference. A common remark in those shows is "I almost didn't recognize you!" Mary, in state of mourning and confusion, eyes blurred with tears, and in dim light (John 20:1) would never have assumed the figure standing nearby was the same person she saw mangled and buried just a few days before.

John 20:11–18 describes a remarkable scene. In an era where women were ignored and often mistrusted, a woman becomes the first person to share her experiences with a risen Jesus. Mary Magdalene encounters two angels outside Jesus' empty tomb, followed by Jesus Himself. She obeys His commands to speak with the disciples. This event is another example of John including certain details, without repeating the exact same points as the other, older gospel writings (Matthew 28:1–10; Mark 16:1–8; Luke 24:1–12).

Peter and John get a report from Mary Magdalene that Jesus' body is gone. They arrive to find an open grave, and empty grave clothes, along with a folded face cloth. When the two men leave, Mary remains and suddenly encounters a resurrected Jesus. Though she tells the others, they resist believing until they see Jesus in person. Thomas is especially stubborn, and Jesus remarks on how blessed they are to have been given so much proof. John points out that his writing is meant to prove that Jesus is the Messiah, arranged to encourage those who read to come to faith.

Most of Jesus' disciples scattered and hid when He was arrested (Matthew 26:56). Only John and some women were present to see His death and burial (John 19:26–30, 41–42; Matthew 27:60–61). When Jesus' tomb is seen empty, there is further confusion. Jesus appears to His followers, proving that He is alive, and remarking that they are blessed to have so much proof. John will complete his account in the next chapter with another encounter and more reminders about the nature of his writing.

The gospel of John was written by the disciple John, decades later than the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The author assumes that a reader is already familiar with the content of these other works. So, John presents a different perspective, with a greater emphasis on meaning. John uses seven miracles—which he calls “signs”—in order to prove that Jesus is, in fact, God incarnate. Some of the most well-known verses in all of the Bible are found here. None is more famous than the one-sentence summary of the gospel found in John 3:16.