Mary’s profound grief actually blinded her to the very One she was desperately seeking. It wasn't just the dim light or an unfamiliar appearance; the Greek word used for "knew not" suggests a deeper lack of spiritual recognition, showing how sorrow can obscure even the clearest spiritual vision.
Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, 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 Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).
English Standard Version (ESV)
Mary Magdalene, deeply distraught and still weeping, turns from the angels in the empty tomb. She sees a figure standing nearby and, blinded by her grief and not expecting this, mistakes him for the gardener, not recognizing the resurrected Jesus.
Mary Magdalene was devastated. Her world had just imploded, and even in the face of incredible events, her sorrow kept her from recognizing the most important Person in her life.
Mary's intense grief is a key reason she doesn't recognize Jesus. The text suggests her eyes were filled with tears, and her mind was completely consumed with loss. It's a powerful reminder of how overwhelming emotions can cloud our perception, making it hard to see what's right in front of us, even if it's God's presence or guidance.
The Weight of Sorrow
Mary saw Jesus, but she didn't know it was Him. What changed about Jesus after His resurrection, and how did it affect how people perceived Him?
The Bible makes it clear that Jesus' resurrected body was different. While it was truly Him, it wasn't identical to His earthly body in every way. This mysterious transformation explains why Mary, and others, didn't immediately recognize Him.
A New Reality
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Understand the original words
zēteis · Greek Verb
A person who searches for someone or something, often with intensity. In a spiritual sense, it denotes the active pursuit of God, His presence, or His kingdom.
kyrie · Greek Noun
A respectful title used to address someone of perceived higher status or a stranger. In the Gospels, it is used to acknowledge authority, expertise, or simply to show courtesy.
rhabbouni · Greek Noun
A title of respect, meaning 'my master' or 'great one,' used by disciples to address a teacher. It conveys a high level of honor and recognized authority.
Mary's initial failure to recognize Jesus highlights the profound, mysterious nature of his resurrected body and the disciples' struggle to comprehend the reality of the resurrection amidst their grief.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Crucifixion and Burial
Jesus is crucified and buried in a borrowed tomb belonging to Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy council member.
c. AD 30, early morning
Women Discover Empty Tomb
Mary Magdalene and other women visit the tomb early Sunday morning, finding the stone rolled away and the tomb empty.
c. AD 30, early morning
Angelic Messengers Appear
Angels appear to the women in the tomb, announcing that Jesus has risen from the dead.
c. AD 30, shortly after angels' appearance— this verse
Mary Encounters the Risen Jesus
Mary Magdalene, still grieving and focused on the physical absence of Jesus, turns and sees a figure she doesn't recognize as Jesus.
c. AD 30, moments later
Jesus Reveals Himself to Mary
Jesus speaks to Mary, addressing her by name ('Mary'), which causes her to recognize him and exclaim 'Rabboni!' (Teacher).
c. AD 30, later that day
Jesus Appears to Disciples
The risen Jesus appears to his disciples on multiple occasions, solidifying their belief in his resurrection.
This passage parallels Mary's experience of not recognizing a divine visitor, as Manoah also did not initially know he was speaking with the Lord's angel.
Luke 24:16Similar to Mary's encounter, Jesus' appearance was mysteriously altered, causing the eyes of the disciples on the road to Emmaus to be 'kept' from recognizing Him.
Mark 16:12This account also depicts Jesus appearing 'in another form' to two disciples, highlighting a theme of altered appearance upon resurrection that could lead to non-recognition.
John 20:15The immediate follow-up verse shows Mary mistaking Jesus for the gardener, reinforcing the idea that His risen form was not initially familiar to her.
Matthew 28:17This verse describes the disciples' reaction to the resurrected Jesus, noting that 'some doubted' their eyes, which resonates with Mary's initial inability to recognize Him.
barnesJohn 20:14: "And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus."
Knew not that it was Jesus - She was not expecting to see him. It was yet also twilight, and she could not see distinctly.
vincentJohn 20:14: "And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus."
Turned herself backCanon Westcott, with that beautiful subtilty of perception which so eminently characterizes him, remarks: "We can imagine also that she became conscious of another Presence, as we often feel the approach of a visitor without distinctly seeing or hearing him. It may be, too, that the angels, looking toward the Lord, showed some sign of His coming."Saw (θεω…
Mary’s profound grief actually blinded her to the very One she was desperately seeking. It wasn't just the dim light or an unfamiliar appearance; the Greek word used for "knew not" suggests a deeper lack of spiritual recognition, showing how sorrow can obscure even the clearest spiritual vision.
Mary Magdalene, deeply distraught and still weeping, turns from the angels in the empty tomb. She sees a figure standing nearby and, blinded by her grief and not expecting this, mistakes him for the gardener, not recognizing the resurrected Jesus.
Mary Magdalene, deeply distraught and still weeping, turns from the angels in the empty tomb. She sees a figure standing nearby and, blinded by her grief and not expecting this, mistakes him for the gardener, not recognizing the resurrected Jesus.
"Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, 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…" — Mary’s profound grief actually blinded her to the very One she was desperately seeking. It wasn't just the dim light or an unfamiliar appearance; the Greek word used for "knew not" suggests a deeper…
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Last reviewed October 2026
