John 20:13 – “They asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying?’ ‘They have taken my Lord away,’ she said, ‘and I don’t know where they have put him.’”

Extended Explanation

Mary Magdalene, still grieving, is now confronted by the two angels she sees in Jesus’ empty tomb (John 20:12). They ask her a simple yet profound question: “Woman, why are you crying?”

At first glance, this question might seem unnecessary. Mary had just witnessed Jesus’ brutal crucifixion and now believed that His body had been stolen. She had every reason to be weeping. But the angels were not asking because they didn’t know—rather, they were prompting her to consider a deeper truth.

Mary’s response shows her deep devotion: “They have taken my Lord away.” Notice that she still refers to Jesus as her Lord. Even in her sorrow, she remains faithful to Him. But at this moment, she is focused only on her loss. She assumes that someone has moved the body and that she must find it. She does not yet realize that Jesus is not missing—He is alive.

This verse captures a moment of sorrow right before joy. Mary thinks she has lost everything, but she is standing on the edge of the greatest moment in history—Jesus is about to reveal Himself to her.

Historical Context

In Jewish culture, women were often seen as less significant in legal matters, yet God chose Mary Magdalene to be the first witness to the risen Jesus. This is extraordinary because in that society, women’s testimony was not always considered reliable in court. Yet God honored Mary’s faithfulness by allowing her to see Jesus before anyone else.

Burial customs at the time were also important. If a body was missing from a tomb, it would have been a serious concern. Grave robbing was a crime, and tombs were sealed with heavy stones to prevent it. Mary’s assumption—that someone had taken Jesus’ body—made sense from a human perspective. What she didn’t yet realize was that the tomb wasn’t empty because of human actions, but because of God’s power.

The angels’ question, “Why are you crying?” echoes similar moments in Scripture where God asks people questions not to gain information, but to reveal truth. In Genesis 3:9, God asks Adam, “Where are you?” even though He knew exactly where Adam was. Here, the angels invite Mary to step beyond her sorrow and see what God has done.

Theological Implications

This verse highlights how grief can sometimes keep us from seeing God’s work. Mary was so focused on her loss that she did not recognize the signs that something miraculous had happened. Many people today struggle with this—they are overwhelmed by sorrow or hardship and fail to see that God is still at work.

It also teaches that Jesus is personal. Mary refers to Him as “my Lord.” Her faith in Jesus was not just about religious beliefs; it was about a relationship. Even though she thought He was dead, she still clung to Him. This is a model for all believers—our faith in Christ should not depend on circumstances but on who He is.

Additionally, this moment foreshadows the joy that is coming. In just a few verses, Mary will see the risen Jesus face to face (John 20:16). Her tears of sorrow will soon become tears of joy. This reminds us that in God’s timing, grief is not the end of the story.

Literary Analysis

John’s Gospel often uses irony to highlight spiritual truths. Here, the irony is clear: Mary is weeping over a loss that isn’t real. She thinks Jesus is gone forever, but He is alive and standing nearby (John 20:14).

The structure of this scene also follows a pattern found in other moments of divine revelation. First, there is sorrow (Mary’s weeping), then a question (the angels asking why she is crying), and finally, revelation (Jesus appearing to her). This pattern mirrors many encounters in Scripture where people experience confusion before clarity, sorrow before joy.

Another interesting detail is that Mary doesn’t seem shocked by the angels. Normally, when angels appear in Scripture, people react with fear (Luke 1:12, Matthew 28:4). But Mary is so focused on finding Jesus that she barely acknowledges them. This highlights the depth of her love and determination.

Biblical Cross-References

• Luke 24:5-6 – Angels tell the women at the tomb, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!”
• Psalm 30:5 – “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Mary’s sorrow will soon turn to joy.
• John 16:20 – Jesus had told His disciples, “You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.” This is about to come true for Mary.
• Jeremiah 29:13 – “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Mary’s deep longing for Jesus leads to her being the first to see Him risen.
• Isaiah 25:8 – A prophecy that God will wipe away all tears, foreshadowing the resurrection’s ultimate victory over death.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse reminds us that sorrow often blinds us to God’s greater plan. Like Mary, we may feel like God is absent, but He is much closer than we realize. Sometimes, we need to shift our focus from what we’ve lost to what God is doing.

It also challenges us to have the kind of devotion Mary had. She called Jesus “my Lord” even when she thought He was dead. Many people praise God when things are going well, but true faith clings to Jesus even in times of confusion and heartache.

Additionally, this verse teaches that God meets us in our grief. The angels didn’t dismiss Mary’s sorrow—they acknowledged it, but they also pointed her toward the truth. In the same way, God does not ignore our pain, but He does invite us to see beyond it.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God cares about our emotions. He doesn’t tell Mary to stop crying—He gently leads her toward the truth that will bring her joy. This shows that God is both compassionate and purposeful.

This verse also reveals that God meets us personally. He could have revealed the resurrection in a grand, public way, but instead, He first appeared to a grieving woman in a quiet, intimate moment. This reflects how Jesus interacts with His followers—not just as a distant King, but as a loving Savior who meets us where we are.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus had promised that He would rise from the dead, but Mary and the disciples had not fully understood (John 2:19-22). This verse sets the stage for the moment when Mary will realize that Jesus has kept His promise.

• John 11:25-26 – Jesus told Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Mary is about to witness this firsthand.
• Matthew 28:10 – Jesus later tells the women not to be afraid, showing His gentle and personal care for them.
• Romans 6:9 – Jesus, having been raised from the dead, will never die again. His resurrection is final and complete.
• Revelation 21:4 – A future promise that God will wipe away every tear, just as He turned Mary’s sorrow into joy.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why do you think the angels asked Mary why she was crying?
2. Have you ever felt like Mary—grieving something, only to later realize that God was at work in ways you didn’t expect?
3. What does Mary’s devotion to Jesus, even in confusion, teach us about faith?
4. How can this verse encourage you to trust God even when you don’t understand His plan?
5. In what ways has God met you personally in your times of sorrow?

This verse reminds us that grief is not the end of the story. Jesus was alive, and soon, Mary would see Him with her own eyes. In the same way, our sorrow is never final—God’s plan is always bigger than what we can see in the moment.