John 20:15 – “He asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’ Thinking he was the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.’”
Extended Explanation
Mary Magdalene was standing at the empty tomb, overwhelmed with sorrow. She had just spoken with two angels who had asked her why she was crying (John 20:13), and now, another voice asked the same question. But she did not realize that the person speaking to her was Jesus Himself.
Her response reveals her deep devotion. She assumes that someone has moved Jesus’ body, and in her desperation, she offers to go and retrieve it herself. This was an impossible task—Jesus’ body had been wrapped in linen and placed in a sealed tomb. Yet, her love for Jesus was so strong that she was willing to do whatever it took to find Him.
Mary’s mistake—thinking Jesus was the gardener—may seem strange, but it makes sense in her emotional state. She was not expecting to see Jesus alive. She had seen Him crucified, and in her grief, she was only looking for a body. Her sorrow kept her from recognizing the very person she was searching for.
This moment is a powerful picture of how grief and wrong expectations can blind us to the truth that Jesus is standing right in front of us.
Historical Context
Jewish burial customs involved placing a body in a tomb carved into rock, often within a garden-like setting. The tombs were tended by caretakers, which explains why Mary assumed she was speaking to a gardener. These garden tombs were outside the city, quiet and secluded places where mourners could come to grieve.
Additionally, Mary’s expectation that someone had moved the body was reasonable. Grave robbery was a serious issue in the ancient world, and tombs were often sealed to prevent theft. The idea that authorities or someone else had relocated the body would have seemed more logical to Mary than the idea that Jesus had risen from the dead.
This moment also takes place early in the morning (John 20:1). The dim light, combined with Mary’s tears and emotional distress, could have made it even harder for her to recognize Jesus.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights a key spiritual truth: sometimes we don’t recognize Jesus, even when He is right in front of us. Mary was looking for Him, but she was expecting to find a lifeless body. Her assumptions kept her from seeing the reality of His resurrection.
This also teaches that God meets us in our grief. Jesus did not immediately reveal Himself; instead, He asked Mary a question that invited her to reflect: “Who is it you are looking for?” This was not because Jesus needed to know—He wanted her to recognize what she was truly seeking.
Additionally, this verse echoes the idea that Jesus is the new Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45). The first Adam was placed in a garden, and through his sin, death entered the world (Genesis 3:17-19). Now, Jesus, the second Adam, meets Mary in a garden, having conquered death itself.
Literary Analysis
John’s Gospel is full of symbolism and irony. Here, the irony is clear—Mary is looking for Jesus, but she does not realize she is speaking to Him. This moment builds suspense, leading to the dramatic moment when Jesus will say her name and she will finally recognize Him (John 20:16).
The fact that Jesus asks, “Who is it you are looking for?” is also significant. This question echoes His words earlier in John’s Gospel:
- John 1:38 – Jesus asks His first disciples, “What do you seek?”
- John 18:4-7 – When the soldiers come to arrest Him, He asks, “Who is it you want?”
This repetition suggests that following Jesus always begins with a search. Mary was looking for Jesus, but He was about to show her that He was more than she had imagined—not just a beloved teacher, but the risen Lord.
Biblical Cross-References
- John 1:38 – Jesus asks His disciples, “What do you seek?”
- Genesis 3:8-10 – Adam and Eve hid from God in a garden; now, in another garden, Jesus reveals Himself as the one who restores what was lost.
- Luke 24:16 – The two disciples on the road to Emmaus also did not recognize Jesus at first.
- Isaiah 55:6 – “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.”
- Jeremiah 29:13 – “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
This verse challenges us to ask: Are there times when Jesus is near, but we fail to recognize Him? Like Mary, we may be looking for Him in the wrong way, expecting Him to act in a certain way while missing His presence right in front of us.
It also reminds us that Jesus meets us in our personal struggles. He could have revealed Himself instantly, but instead, He gently engaged Mary in conversation, leading her to discover the truth on her own. In the same way, God often asks us questions—not because He doesn’t know the answer, but because He wants us to reflect and grow in faith.
Additionally, this verse encourages us to seek Jesus with the right expectations. Mary was searching for a dead body, but Jesus had risen. Many times, we look for Jesus only in certain ways—expecting Him to fix our problems instantly or answer prayers exactly as we want. But Jesus often works in ways that we do not expect.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God does not ignore our sorrow—He enters into it. Jesus met Mary right where she was, in her grief, gently guiding her toward the truth. This shows that God is personal and compassionate.
This verse also reveals God’s patience. Jesus didn’t immediately correct Mary or tell her she was wrong. Instead, He let her express her heart before revealing Himself. This is a reminder that God does not rush us—He leads us gently to understand Him more fully.
Finally, this moment in the garden reflects God’s greater plan for redemption. The first sin happened in a garden, and now, in another garden, Jesus appears as the one who has overcome sin and death.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus had told His disciples multiple times that He would rise from the dead (Mark 9:31, John 2:19-22), but they had struggled to understand. Mary’s confusion reflects that—even though Jesus had spoken the truth, they had not yet fully grasped it.
- John 11:25-26 – Jesus declared, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Now, He was proving it.
- Matthew 28:10 – When Jesus finally reveals Himself, He tells Mary and the other women, “Do not be afraid.”
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 – Paul confirms that Jesus’ resurrection was the fulfillment of Scripture.
- Revelation 1:18 – Jesus declares, “I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever!”
This moment was personal for Mary, but it was also a moment that changed history. Jesus had risen, and soon, the whole world would hear the good news.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Why do you think Mary didn’t recognize Jesus right away?
- Have there been times in your life when Jesus was near, but you didn’t realize it?
- What does Jesus’ question, “Who is it you are looking for?” mean for you personally?
- How does this passage encourage you to seek Jesus in all circumstances?
- In what ways can grief, fear, or wrong expectations keep us from seeing Jesus clearly?
This verse reminds us that Jesus is near, even when we don’t recognize Him. He calls us to seek Him, not just as we expect Him to be, but as He truly is—the risen Lord, who meets us in our struggles and calls us by name.