John 20 15

John 20:15 kjv

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

John 20:15 nkjv

Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, "Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away."

John 20:15 niv

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."

John 20:15 esv

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."

John 20:15 nlt

"Dear woman, why are you crying?" Jesus asked her. "Who are you looking for?" She thought he was the gardener. "Sir," she said, "if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him."

John 20 verses

John 20 15 Meaning

John 20:15 describes the pivotal moment immediately following the discovery of Jesus' empty tomb by Mary Magdalene. Overwhelmed by grief and misunderstanding, she mistakes the resurrected Christ for a gardener. In this encounter, Jesus gently questions her sorrow and her objective, initiating a dialogue that leads to her recognizing Him. The verse encapsulates human sorrow in the face of perceived loss, the spiritual blindness that can accompany it, and the initial stage of divine revelation in the dawn of the resurrection.

John 20 15 Context

John chapter 20 narrates the events of the resurrection day, focusing initially on Mary Magdalene's discovery of the empty tomb, followed by Peter and John's inspection, and then a profound personal encounter between the resurrected Jesus and Mary. The broader context of John's Gospel emphasizes Jesus' identity as the Son of God, the giver of life, and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Mary's profound sorrow at the apparent 'loss' of Jesus' body, even in death, sets the stage for the dramatic revelation. Historically and culturally, profound grief was expressed outwardly, and the Jewish practice of preparing bodies for burial was meticulous. Mary's concern over the body being "carried away" indicates fear of desecration or inability to perform further rites, which was a grave concern in that culture. The setting of a "garden" is significant, subtly echoing Eden, suggesting new creation.

John 20 15 Word analysis

• Jesus: (Greek: Iēsous) The divine Son of God, here in His post-resurrection, bodily form. His initiative in speaking reveals His sovereign awareness and compassionate presence.
• said to her: Implies an intentional address, direct and personal. Jesus initiates the interaction.
• Woman: (Greek: Γύναι - Gynai) A respectful term, not demeaning. Jesus uses this same address for His mother (Jn 2:4; 19:26) and other women (Jn 4:21; 8:10), indicating tender consideration and universal applicability beyond personal relationship.
• why: (Greek: Τί - Ti) A direct inquiry, not a reprimand. It invites Mary to articulate her deep sorrow.
• are you weeping?: (Greek: κλαίεις - klaieis) Denotes audible, lamenting grief, characteristic of profound distress. This shows Jesus' compassion for her immediate emotional state.
• Whom: (Greek: τίνα - tina) Points to a specific person, indicating that her seeking has an object, highlighting her purposeful but misguided search for a body rather than the living Lord.
• are you seeking?: (Greek: ζητεῖς - zēteis) To search, inquire, strive for. This highlights Mary's active, ardent pursuit, though her current understanding is limited to a lost corpse.
• She: Refers to Mary Magdalene, emphasizing her specific action and perspective.
• supposing Him to be the gardener: (Greek: δοκοῦσα ὅτι ὁ κηπουρός ἐστιν - dokousa hoti ho kēpouros estin) Reveals her state of mistaken identity due to tear-blurred vision, morning dimness, and perhaps His unassuming appearance. "Gardener" (Greek: κηπουρός - kēpouros) is significant. It implies someone who cares for the garden. The presence of a "gardener" points back to the tomb being in a garden (Jn 19:41), potentially hinting at a "New Eden" and Jesus as the "New Adam," tending the garden of the new creation, giving new life. This is a subtle yet profound theological parallel.
• said to Him: Her direct address, based on her mistaken premise.
• Sir: (Greek: Κύριε - Kyrie) A respectful term, here likely meaning "Mister" or "master" of the house/garden, common address for an unknown person of authority. It foreshadows her later recognition of Him as "Lord."
• if You have carried Him away: (Greek: εἰ σὺ ἐβάστασας - ei sy ebastasas) expresses her suspicion and desperate plea. "Carried away" (ἐβάστασας - ebastasas) suggests removal by force or stealth, a theft or reburial without permission, consistent with Jewish burial concerns.
• tell me where You have laid Him: A plea for information, fueled by her overwhelming desire to retrieve the body for proper mourning and burial rites. This reveals her immense love and devotion even in grief.
• and I will take Him away: (Greek: ἐγὼ αὐτὸν ἀρῶ - egō auton arō) Declares her profound personal commitment and desperate strength. She, a woman, believes she can personally bear the body of Jesus (perhaps implying even carrying Him herself) or arrange for it.

John 20 15 Bonus section

• The Veil of Grief: Mary's tears literally and figuratively blurred her vision, preventing her from immediately recognizing Jesus. This illustrates how overwhelming human emotions, even understandable ones like grief, can momentarily blind us to the greater spiritual reality or the presence of God right before us.
• Typology of the "Gardener": The imagery of Jesus as a "gardener" holds rich theological implications. It harkens back to the Garden of Eden where God walked with Adam. Here, Jesus, the "Last Adam" (1 Cor 15:45), is in a new garden, tending to the beginnings of the new creation inaugurated by His resurrection, overturning the effects of sin that began in the first garden. He is the one who cultivates new life from death.
• The Shift in Perspective: Mary's plea ("if You have carried Him away...") reflects a focus on a dead body. Jesus' question ("Whom are you seeking?") redirects her to the person of Christ. The verse prepares for the fundamental shift from seeking a lost corpse to encountering a living Lord.
• Divine Initiative in Revelation: Despite Mary's earnest seeking, it is Jesus who takes the initiative to speak to her. This pattern of divine self-revelation is consistent throughout scripture, showing God drawing near to humanity, especially in moments of distress and searching.

John 20 15 Commentary

John 20:15 beautifully captures the raw human emotion of grief contrasting with divine revelation. Mary Magdalene's devotion is evident in her unwavering search, even as her tear-filled eyes obscure her perception of the risen Lord. Her initial mistake, identifying Jesus as the gardener, serves several crucial functions: it grounds the resurrection in a tangible, physical encounter (not a ghost or hallucination), highlights Mary's grief-induced spiritual blindness, and subtly alludes to Jesus' identity as the "New Adam" bringing new life in a "new creation" (the garden tomb). Jesus' gentle questions patiently draw Mary out of her sorrow and towards recognition, illustrating His compassionate empathy for human suffering and His initiative in revealing Himself. Her frantic desire to simply retrieve and care for the body underscores the depth of her love, setting the stage for the dramatic moment when Jesus simply speaks her name in the next verse, transforming her grief into overwhelming joy.