Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 20:17

"Jesus saith to her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended unto the Father: but go unto my brethren, and say to them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and my God and your God." — John 20:17 (ASV)

Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not;—

Or, as the words may be read, "Hold me not; detain me not."

And say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

Thus Christ explained to them that the Father, who is God, was God to Christ, and God to them; the Father of Christ, and their Father also.

But go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

Practical service is better than personal rapture. Mary would gladly have held her Lord, but he says to her, Go to my brethren. You will always find that it is best and safest to do what Jesus tells you, when he tells you, and as he tells you. What a delightful message is this from the risen Christ! Go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

For I am not yet ascended to my Father:

"I have to go away from you, so do not imagine that you can hold me back. No, the time for such communications with me is past, for I am now in another condition. I will communicate with you spiritually; but, for that, you must wait a little: I am not yet ascended to my Father."

But go to my brethren, –

He had never called them that before. "Brethren" he had called them, but not with the emphatic "my." "Go to my brethren," –

Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father:

"There will be time enough for the fellowship your heart craves"—