John Calvin Commentary John 20:16

"Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turneth herself, and saith unto him in Hebrew, Rabboni; which is to say, Teacher." — John 20:16 (ASV)

Jesus says to her, Mary! That Christ allowed Mary, for a short time, to fall into a mistake was useful for confirming her faith; but now, by a single word, He corrects her mistake. He had formerly addressed her, but His discourse seemed to be that of an unknown person. He now assumes the character of the Master and addresses His disciple by name, as we have formerly seen that the good shepherd calls to him by name every sheep of his flock (John 10:3).

That voice of the shepherd, therefore, enters into Mary’s heart, opens her eyes, arouses all her senses, and affects her in such a way that she immediately surrenders herself to Christ.

Thus in Mary we have a lively image of our calling. For the only way in which we are admitted to the true knowledge of Christ is when He first knows us and then familiarly invites us to Himself—not by that ordinary voice which sounds indiscriminately in the ears of all, but by that voice with which He especially calls the sheep whom the Father has given to Him. Thus Paul says, After that you have known God, or rather, after that you have been known by him (Galatians 4:9).

And she said to him, Rabboni! The efficacy of the address is evident from this: Mary immediately renders to Christ the honor that is due to Him, for the word Rabboni is not only respectful but also involves a profession of obedience. Mary therefore declares that she is a disciple of Christ and submits to Him as her Master. This is a secret and wonderful change effected in the human understanding when God, enlightening her by His Spirit, renders her clear-sighted, who formerly was slow of apprehension and, indeed, altogether blind. Besides, Mary's example ought to serve as an exhortation, so that all whom Christ invites to Himself may reply to Him without delay.

The word Rabboni is Chaldee, though the Chaldeans pronounce it Ribboni; but it is customary for words to change when they are transferred to a foreign tongue. The meaning is the same as if we were to say, My Lord! or My Master! But in the time of Christ, this mode of expression—using Rabbi and Rabboni instead of Master—had gained currency.