Matthew Henry Commentary John 20:11-18

"But Mary was standing without at the tomb weeping: so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; and she beholdeth two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. When she had thus said, she turned herself back, and beholdeth Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou hast borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turneth herself, and saith unto him in Hebrew, Rabboni; which is to say, Teacher. 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. Mary Magdalene cometh and telleth the disciples, I have seen the Lord; and [that] he had said these things unto her." — John 20:11-18 (ASV)

We are likely to seek and find when we seek with affection and in tears. But many believers complain of the clouds and darkness they are under, which are methods of grace for humbling their souls, mortifying their sins, and endearing Christ to them.

A sight of angels and their smiles will not be sufficient without a sight of Jesus and God's smiles in Him. No one knows, except those who have tasted it, the sorrows of a deserted soul—one that has had comfortable evidences of the love of God in Christ and hopes of heaven, but has now lost them and walks in darkness. Who can bear such a wounded spirit?

Christ, in revealing Himself to those who seek Him, often exceeds their expectations. See how earnest Mary's heart was to find Jesus. Christ's way of making Himself known to His people is by His word—His word applied to their souls, speaking to them personally. It might be read, "Is it my Master?" See with what pleasure those who love Jesus speak of His authority over them.

He forbids her to expect His bodily presence to extend beyond the current state of affairs. Observe the relationship to God that comes from union with Christ: we, by partaking of a Divine nature, have Christ's Father as our Father; and He, by partaking of the human nature, has our God as His God.

Christ's ascension into heaven, there to plead for us, is also an unspeakable comfort. Let them not think this earth is to be their home and rest. Their eye, their aim, and their earnest desires must be set on another world, and this thought must be ever on their hearts: 'I ascend, therefore I must seek the things which are above.'

And let those who know the word of Christ strive so that others may benefit from their knowledge.