“Woman, why weepest thou?”
The full verse · John 20:13 · KJV
unto , , weepest ? She unto , they have taken , I they have .
Asked by
Angels: two angels in white sitting in the sepulchre, "the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain" (John 20:12)
The Scene
Early on the first day of the week, after Peter and the other disciple have gone home, Mary Magdalene stands weeping outside the empty sepulchre, stoops to look in, and sees two angels in white (John 20:10-12).
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionThe angels knew what Mary did not: there was no reason for tears. Gill says the question signified "that she had no reason to weep, but to rejoice and be glad; since, though the body of her Lord was not there, yet he was risen from the dead, and was alive."
Matthew Henry finds more than a rebuke in it. He says it was partly a rebuke to her weeping, but also "designed to show how much angels are concerned at the griefs of the saints," and meant "to make an occasion of informing her of that which would turn her mourning into rejoicing."
The Response
What Scripture recordsMary answered honestly: "Because they have taken away my LORD, and I know not where they have laid him." Matthew Henry notes, "The same story she had told" the disciples (John 20:2). She then turned and "saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus" (John 20:14). Jesus asked her the very same question, "Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?" (John 20:15). Her tears ended when He called her by name, "Mary," and she answered, "Rabboni" (John 20:16).
Historical Context
The world behind the wordsMary had come "when it was yet dark" (John 20:1). Barnes, explaining why she did not recognize Jesus, notes, "She was not expecting to see him. It was yet also twilight, and she could not see distinctly." Matthew Henry pictures the angels sitting "probably on some benches or ledges hewn out in the rock" inside the tomb.
"Woman" (gynai in Greek) is the same form of address Jesus used for His own mother (John 2:4; John 19:26) and for Mary a moment later (John 20:15). Notice also a small change in Mary's words. To the disciples she said "the LORD" and "we know not" (John 20:2); to the angels she says "my LORD" and "I know not."
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyGod's messengers met Mary in her grief with a question. The question invited her to say what was breaking her heart, and the answer to her grief was about to come in person. Jesus had promised His disciples, "ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy" (John 16:20). Mary is the first to see that promise kept (Mark 16:9).
Matthew Henry sees two things in her answer: "The weakness of her faith" and "The strength of her love." She could not yet believe He was risen, but she would not leave the place where she last knew Him to be. Jesus honored that love: Mark records that the risen Lord "appeared first to Mary Magdalene" (Mark 16:9).
Look Closer
Why was Mary weeping at the sepulchre?
Carry the question into prayer and conversation.
Lord Jesus, You met Mary in her tears and called her by name; what do You want me to see about You in the place where I am grieving?
A prayer to carry into the day.
- Mary wept over what she thought was a loss while the risen Lord stood behind her. When have your fears told a different story than what was actually true?
- Tell about a time when sorrow turned into joy as you came to see Jesus more clearly.
For you, a small group, a friend, or the dinner table.
Mary wept because she loved Jesus, and Heaven responded with a question. Matthew Henry hears in it a rebuke to her weeping, but also the angels' concern for her grief. You can bring your grief honestly to God, just as Mary told the angels exactly what she feared.
But Mary's tears were based on a wrong conclusion. She thought her Lord was gone, when He was alive and near. The question "why weepest thou?" can invite you to look again at what you think is true. The Lord may be closer than you can see.
Notice, too, what ended her sorrow. It was not information about the tomb but Jesus Himself calling her name (John 20:16). He "calleth his own sheep by name" (John 10:3).
Built from the biblical text and checked against trusted commentaries and lexicons. References & Sources
Keep questioning
“Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou?”
“Why seek ye the living among the dead?”
“Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?”