Bible Strands
John 20:13
“Woman, why are you weeping?” they asked. “Because they have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I do not know where they have put Him.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Two angels in white address Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb while she stands grieving over Jesus's missing body. She responds directly to their inquiry about her tears.
The words — γύναι (gunai) literally means "Woman," and κλαίεις (klaieis) translates to "you weep." These terms frame the angels' direct question to her emotional state.
The thread — This dialogue echoes Jesus's identical question in John 20:15 and parallels Elkanah's inquiry to Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:8 regarding unexplained grief.
Why it lands — The text demands a reader acknowledge that grief often obscures present reality, requiring direct questioning to redirect attention from loss to what is actually before them.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- John 20:15 “Woman, why are you weeping?” Jesus asked. “Whom are you seeking?” Thinking He was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried Him off, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.”
- John 16:20 Truly, truly, I tell you, you will weep and wail while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
- 1 Samuel 1:8 “Hannah, why are you crying?” her husband Elkanah asked. “Why won’t you eat? Why is your heart so grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”
- Psalms 43:3 Send out Your light and Your truth; let them lead me. Let them bring me to Your holy mountain and to the place where You dwell.
- John 2:4 “Woman, what is that to you and to Me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”
- John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.
- Ecclesiastes 3:4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
- Luke 24:17 He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” They stood still, with sadness on their faces.
- John 16:6 Instead, your hearts are filled with sorrow because I have told you these things.
- John 19:26 When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, here is your son.”