Bible Strands
John 20:16
Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses Mary Magdalene at the tomb immediately after she mistakes Him for the gardener and asks where Jesus’ body has been placed.
The words — The Greek λέγει (legei) records Jesus saying “Mariam” (Mary), followed by στραφεῖσα (strapheisa), “having turned around,” as she replies with the Aramaic title Rabboni, meaning Teacher.
The thread — This personal summons echoes the shepherd who calls his own sheep by name and leads them (John 10:3) and parallels the divine call that demands immediate presence (Genesis 22:1).
Why it lands — The text establishes that the risen Christ initiates recognition by name and requires attentive response rather than physical clinging.
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
Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
Cross-references
- John 10:3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen for his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
- John 1:38 Jesus turned and saw them following. “What do you want?” He asked. They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are You staying?”
- Genesis 22:1 Some time later God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered.
- Genesis 22:11 Just then the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.
- Genesis 45:12 Behold! You and my brother Benjamin can see that I, Joseph, am the one speaking with you.
- Exodus 3:4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from within the bush, “Moses, Moses!” “Here I am,” he answered.
- Exodus 33:17 So the LORD said to Moses, “I will do this very thing you have asked, for you have found favor in My sight, and I know you by name.”
- 1 Samuel 3:6 Once again the LORD called, “Samuel!” So Samuel got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.” “My son, I did not call,” Eli replied. “Go back and lie down.”
- 1 Samuel 3:10 Then the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”
- Song of Solomon 2:8 Listen! My beloved approaches. Look! Here he comes, leaping across the mountains, bounding over the hills.