John 20:16 Commentary and Bible Study

And then, he speaks to her by name as her familiar Lord, and all her sorrow disappears in a moment. Christ had said to his disciples, ‘Because I live, ye shall live also’ (John 14:19). In her case it was a resurrection appearance, the first of all resurrection appearances, though what Christ had referred to was his living in his disciples by his Spirit. Yet, it is the knowledge that Christ is alive from the dead that restores hope and joy and peace to Mary in an instant. The use of her name led her to see that this was not some unknown gardener standing before her but her beloved Lord. He was indeed risen from the dead and now she dared to believe in that truth which transforms the world for all true Christians – that Christ is risen; that death is conquered; that the Lord Jesus has finished his work giving victory over all the powers of darkness to his own. Our comfort comes through our faith as it takes hold of Christ who for the time being remains unseen, revealed to us in his word by the Scriptures, but who will come again bodily and visibly when his purposes for this world are complete. ‘She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master,’ teacher, but it is a very special version of the word, Rabboni, which you reserve only for the senior most teacher. She hears her familiar name spoken in Aramaic, and she recognises him. It is her Lord and master.