John 20 · Verse 16

John 20:16

Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
John 20:16, King James Version

John 20:16 in other translations

BSBJesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
WEBJesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him, “Rabboni!” which is to say, “Teacher!”
ASVJesus saith unto her, Mary. She turneth herself, and saith unto him in Hebrew, Rabboni; which is to say, Teacher.
YLTJesus saith to her, ‘Mary!' having turned, she saith to him, ‘Rabbouni;' that is to say, ‘Teacher.'
DARBYJesus says to her, Mary. She, turning round, says to him in Hebrew, Rabboni, which means Teacher.
BBEJesus said to her, Mary! Turning, she said to him in Hebrew, Rabboni! (which is to say, Master).
WebsterJesus saith to her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith to him, Rabboni, which is to say, Master.

What does John 20:16 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on John 20:16-17
16-17. Jesus saith unto her, Mary--It is not now the distant, though respectful, "Woman." It is the oft-repeated name, uttered, no doubt, with all the wonted manner, and bringing a rush of unutterable and overpowering associations with it. She turned herself, and saith to him, Rabboni!--But that single word of transported recognition was not enough for woman's full heart. Not knowing the change which had passed upon Him, she hastens to express by her action what words failed to clothe; but she is checked.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 16. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. This was spoken, doubtless, in a tone of voice that at once recalled him to her recollection.

Rabboni. This is a Hebrew word denoting, literally,my great master. It was one of the titles given to Jewish teachers. This title was given under three forms: (a) Rab, or master--the lowest degree of honour. (b) Rabbi, my master--a title of higher dignity. (c) Rabboni, my great master --the most honourable of all. This title, among the Jews, was only given to seven persons, all persons of great eminence. As given by Mary to the Saviour, it was at once an expression of her joy, and an acknowledgment of him as her Lord and Master. It is not improbable that she, filled with joy, was about to cast herself at his feet.

(m) "Mary" Is 43:1, Jn 10:3

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 16 Mary - This word was no doubt spoken with uncommon emphasis; and the usual sound of Christ's voice accompanied it, so as immediately to prove that it must be Jesus. What transports of joy must have filled this woman's heart! Let it be remarked that Mary Magdalene sought Jesus more fervently, and continued more affectionately attached to him than any of the rest: therefore to her first, Jesus is pleased to show himself, and she is made the first herald of the Gospel of a risen Savior. After Mary's exclamation of Rabboni, and its interpretation by the evangelist, one MS., the later Syriac, Syriac Hieros., and three copies of the Itala, add και προσεδραμεν ἁψασθαι αυτου, And she ran to embrace, or cling to him. Then our Lord's words come in with the reason for them.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on John 20:11-18

We are likely to seek and find, when we seek with affection, and seek 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 suffice, without a sight of Jesus, and God's smiles in him. None know, but those who have tasted it, the sorrows of a…

Read the full comment on John 20:11-18 →

John 20:16 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

λέγειlegeiSaysG3004
αὐτῇautēato herG846
Ἰησοῦς·IēsousJesus;G2424
Μαριάμ.MariamMary.G3137
στραφεῖσαstrapheisaHaving turned aroundG4762
ἐκείνηekeinēsheG1565
λέγειlegeisaysG3004
αὐτῷautōto HimG846
Ἑβραϊστί·Hebraistiin Hebrew;G1447
ραββουνι,rabbouniRabboni,G4462
ὃhothatG3739
λέγεται,legetaiis to say,G3004
διδάσκαλε.didaskaleTeacher.G1320

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for John 20:16

  • John 10:3

    To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

  • John 1:38

    Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?

  • Exodus 3:4

    And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.

  • 1 Samuel 3:10

    And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

  • John 1:49

    Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

  • John 6:25

    And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?

  • Song of Solomon 2:8-17

    The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills. My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice. My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; …

  • Matthew 23:7-10

    And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

  • Isaiah 43:1

    But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

  • Matthew 14:27

    But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

  • John 13:13

    Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

  • Exodus 33:17

    And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Mary.
10:3; Ge 22:1,11; Ex 3:4; 33:17; 1Sa 3:6,10; Isa 43:1; Lu 10:41
Ac 9:4; 10:3
She.
Ge 45:12; So 2:8-17; 3:4; 5:2; Mt 14:27
Rabboni.
28; 1:38,49; 3:2; 6:25; 11:28; 13:13; Mt 23:8-10

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • John 20:15

    Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

  • John 20:16

    Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

  • John 20:17

    Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

Read all of John 20

John 20:16 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Dícele Jesús: ¡María! Volviéndose ella, dícele: ¡Rabboni! que quiere decir, Maestro.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Jésus lui dit: Marie! Elle, s’étant retournée, lui dit en hébreu: Rabboni (ce qui veut dire, maître)!
German
Elberfelder 1871		Jesus spricht zu ihr: Maria! Sie wendet sich um und spricht zu ihm auf hebräisch: Rabbuni! das heißt Lehrer.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Dicit ei Jesus: Maria. Conversa illa, dicit ei: Rabboni (quod dicitur Magister).