Lexical Summary képouros: Gardener Original Word: κηπουρός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance gardener. From kepos and ouros (a warden); a garden-keeper, i.e. Gardener -- gardener. see GREEK kepos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom képos and ouros (a watcher) Definition a gardener NASB Translation gardener (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2780: κηπουρόςκηπουρός, κηπουρου, ὁ (κῆπος and οὐρός), a keeper of a garden, a gardener: John 20:15 (BB. DD., under the word Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence and Immediate Context The word appears a single time in the Greek New Testament, in John 20:15, where Mary Magdalene, weeping outside the empty tomb, mistakes the risen Christ for “the gardener.” The scene unfolds inside a garden adjacent to Joseph of Arimathea’s new tomb, fulfilling Isaiah 53:9 and foreshadowing the restoration of Eden. John places the event on the first day of the week, highlighting the inauguration of new creation life (see John 20:1; compare 2 Corinthians 5:17). Gardens in Biblical History 1. Eden (Genesis 2:8-15) – Humanity’s original dwelling, planted by the LORD, establishing the garden as a place of fellowship, obedience, and testing. Symbolic Resonance of the Gardener Motif • Care and Cultivation – The gardener tends, prunes, and protects. Scripture often portrays the LORD in these roles: “He dug it and cleared it of stones” (Isaiah 5:2). The Resurrection Narrative and Theological Implications 1. Reversal of Eden’s Curse – In Eden, Adam’s sin led to expulsion. In this garden, the Second Adam conquers death, opening entrance into eternal fellowship (Romans 5:18-19). Historical and Cultural Background Around first-century Jerusalem, private gardens near tombs were common for wealthy families. Such gardens required watchmen to guard them, preventing theft of produce or desecration of graves (compare Isaiah 1:8). Mary’s assumption that a caretaker might have moved the body reflects ordinary practice: laborers occasionally relocated remains to family ossuaries after decomposition. The social status of a gardener varied from slave to free day-laborer, typically identifiable by simple garments and early-morning work—fitting Mary’s pre-dawn visit (John 20:1). Intertextual Connections • Vine-Dresser Parable (Luke 13:6-9) – The patient keeper pleads for mercy before judgment, embodying Christ’s mediatorial office. Ministry Application 1. Pastoral Care – Shepherding God’s people parallels gardening: sowing the Word, pulling weeds of error, nurturing growth (1 Corinthians 3:6-9). Devotional Reflection The risen Christ chose to reveal Himself first amid cultivated ground, reminding every disciple that He still walks in the garden of human hearts. When He calls by name, the night of weeping turns to morning joy (Psalm 30:5). The apparent gardener is, in truth, the Creator of every garden and the Redeemer who guarantees that those who belong to Him “will never perish” (John 10:28). Forms and Transliterations κηπουρος κηπουρός kepouros kepourós kēpouros kēpourósLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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