Why did Jesus allow Thomas to touch Him, not Mary? 1. Setting of the Post-Resurrection Appearances After the crucifixion, various accounts describe appearances of the risen Jesus. These episodes are primarily found in the Gospels and in 1 Corinthians 15:3–8. Early manuscript evidence (such as Papyrus 66 and Papyrus 75, dating to the late second/early third century) preserves the Johannine text accurately, confirming that these encounters were part of the earliest Christian tradition. John 20 records two specific interactions: one with Mary Magdalene near the empty tomb (John 20:11–18) and another with Thomas (John 20:24–29). Both happen shortly after the resurrection, yet the responses of Jesus differ. Understanding these differences requires examining the cultural context, the exact wording of the Gospel, and the theological significance of each encounter. 2. Mary Magdalene’s Encounter (John 20:17) Mary stayed by the tomb weeping, initially mistaking the risen Jesus for a gardener (John 20:14–15). Once Jesus spoke her name, Mary recognized Him and apparently embraced Him. In the Berean Standard Bible, Jesus’ response is: “Do not cling to Me,” which can also be understood as “Stop holding on to Me” (the Greek phrase με μου ἅπτου often carries the sense of “stop clinging” or “stop holding”). Though certain English translations read “Do not touch Me,” the context makes it clear that Mary had already grabbed hold of Jesus in her overwhelming relief and devotion. Jesus was not forbidding all physical contact; rather, He directed Mary to understand that He would soon ascend to the Father. He emphasizes His mission, telling her, “But go to My brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God’” (John 20:17). The focus for Mary at that moment was not to remain at His feet in perpetual physical embrace, but to carry the joyous news to the disciples. 3. Thomas’s Encounter (John 20:27) In contrast, Thomas initially expressed doubt at the reports of resurrection. When Jesus appeared to the disciples a second time (John 20:24–29), Thomas was present. Jesus invited him to place his fingers in the nail marks and his hand in Jesus’ side, saying, “Put your finger here and look at My hands; reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe” (John 20:27). Thomas needed tangible proof, and Jesus, knowing Thomas’s struggle, provided physical evidence. This was not a blanket invitation for everyone at every moment to test His wounds, but a demonstration of patience and concern for an individual disciple whose faith was wavering. Thomas’s immediate response—“My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)—shows that once faced with the resurrected Christ’s physical reality, he no longer required further signs. 4. Exploring the Key Differences 4.1. Emotional State and Need for Reassurance Mary, already convinced of Jesus’ identity upon hearing His voice, clung to Him out of love and reverence. Having that assurance in her heart, she did not need additional proof of who He was. By contrast, Thomas openly lacked certainty. Jesus permitted tangible contact in Thomas’s case to address doubt, not to encourage perpetual reliance on physical signs for faith (cf. John 20:29). 4.2. Timing and Mission To Mary, Jesus said, “I have not yet ascended to the Father” (John 20:17). Instead of remaining in a prolonged embrace, He directed her to announce His resurrection to the other disciples, signifying a transition from Christ’s earthly ministry to His imminent ascension. The physical contact Mary initiated was heartfelt, but the emphasis was to shift from physical presence to the mission at hand: spreading the news of the risen Christ. For Thomas, the timing centered on assuaging doubt in the days before Christ’s ascension. Jesus moved Thomas from skepticism to faith by allowing him to see and touch His wounds. Immediately afterward, Thomas acknowledged Jesus’ deity: “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). 5. Theological Significance of These Interactions 5.1. Affirmation of a Physical Resurrection Both events highlight that Jesus’ resurrection was not merely spiritual. Mary could hold Him, Thomas could touch Him. These details reinforce the doctrine that Jesus rose physically from the dead—a foundational claim affirmed in multiple passages (e.g., Luke 24:39) and supported by early manuscript reliability. Archaeological findings showing the veracity of burial practices in first-century Judea further support that these accounts are historically coherent. 5.2. Transition to Faith Beyond Sight Thomas’s declaration illustrates the ultimate goal of witnessing the risen Jesus: to believe in Him as God incarnate. This transition is aligned with Jesus’ statement: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). The encounter with Thomas teaches that faith, once established, should rest on the testimony of Scripture, the inward conviction of the Spirit, and the trustworthy evidence God provides—not on perpetual physical encounters. 5.3. Mary’s Commission Jesus’ words to Mary highlight that her immediate purpose was to share the resurrection message. While Thomas needed tangible proof for personal conviction, Mary was already convinced, and thus was entrusted with proclaiming the good news. This underscores the complementary roles among the disciples: some were called to testify, others needed to be strengthened in faith. 6. Historical and Manuscript Corroboration Numerous Greek manuscripts, including Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus, confirm the integrity of John 20, showing no omission of these verses. Early Christian writers, such as Irenaeus in the second century, reference the physical nature of Jesus’ risen body, illustrating that the encounter with Thomas was widely accepted in the early church. The consistent witness of the text, affirmed by manuscript discoveries and patristic citations, supports the historical reliability of these post-resurrection appearances. 7. Conclusion Jesus’ differing commands to Mary Magdalene and Thomas spring from each disciple’s unique place in the unfolding narrative. Mary was called to proclaim the risen Christ rather than continue grasping Him, signaling the urgent mission of spreading resurrection truth. Thomas was invited to touch the wounds so that his doubt would be dispelled, culminating in the declaration of Christ’s deity. These accounts underscore a physically resurrected Savior, validated by early manuscripts and consistent with the broader testimony of Scripture. They also reveal that while faith at times may be strengthened by tangible evidence, the ultimate blessing emerges from trusting God’s promises and the truth of His word. |
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