Why Couldn’t Mary Touch Jesus?

The morning of the resurrection is filled with wonder, confusion, and holy mystery. John 20 records Mary Magdalene weeping outside the empty tomb, only to hear her name spoken by the risen Lord. In her joy, she moves to embrace Him, but Jesus stops her:

“Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (John 20:17, ESV)

Why would Jesus forbid Mary to touch Him, yet later encourage His disciples, and even Thomas, to handle His wounds (Luke 24:39; John 20:27)? The answer lies in the priestly role of Christ and the meaning of His resurrection.

The High Priest and the Holy of Holies

In the Old Testament, the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). He brought the blood of sacrifice before the presence of God to secure atonement for Israel. During this solemn act, no one could touch or hinder him. His consecration had to remain undisturbed until the offering was complete.

Jesus is the ultimate High Priest (Hebrews 9:11-12). His death on the cross was the sacrifice, His blood poured out for the forgiveness of sins. But the work of atonement included not only death but also presentation. He had to “enter heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf” (Hebrews 9:24). Mary’s embrace, though born of love, would have symbolized a premature clinging before this priestly mission was fully complete.

From Sacrifice to Presentation

Jesus offered His life, His blood, as the remitting sacrifice. In the resurrection, He stood as the victorious Lamb. In the ascension, He presented Himself in the heavenly sanctuary as the once-for-all offering.

This is why He told Mary not to cling: the story was still unfolding. She could not hold Him as if He were simply returned to life as before. His mission had advanced beyond earthly companionship. He was moving toward enthronement at the Father’s right hand, where His sacrifice would be eternally effective.

The Assurance of Resurrection

Later, when Jesus appeared to His disciples, the purpose of touch was no longer priestly but apologetic.

• To Thomas, He said: “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” (John 20:27).
  
  

• To the others, He said: “Touch me and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” (Luke 24:39).

The point was no longer about consecration, but confirmation. His body was real, not a ghost or illusion. The same Jesus who was crucified was alive again, bodily, tangibly, undeniably.

What It Means for Us

This passage holds rich theological meaning for believers today:

1. Christ is our High Priest. His resurrection was not merely a triumph over death; it was the consecrated step toward His heavenly priesthood. We have access to God because He entered the true Holy of Holies on our behalf (Hebrews 10:19-22).

2. The resurrection is real and bodily. Thomas’s touch and the disciples’ encounter confirm that our hope is not in vague spirituality but in a risen Savior with a glorified body, the firstfruits of our own resurrection.

Conclusion

Mary’s restriction and Thomas’s invitation tell two sides of the same story. The risen Christ was at once the consecrated High Priest on His way to present His offering in heaven and the risen Savior who reassured His followers with the reality of His resurrection.

We do not cling to Him as Mary tried to; instead, we trust Him as the enthroned High Priest who lives forever to intercede for us. Our faith is not in a spirit or symbol, but in the Lamb once slain, now alive forevermore.