Verse 16
Mary recognized Jesus when He called her by name (cf. John 10:3-4).
"The Shepherd had called his sheep by name, and the sheep heard and joyfully responded (John 10:3)." [Note: Beasley-Murray, p. 375.]
She responded by calling Him by the name she had undoubtedly used to address Him numerous times before. John accommodated his readers by translating the Aramaic word. This title probably did not reflect insight into Jesus’ true identity. It simply expressed the joy of a restored relationship that she had concluded had ended. Mary swung from the depths of despair emotionally to the height of joy in one brief second. This is one of the greatest recognition scenes in literature.
"Never was there a one-word utterance more charged with emotion than this." [Note: Tasker, p. 221.]
Be the first to react on this!
