Paragraph 20:17–18
Jesus told Mary to go and tell the disciples that she had seen him alive. She obeyed him.
20:17a
Do not cling to Me: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Do not cling to Me means “You should stop clinging to me.” The form of the Greek verb has the sense of “stop doing what you are doing.” It appears that Mary was clinging to Jesus, possibly holding his feet (see Matthew 28:9). This is a command, but it is used as a gentle rebuke. Jesus was saying that Mary should not cling to him, something she was apparently doing. Translate this clause in a way that implies a gentle rebuke. For example:
You(sing/fem) should stop holding on to me.
-or-
You must not cling to me ⌊like this⌋ .
Jesus said: In the Greek text this is at the beginning of the verse and introduces a direct quotation, a command. If you begin a new paragraph here, it may be natural to make explicit that Jesus was speaking to Mary. Place this quote introducer where it is natural in your language. For example:
Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me” (New Revised Standard Version)
20:17b
for I have not yet ascended to the Father: This clause indicates the reason why Mary should not keep clinging to Jesus. The reason is because Jesus had not yet ascended (gone up) to his Father in heaven. However, it is difficult to understand why that meant that Mary should not cling to him. It is especially difficult to understand because a week later Jesus told Thomas to touch him. However, Jesus does not explain his statement, so your translation does not need to explain it either. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
because I have not yet gone back up to the Father (Good News Translation)
-or-
because I have not yet gone up, going home to my Father
-or-
because I must go up to where my Father is
for: The Greek connector that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for here introduces a reason. It is the reason why Mary should not keep clinging to Jesus. He had not yet gone back to his Father, and, it is implied, he had to go back. A few translations leave this word implied. For example:
Don’t hold on to me. I have not yet gone to the Father. (God’s Word)
I have not yet ascended to the Father: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as I have not yet ascended to the Father refers to when Jesus would ascend (go up) to heaven. He had said that he would do this in 14:12, 28, 16:10. But at this time he had not done this. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as not yet implies that this would happen in the future. In some languages it may be more natural to indicate this using a positive expression. For example:
I will soon ascend to the Father
-or-
the time is near/coming when I will go up to the Father
-or-
the time for me to ascend to my Father is still future
20:17c
But go: This phrase indicates what Jesus wanted Mary to do instead of clinging to him. He gave her a new responsibility or mission. Here is another way to translate this phrase:
Go instead (New International Version)
and tell My brothers: This introduces a direct quotation inside the direct quotation of this whole verse. In some languages it is natural to avoid such a direct quotation inside another quotation by using an indirect quotation. See the General Comment on 20:17c–d for examples of how to translate in this way.
My brothers: The phrase My brothers refers to Jesus’ closest disciples, the 11 who remained after Judas left. In this context it does not refer to Jesus’ family members. Here is another way to translate this phrase:
my disciples (Contemporary English Version)
20:17d
I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as I am ascending is present tense, although here it has a future meaning. He would certainly ascend (go up) back to his Father in heaven. The process had already started because he was no longer in the tomb. And Jesus’ ascension (going up to heaven) was certain to happen. Indicate this in a way that is natural in your language. For example:
I am going to the one who is my Father and my God, as well as your Father and your God (Contemporary English Version)
to My Father and your Father: This phrase indicates that Jesus’ Father was the Father of the disciples also, although in a different sense. Connect the phrases My Father and your Father in a way that indicates Jesus referred to one being, not two. For example:
to the One who is my Father and your Father
-or-
to my Father, yes, to your Father
to My God and your God: Jesus continued to speak of his heavenly Father, calling him both My God and your God. Consider how it is natural to refer to the divine being whom one worships. See how you translated the phrase My God in Matthew 27:26. It may be necessary to add a verb. For example:
the God whom I worship, who is also the God whom you worship
General Comment on 20:17d
The phrases “my Father,” “your Father,” “My God,” and “your God” all refer to the one divine being. It is important that this should be clear. For example:
I am returning to the One who is my Father and your Father, who is my God and your God.
Now because of Jesus dying for their sins, they are now sons of God. That means that God is their Father and God, not just Jesus’ Father and God. Here are some ways to translate this idea:
He is now your Father and your God.
-or-
Now you also can think of him as your Father and your God.
General Comment on 20:17c–d
This sentence includes a direct quotation inside another quotation. In some languages it may be natural to avoid an inside quotation by using indirect speech instead. For example:
But go to my brothers. Tell them that I am ascending to my Father and their Father, to my God and their God.
But go to my brothers and tell them that I am returning to him who is my Father and their Father, my God and their God (Good News Translation)
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