What message did Jesus tell Mary to deliver to His disciples after the resurrection?
Jesus instructed Mary to go to His brethren, the eleven, and tell them, "I ascend unto my Father, and your Father, and to my God, and to your God." He gave this message before His ascension, calling them His brethren and directing her not to touch Him because He had not yet ascended.
Les explains that when Mary encountered the risen Christ, He told her not to touch Him because He had not yet ascended to His Father. Instead, she was to go to His brethren—the eleven—and say, "I ascend unto my Father, and your Father, to my God, and to your God." Les calls this the first ascension. He contrasts it with Jesus' later invitation to Thomas to touch His hands and side, showing the resurrection body was real. The second ascension, Les notes, occurs in Acts 1 when Jesus leaves from the Mount of Olives as the disciples watch. Hebrews 9 is then referenced as the complete record of what took place early that Sunday morning.
Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
More Questions
Why did Jesus say 'Touch me not' to Mary in John 20:17?
The reason Jesus gave Mary for saying 'Touch me not' was that He had not yet ascended to His Father.
Why did Jesus tell Mary not to touch Him after His resurrection?
Mary wanted to embrace Jesus when she realized He was alive, but He held her at bay and said, 'Touch me not, for I have not yet ascended to my Father.'