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| Question / Comment - When did Jesus ascend into Heaven? |
| When did
Jesus return to the Father? Was it in Acts 1 or in John 20? In John
20:17 Jesus tells Mary ' Touch me not for I am not yet ascended to
my Father; but go to my brethren an say unto them," I ascend unto my
Father, and your Father, and to my God and to your God".'. If Jesus
does not ascend to the Father in John 20, why is Mary not allowed to
touch Him in verse 17, and yet in verse 27 Jesus tells Thomas to
thrust his hand into His side? Did Jesus ascend to the Father more
than once? Thank- you. |
| Reply: It is a good question and I think the problem comes down more to the word that the KJV has used saying 'touch me not'. The Bible Knowledge Commentary explains saying the following for John 20:17-18. "She may have embraced Him
physically, for the Lord responded, Do not hold on to Me, for I have
not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to My brothers and tell
them. . . . These words spoke of a new relationship, new relatives,
and a new responsibility. Many wanted to "hold onto" Jesus. The KJV
translation "Touch Me not," has caused many interpreters to wonder
why He could not be "touched." The NIV translation is more accurate,
for He certainly was not untouchable (cf. Matt. 28:9; John 20:27).
Mary had lost Jesus once before (at His crucifixion) and it was
natural to fear the loss of His presence again. |