When Jesus told Mary not to touch him, did that mean he was a spirit?
John 20:16-17 – Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch {Greek: haptou} 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.
Matthew 28:9 – And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them {the women}, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
John 20:26-28 – And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
Remark: These verses raise questions about why Jesus told Mary not to touch him. Some suggest he was in a supernatural state that made touching him forbidden or dangerous. However, this view is challenged by two points: (1) other women immediately after Mary, as well as His disciples later, touched Jesus and examined his wounds without harm or prohibition; (2) the Greek word haptou (translated “touch”) can also mean “cling to” or “attach oneself to,” not merely physical contact.
Did Jesus’ body display physical characteristics?
Luke 24:37-43 – [37] But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. [38] And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? [39] Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. [40] And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. [41] And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? [42] And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. [43] And he took it, and did eat before them.
Remark: Jesus was in his human body after the resurrection. He even addressed their false and superstitious belief that they were seeing a spirit and proved to them that he was not some kind of ghost, but rather “flesh and bones.” Moreover, he appeared to have physical needs and ate in front of them.
Did Jesus appear in different forms?
Mark 16:12 – After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.
Luke 24:16, 31 – But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. / [31] And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
Remark: “Appeared in another form” does not mean Jesus changed into a different form, but that he was not recognized. The text only says that he appeared (!) to them in a different form. Scripture consistently teaches that Jesus retained his glorified human body after the resurrection. His vanishing (Luke 24:31) shows supernatural power, not a change of bodily form.
In what form did Jesus ascend into heaven?
Acts 1:3-4, 9-11 – To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. / [9] And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Remark: The phrase “this same Jesus” suggests continuity — the same embodied and physically present person who ascended will return.
In what form is Jesus presently described in heaven?
1 Timothy 2:5 – For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus …
Acts 7:56 – And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Remark: The strongest evidence that Christ retained his humanity is Scripture’s clear description of him as “the man Christ Jesus” and “the Son of man,” who now serves as our mediator in heaven.
How does Jesus’ priesthood in heaven demonstrate that he remains in his human body?
Hebrews 2:17 – Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Hebrews 4:14-15 – Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 7:24-25 – But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Remark: As both divine and human, Jesus is the perfect mediator (1 Timothy 2:5). Having fully shared in human experience and remaining human, he is a compassionate high priest who understands our weaknesses and continually intercedes for us.
Will our bodies be like Jesus’ body?
Romans 8:11, 23 – But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. / [23] And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 49, 51-54 – [42] So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: [43] It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: [44] It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. / [49] And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. / [51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. [53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. [54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
Philippians 3:20-21 – For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
1 John 3:2 – Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Remark: The biblical teaching about the resurrection shows that we will still have bodies, but they will be restored and glorified. When Paul says, “it is sown… it is raised” (1 Corinthians 15), the repeated language of continuity indicates that the same person who is buried is the one who is raised. There is transformation, but not replacement. Our identity is preserved.
When Scripture speaks of a “spiritual body,” it does not mean a non-physical or immaterial body. Rather, it describes a body fully governed, animated, and perfected by the Holy Spirit. It will no longer be subject to corruption, weakness, or death. Instead, it will be suited not only for physical existence but also for direct participation in spiritual realities.
Following this line of reasoning, if we retain real, human bodies—glorified but still truly ours—and if our resurrected bodies will be like Christ’s (Philippians 3:21), then Christ’s body must also be truly human. His glorified body is not a different kind of being but perfected humanity. At the same time, he remains fully divine. Thus, the resurrection hope affirms both continuity of human identity and the exalted, glorified humanity of Christ.
Conclusion
By retaining his humanity, Jesus’ identification with us did not end at his death and resurrection. He remains one of us—our High Priest and mediator—forever able to represent humanity. After Satan’s ultimate destruction, no one will be able to claim a better right to represent humanity. Yet he is also fully divine. As both divine and human, he alone can mediate between humanity and the Father, fully identifying with both. The incarnation is a profound mystery and a glorious story of salvation.
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