20:17 Do not cling to me. There is no impropriety in touching the resurrection body; in v. 27 Jesus tells Thomas to touch Him (see also Matt. 28:9). Jesus reminds Mary that He is not merely recovered but resurrected. She need not “cling to” Jesus as an earthly being who has been healed; rather, she should recognize Him as One whose resurrection marks Him as Lord and Christ. The kind of relationship that had been enjoyed by His friends up to now cannot continue unchanged. There is a continuing intimacy to be sure, but not of the former kind. There is no reason to suppose that Jesus ascended to the Father between His encounters with Mary and Thomas. See “The Ascension of Jesus” at Luke 24:51.

my brothers. Jesus’ disciples; the same language is used in Matt. 28:10.

my Father and your Father, to my God and your God. Jesus distinguishes pointedly His unique Sonship from the sonship of the disciples. Jesus’ relation to the Godhead is different from that of redeemed humans; He is the Lord from heaven (1:18; 3:13, 31).