One of the most mysterious statements made by the risen Christ is found in John 20:17, where Jesus says to Mary Magdalene:

“Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father…”
(John 20:17, NASB)

Why would Jesus prevent someone who loved Him dearly from touching Him? Especially when, later on, He allows Thomas to touch His wounds (John 20:27) and even eats with the disciples (Luke 24:42–43)? The answer lies in the timing, and more deeply, in the fulfilment of the Feast of Firstfruits, also known as the wave sheaf offering.

John 20:27 — Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and examine my hands. Extend your hand and put it into my side. Do not continue in your unbelief, but believe.” (NET)

Luke 24:42-43 — So they gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in front of them. (NET)

Let us walk through this rich mystery step by step.

Timing: When Did Mary Meet the Risen Jesus? #

The Gospel accounts tell us that Mary Magdalene came to the tomb “very early on the first day of the week” while it was still dark (John 20:1). That means Sunday morning, the day after the weekly Sabbath.

This is the same day that the Feast of Firstfruits was celebrated in ancient Israel.

“On the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it [the first sheaf of the barley harvest] before the LORD for your acceptance.”
(Leviticus 23:11, NASB)

This feast took place during Passover week, exactly on the Sunday following the Sabbath. So Jesus rose on the very day that the High Priest was commanded to wave the first sheaf of the harvest before the LORD, signifying that the whole harvest was now sanctified and accepted.

The Feast of Firstfruits and the Sheaf Offering #

The wave sheaf offering was a sacred ritual that symbolised the beginning of the harvest. A single sheaf of barley—the first to ripen—was brought to the priest, who would lift it and wave it before the LORD as a token of thanksgiving and acceptance.

Leviticus 23:10-14 — “Speak to the Israelites and tell them, ‘When you enter the land that I am about to give to you and you gather in its harvest, then you must bring the sheaf of the first portion of your harvest to the priest, and he must wave the sheaf before the LORD to be accepted for your benefit – on the day after the Sabbath the priest is to wave it. On the day you wave the sheaf you must also offer a flawless yearling lamb for a burnt offering to the LORD, along with its grain offering, two tenths of an ephah of choice wheat flour mixed with olive oil, as a gift to the LORD, a soothing aroma, and its drink offering, one fourth of a hin of wine. You must not eat bread, roasted grain, or fresh grain until this very day, until you bring the offering of your God. This is a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all the places where you live. (NET)

Until this act was completed, no one was permitted to eat from the new harvest. It had to be first presented and accepted by God.

Jesus as the Firstfruits of Resurrection #

Paul writes clearly:

“But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
(1 Corinthians 15:20, NASB)

Jesus, resurrected with a glorified, incorruptible body, is the first of a great harvest. Just as the first sheaf guaranteed the rest of the crop, His resurrection guarantees the future bodily resurrection of all who are in Him.

So on Resurrection Sunday, Jesus fulfilled the wave sheaf offering in a literal and spiritual sense. He had been raised from the dead, but before fellowship could be fully enjoyed—even by those closest to Him—He had to present Himself to the Father as the accepted firstfruits.

Why Did Jesus Say “Do Not Cling to Me”? #

Mary, overwhelmed with love and awe, naturally tried to hold Him. But Jesus replied:

“Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.”
(John 20:17)

The Greek word used here—ἅπτομαι (haptomai)—means to grasp, to cling tightly. Jesus wasn’t forbidding all contact (as seen later with Thomas), but rather He was stopping Mary from holding Him back before a specific divine appointment was fulfilled.

Just as the wave sheaf could not be eaten before it was waved before the LORD, Jesus, the risen sheaf, had to ascend and be presented to the Father, fulfilling the Heavenly tabernacle offering.

Jesus the High Priest Ascending with the Sheaf #

This also points to Jesus’ role as our Great High Priest:

“…through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all time, having obtained eternal redemption.”
(Hebrews 9:12, AMP)

The earthly priest waved a sheaf of grain in the temple. But Jesus ascended into the true heavenly sanctuary, not with a sheaf of grain, but with His own glorified body—the firstfruits of the new creation. It was a once-for-all offering.

Once that presentation was accepted, He returned and freely interacted with His disciples—eating, teaching, and allowing them to touch Him.

Resurrection and the Feast Fulfilled in Christ #

Here is the divine connection:

Jesus did not rise at a random time—He rose on the Feast of Firstfruits, fulfilling the prophetic calendar to the very day and hour.

What This Means for Us #

Because Jesus is the firstfruits, His resurrection guarantees our bodily resurrection (Romans 8:23). The sheaf has been accepted, and the harvest is secure. We do not hope for a vague afterlife in the clouds—we await resurrected, glorified bodies in the renewed heavens and earth, patterned after the firstfruits, Christ Himself.

As Paul says:

“Christ… shall transform our humble body into the likeness of His glorious body.”
(Philippians 3:21, CSB)

Final Reflection: Do Not Cling… Yet #

Mary’s longing was holy, but the moment was sacred. The High Priest was en route to present the wave sheaf. The first sheaf had risen—not from the soil, but from the grave. The command, “Do not cling to Me,” was not rejection—it was revelation: the old order was passing, and a new covenant priesthood and harvest had begun.

Let us rejoice in the risen Firstfruits—Jesus Christ—who has gone before us, securing the full harvest of glorified sons and daughters.

In Christ,
Shaliach.