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Atomic Bible
John 20:13
“Woman, why are you weeping?” they asked.
from Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene, John 20:10-18
What it says

The angels ask why she is weeping, drawing attention to her sorrow at the empty tomb there before them.

What it is doing

The question draws her grief into view and leaves the reason unspoken for the moment.

In context

10Then the disciples returned to their homes. 11But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent down to look into the tomb, 12and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13“Woman, why are you weeping?” they asked. 14When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. But she did not recognize that it was Jesus. 15“Woman, why are you weeping?” Jesus asked. “Whom are you seeking?” 16Jesus said to her, “Mary.” 17“Do not cling to Me,” Jesus said, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and tell My brothers, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’” 18Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what He had said to her.