11 Mary Magdalene was standing outside at the tomb weeping. So, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb, 12 and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 They told her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”

She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have laid him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, and didn’t know that it was Jesus.

15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?”

She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned and said to him, “Rabboni!” which is to say, “Teacher!”

17 Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold me, for I haven’t yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brothers, and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her.

John 20:1-18 - World English Bible

In John 20, the evangelist presented the two signs for the Easter experience: the empty tomb and the appearance of the Risen Lord. He also highlighted the first witness to the event: Mary Magdalene. Mary cried as part of the grieving process and out of shock. Her mourning was culturally expected, but she did not find what she expected to see. Instead of a body she would finish preparing for burial (remember she could not finish the rites due to the hasty entombment of Jesus), she found the tomb empty. So, she was asked twice, "Why are you weeping?" Notice, however, the question did not inquiry about her sadness, but about her inappropriate behavior. She shouldn't be weeping but rejoicing. The Lord rose from the dead! But, she did not understand. To each question she responded with a search for the body.

After seeing the empty tomb, Mary encountered the Risen Lord. This was one of the only times he addressed a woman by name. The meeting implied a close relationship the evangelist addressed throughout his gospel. Yet, she responded with respect, calling him, "Rabboni" (which means "Great Teacher"). She found whom she sought (20:15b); now, she was given a mission: don't hold onto the Lord; instead, spread the Good News about him.

When we encounter the Lord, do we want to hold onto him, or tell others about him?