<p>In this verse from <em>John 20:17, Jesus</em> is speaking to <em>Mary Magdalene</em> after His resurrection.</p>
<p><strong>What does it mean, &ldquo;I have not yet ascended to the Father&rdquo;?</strong></p>
<p>Jesus asks Mary not to touch Him or hold on to Him because He was about to ascend to heaven to meet His Father. The word <em>&ldquo;yet&rdquo;</em> suggests that the time of His ascension was very near.</p>
<p><strong>Jesus calls His followers &ldquo;brothers&rdquo;</strong></p>
<p>Jesus calls his followers <em>&ldquo;brothers,&rdquo;</em> not disciples or followers. However, Jesus uses this term to refer to a relationship of spiritual kinship, indicating the close relationship He had with those who believed in Him.</p>
<p><strong>A personal relationship with God</strong></p>
<p>In this statement, Jesus also emphasizes the personal relationship He has with God and the personal relationship believers can have with God. He does not say, <em>&ldquo;Our Father and our God,&rdquo;</em> but <em>&ldquo;My Father and your Father, My God and your God.&rdquo;</em></p>
<p>By this Jesus means that since His death and resurrection, believers have direct access to a relationship with God as their Father and their God.</p>