Verses used by Arians against the divinity of Christ, Part 2
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains the verse where Jesus said to Mary Magdalene after His resurrection: “Do not touch Me, for I have not 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” (John 20:17).
🔹 Theological Meaning:
Pope Shenouda clarifies that Jesus spoke these words according to His human nature, not His divinity. The divine nature neither ascends nor descends, as it is omnipresent; the ascension happened through His glorified body.
🔹 Meaning of “My brothers”:
The phrase “My brothers” appears in three senses:
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All humanity, since Christ shared our human nature.
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His relatives, like His cousins.
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The disciples and believers, who became His brothers through faith and love.
🔹 Difference between “My Father and your Father” / “My God and your God”:
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“My Father” refers to His divine sonship by essence and nature.
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“Your Father” refers to our adoption through faith and love.
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“My God” refers to His complete humanity, which relates to the Father as God.
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“Your God” means the Creator and sustainer of all.
This reveals the unity of Christ’s divine and human natures, distinct yet united in one Person.
🔹 Faith of Mary vs. Faith of Thomas:
Pope Shenouda points out the difference: Mary called Him “Rabboni” (Teacher), showing an incomplete faith in His divinity, while Thomas declared “My Lord and my God,” expressing full belief in Christ as the incarnate God.
🔹 Spiritual Message:
The verse teaches that Christ is the God Incarnate, uniting divinity and humanity, and that our relationship with Him is built on faith, love, and adoption, not on physical understanding.
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