Noli me tangere facts for kids

Noli Me Tangere by Hans Holbein the Younger

Noli me tangere, a fresco by Fra Angelico

Noli me tangere by Jan Brueghel the Younger

Noli me tangere is a famous Latin phrase. It means "Don't touch me." This phrase comes from the Bible, specifically from the Gospel of John (chapter 20, verse 17). It's what Jesus says to Mary Magdalene after he has risen from the dead.

In the original Greek language, the phrase is Mḗ mou háptou. This can also mean "stop holding on to me" or "stop clinging to me." This moment is very important in Christian belief. It has inspired many artists and painters throughout history.

The Story of Noli Me Tangere

This special moment happened after Jesus's resurrection. Mary Magdalene went to the tomb where Jesus had been buried. She was very sad and crying because the tomb was empty.

Mary at the Tomb

Mary looked inside the tomb. She saw two angels dressed in white. They were sitting where Jesus's body had been. One angel was at the head, and the other was at the feet.

The angels asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?" Mary answered them, "They have taken my Lord, and I don't know where they put him."

Meeting Jesus

After she said this, Mary turned around. She saw someone standing there. She didn't realize it was Jesus at first. She thought he might be the gardener.

Jesus asked her, "Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?" Mary, still thinking he was the gardener, said, "Sir, if you took him, please tell me where you put him. I will go and get him."

The Recognition

Then, Jesus simply said her name: "Mary." When she heard her name, Mary immediately knew it was Jesus. She turned to him and said, "Rabboni!" This word means "Teacher" or "Master."

Jesus's Words

It was at this moment that Jesus said, "Noli me tangere." He explained that he had not yet gone up to his Father in heaven. He then told Mary to go to his followers. He wanted her to tell them, "I am going up to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God."

Mary Magdalene then went to the disciples. She told them that she had seen the Lord and shared what he had told her. This event is a key part of the Easter story.

Images for kids

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  Noli me Tangere by Antonio da Correggio, c. 1525

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  Engraving by Martin Schongauer, 15th century

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  Noli me tangere fresco by Fra Angelico

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  Noli me tangere by Martin Schongauer

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  Noli Me Tangere, by Fra Bartolomeo c. 1506

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  Noli me tangere by Titian c. 1511–1515

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  Noli me Tangere by Hans Holbein the Younger, 1524.

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  Appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene after resurrection, Alexander Ivanov, 1835

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  Touch Me Not (Noli me tangere) by James Tissot

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  Mary of Magdala at the empty tomb, window at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church. Attributed to the Quaker City Glass Company of Philadelphia, 1912

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  According to Christian tradition, the Noli me tangere took place in what is now the Chapel of John the Baptist adjacent to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem

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  Hortus Conclusus triptych, Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp

See also

In Spanish: Noli me tangere para niños