John 20:15 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

She, supposing him to be the gardener, &c.— It is very probable that Jesus might speak low, or in a different way from what he usually did; and Mary's taking him for the gardener, seems to intimate, that there was nothing very splendid in his dress. Accordingly, when he appeared to the two disciples in their way to Emmaus, they seem to have taken him for a person of a rank not much superior to their own. Her eyes might also be withheld at first from knowing Jesus, as theirs were, Luke 24:16. It is observable, that Mary accosts this stranger in respectful language, even when she took him for a servant; for the word κηπουρος cannot with propriety signify the owner of the garden. She prudently reflected that an error on that hand would be more excusable than on the other; supposing he should have proved one of superior rank in a plain dress. It is also observable, that she does not name Jesus, but speaks in indefinite terms, If thou hast borne him hence; intimating, that he was the one person of whom her own thoughts and heart were so full, that she took it for granted every one must know whom she meant. Such language in such circumstances was perfectly natural.