Noli me tangere
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- A separate article treats the novel, Noli Me Tangere, by Jose Rizal.
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Noli me Tangere by Hans Holbein the Younger
Noli me tangere is the Latin version of the words spoken, according to the Gospel of John, by Jesus to Mary Magdalen, meaning "Do not touch me" (the quotation appears in John 20:17). The words were a popular trope in Gregorian chant, and the moment in which they were spoken was a popular subject for paintings.
Its modern English meaning is Do not disturb/interfere. It has been argued that the Greek original is better represented by a translation of cease from holding on to me, signifying that Jesus is saying that although he is risen he has not returned in the same form that he left and that he will soon ascend, but presaging the sending of the Spirit.
See John 20:16 for a discussion of the preceding verse