Noli Me Tangere takes place towards the end of the Spanish colonization of the Philippines. It deals with the corruption that had worked its way into the church and governing authorities over the centuries. The title, Latin for “touch me not,” is a reference to the passage in the Gospel of John, where the resurrected Jesus tells Mary Magdalene not to cling to him. It also refers to types of cancer sores that are very painful and irritated by touch, serving as a metaphor for the state of Philippine society that Rizal perceived.

Crisóstomo Ibarra returns from Europe after years of study, shortly after the death of his father. He plans to marry his childhood sweetheart, María Clara, and to open a school in his hometown. Crisóstomo is a hopeful idealist, believing that the Filipinos can improve their situation if given a proper education. But a friend warns him that he will make enemies by undertaking such a project—and in fact, he already has enemies. Soon past secrets emerge, and Crisóstomo must deal with unnamed forces working against him.

Together with its sequel, El Filibusterismo , Noli Me Tangere indirectly influenced Philippine revolutionary sentiment to such an extent that Rizal was exiled and subsequently executed by the Spanish government. Both novels were long banned in the Philippines, but today are required reading for students, with Rizal considered a national hero.