What is Mary Magdalene known for?
BREAKDOWN
Mary Magdalene is primarily known as one of the most prominent female disciples of Jesus Christ, distinguished by her unwavering devotion and her pivotal role in the events surrounding his crucifixion and resurrection. Her identity is first introduced in Luke 8:2, where she is mentioned among several women who had been healed by Jesus and were supporting his ministry financially. Specifically, she is noted as the one "from whom seven demons had gone out." This healing event signifies a profound transformation in her life, leading to her steadfast loyalty. Unlike other Marys in the Gospels, she is consistently identified as 'Magdalene,' likely indicating her origin from Magdala, a fishing town on the Sea of Galilee. She stands out because she remained with Jesus through his final, most challenging hours. She was present at the foot of the cross during his crucifixion, an act of courageous fidelity when many male disciples had fled, as recorded in Matthew 27:55-56, Mark 15:40, and John 19:25. Her most significant role, however, comes after Jesus' death. Mary Magdalene was among the women who went to the tomb on the first day of the week to anoint Jesus’ body. She was the first person to witness the empty tomb, and then, most crucially, she was the first to encounter the resurrected Christ himself. John 20:1-18 vividly describes this encounter, where Jesus commissions her to go and tell his disciples that he was ascending to his Father. This made her the first messenger of the resurrection, earning her the historical title 'apostle to the apostles' among some Christian traditions. Her testimony, initially met with disbelief by the male disciples (Mark 16:11), was foundational to the early Christian message. Her story highlights themes of radical transformation, loyal discipleship, and the breaking of social barriers, as a woman was chosen to proclaim the central truth of the Christian faith.
KEY TERMS
seven demons
A severe spiritual affliction from which Jesus healed Mary Magdalene, signifying a complete deliverance.
crucifixion
The method of execution Jesus endured, at which Mary Magdalene was present, demonstrating her unwavering loyalty.
first witness
Mary Magdalene's distinguished role as the first person to encounter the resurrected Jesus and to proclaim this news to others.
apostle to the apostles
A traditional title given to Mary Magdalene in some Christian traditions due to her commission by Jesus to announce his resurrection to the male disciples.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Luke 8:2
and certain women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out;
Matthew 27:55-56
Many women were there watching from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, serving him. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Mark 15:40
There were also women watching from afar, among whom were both Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome.
John 19:25
But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
Matthew 28:1-10
Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. Behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky, and came and rolled away the stone from the door, and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him, the guards shook, and became as dead men. The angel answered the women, “Don’t be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, just as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead, and behold, he goes before you into Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.” They went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word. As they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “All hail!” They came and took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go into Galilee, and there they will see me.”
Mark 16:1-11
When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint him. Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. They were saying among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; for it was very large. Entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were amazed. He said to them, “Don’t be amazed. You seek Jesus, the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen. He is not here. Behold, the place where they laid him! But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he goes before you into Galilee. There you will see him, as he said to you.” They went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had come on them. They said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Now when he had risen early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. They, when they heard that he was alive, and had been seen by her, disbelieved.
Luke 24:1-12
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. They entered in, and didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. It happened, while they were greatly perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling clothing. As they were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He isn’t here, but has risen. Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” They remembered his words, and returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles. These words seemed to them to be idle talk, and they didn’t believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves, and he went away to his home, wondering what had happened.
John 20:1-18
Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went early, when it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw the stone taken away from the tomb. Therefore she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have laid him!” Therefore Peter and the other disciple went out, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran together. The other disciple outran Peter, and came to the tomb first. Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, yet he didn’t enter in. Simon Peter therefore came following him, and entered into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying, and the cloth that was on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. So the other disciple who came first to the tomb also entered in, and he saw and believed. For as yet they didn’t know the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. So the disciples went away again to their own homes. But Mary was standing outside at the tomb weeping. As she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. They told her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, and didn’t know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?” She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned herself, and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” which means, “Teacher.” Jesus said to her, “Don’t touch me, for I haven’t 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.’” Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her.
INTERLINEAR ANALYSIS
ORIGINAL LANGUAGE ANALYSIS
Μαγδαληνή
Magdalene
DefinitionOf Magdala, a town likely located on the Sea of Galilee, possibly meaning 'tower' or 'fortress' in Aramaic/Hebrew.
δαιμόνια
demons
DefinitionEvil spirits, devils, or supernatural beings hostile to God and humanity.
μάρτυς
witness
DefinitionA witness, one who testifies or gives evidence; later, one who suffers death for their testimony (martyr).
ἀπόστολος
apostle
DefinitionOne sent forth, a messenger, an envoy.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
First-century Judea and Galilee was a patriarchal society where women generally held a subordinate status, particularly in public life and legal testimony. While women were significant within the domestic sphere and religious observance, their public voice was often limited. The healing of Mary Magdalene from 'seven demons' would have been a profoundly transformative experience, as demon possession was understood as a severe spiritual and physical affliction, often leading to social ostracization. Her subsequent role as a follower and financial supporter of Jesus' ministry was not entirely unique, as Luke 8:1-3 mentions other women doing likewise. However, her presence at the crucifixion defied typical social expectations of women avoiding such public, gruesome spectacles, indicating exceptional loyalty. Most remarkably, her being the first witness to the resurrection and commissioned to announce it to the male apostles profoundly challenged cultural norms, as the testimony of women was often not considered legally admissible or highly credible in Jewish courts of the time. This highlights Jesus' counter-cultural approach and the divine validation of her witness.
THEOLOGICAL INSIGHT
Mary Magdalene's narrative offers profound theological insights into God's redemptive grace and the nature of discipleship. Her healing from seven demons underscores the transformative power of Jesus, demonstrating that no past condition or spiritual bondage is beyond His reach. Her presence at the cross exemplifies loyal, unreserved love and courage, contrasting with the fear-driven desertion of many male disciples. Most significantly, her role as the first witness to the resurrection, and her subsequent commission to announce this news to the apostles, powerfully refutes any notion of gender-based exclusion from proclaiming God's truth. It reveals God's economy often elevates the marginalized and unexpected, making her a prototype of the evangelist and a testament to the inclusive nature of the Kingdom. Her experience underlines that devotion and faith, not social standing or gender, are paramount in God's eyes for being entrusted with the most crucial message.
COMMENTARY SYNTHESIS
Augustine of Hippo (Christian (Early Church Father))
Augustine highlights Mary Magdalene's ardent love and zeal, stating that her intense affection for Christ made her worthy to be the first to see Him risen. He emphasizes her as the first messenger of the resurrection, making her a model of fervent faith and evangelism.
John Calvin (Christian (Reformation))
Calvin observes that Christ chose to appear first to women, and specifically to Mary Magdalene, to confound human pride and to demonstrate that His grace is not bound by human conventions. He notes that her initial unbelief regarding the empty tomb quickly turned to profound faith upon encountering the Risen Lord.
Matthew Henry (Christian (Puritan/English Nonconformist))
Henry praises Mary Magdalene's constancy and courage, noting that she, with other women, 'tarried by the cross' and was the first to visit the tomb. He sees her being the first witness as a divine honor bestowed upon her devotion, a token of Christ's regard for humble, faithful service.
Rashi (Jewish)
While Rashi does not comment directly on New Testament figures, his general commentary on the Torah emphasizes the importance of legitimate testimony. In a broader Jewish context, the testimony of women was often viewed with skepticism in legal settings. Mary Magdalene's pivotal role as the primary witness to the resurrection, therefore, stands in stark contrast to such societal norms, highlighting a revolutionary aspect of Jesus' ministry regarding women's roles and credibility.
Origen (Christian (Early Church Father))
Origen, like Augustine, saw Mary Magdalene's devotion as exceptional, explaining that her persistent search for Jesus and her tears at the tomb were a testament to her great love, making her worthy to be the first recipient of the resurrection appearance.