Who was Mary Magdalene to Jesus?
BREAKDOWN
Mary Magdalene was a prominent female disciple of Jesus, known for her devotion and her significant role in the pivotal events of his ministry, particularly his crucifixion and resurrection. She is first introduced in Luke 8:2, where it is stated that Jesus had healed her of “seven demons.” This healing marked a profound transformation in her life, leading her to become one of his steadfast followers. She is consistently listed among the women who traveled with Jesus and the twelve apostles, supporting their ministry financially and through service, as indicated in Luke 8:2-3. Unlike some common misidentifications, biblical texts do not associate Mary Magdalene with the unnamed sinful woman who anointed Jesus’ feet in Luke 7, nor do they suggest she was a prostitute. Her identity is solely rooted in her deliverance and subsequent dedication to Christ. Her unwavering loyalty is most evident during Jesus' Passion. While many male disciples fled, Mary Magdalene remained at the foot of the cross, witnessing his crucifixion (Matthew 27:55-56, Mark 15:40-41, John 19:25). She was also present at his burial, observing where he was laid (Matthew 27:61, Mark 15:47). Crucially, she was among the first at the tomb on the resurrection morning, and in John’s Gospel, she is the first individual to encounter the resurrected Jesus himself (John 20:11-18). Jesus entrusted her with the message to his disciples: “Go to my brothers, and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (John 20:17, WEB). This makes her the 'apostle to the apostles,' a primary witness to the central truth of Christianity—the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. Her testimony was foundational to the nascent Christian community.
KEY TERMS
seven demons
A reference to the severe spiritual affliction from which Mary Magdalene was delivered by Jesus, symbolizing profound liberation.
apostle to the apostles
A traditional title given to Mary Magdalene, recognizing her as the first person commissioned by the resurrected Jesus to announce his resurrection to the other disciples.
Magdala
A town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, from which Mary Magdalene is believed to have originated, giving her the surname 'Magdalene'.
resurrection
The central event of Christian faith, referring to Jesus' bodily rising from the dead, to which Mary Magdalene was the first individual witness.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Luke 8:2
and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out;
Luke 8:2-3
and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out; and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward; and Susanna; and many others, who served them from their possessions.
Luke 7
When one of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down at the table. Behold, a woman who was in the city, a sinner, when she knew that he was reclining at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. Standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what kind of woman this is who touches him, that she is a sinner." Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." He said, "Teacher, say on." "A certain moneylender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they couldn't pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?" Simon answered, "He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most." He said to him, "You have judged correctly." Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered into your house, and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but she, from the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet. You didn't anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." Those who sat at the table with him began to say to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."
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 15:40-41
There were also women watching from a distance, among whom were both Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and Joses, and Salome; who, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and served him; and many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.
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 27:61
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.
Mark 15:47
Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Joses, saw where he was laid.
John 20:11-18
But Mary was standing outside at the tomb weeping. As she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb, and she beheld 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 and said to him, “Rabboni!” which is to say, “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.
John 20:17
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.’”
INTERLINEAR ANALYSIS
Interlinear Greek
Luke 8:2ORIGINAL LANGUAGE ANALYSIS
Μαγδαληνή
Magdalene
DefinitionOf Magdala; a surname for Mary
δαιμόνια
demons
DefinitionDemons, evil spirits
ἀπόστολος
apostle
DefinitionOne sent forth, an envoy, messenger
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
The 1st century CE in Galilee and Judea was a period under Roman occupation, but Jewish life and culture maintained significant distinctiveness. Women in Jewish society, while primarily confined to domestic roles, held recognized positions within their families and communities, particularly concerning religious education and practice. However, independent female disciples traveling with a rabbi, as Mary Magdalene did, was less common, though not entirely unprecedented. The concept of 'demon possession' (δαιμόνια - *daimonia*) was widely understood in this era, encompassing various physical and mental ailments attributed to malevolent spiritual forces. Exorcism was practiced by various religious figures. The town of Magdala, located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, was a fishing town known for its wealth, possibly from salted fish production, and later for its rebellious stance against Rome. Its identification as Mary's hometown grounds her in a specific Galilean setting. Burial practices involved washing and anointing the body, then laying it in a tomb, typically hewn from rock. The women's visit to the tomb on the first day of the week, bringing spices, was consistent with these customs, intending to complete the anointing process that was likely rushed due to the Sabbath.
THEOLOGICAL INSIGHT
Mary Magdalene’s narrative profoundly illustrates divine grace and the transformative power of Christ. Her liberation from seven demons underscores Jesus’ authority over spiritual darkness and his compassion for those afflicted. Her unwavering devotion, evident at the crucifixion and burial, highlights faithfulness even in the face of despair and loss. Most significantly, her role as the first witness to the resurrection and the first to be commissioned by the risen Lord to carry the news to the other disciples (John 20:17-18) elevates her to a unique position in salvation history. She embodies the eschatological reversal where the marginalized become central, and her testimony is a foundational pillar of the early Christian kerygma. Her story challenges patriarchal norms within religious leadership by showcasing a woman entrusted with the most crucial message of the Christian faith, demonstrating that spiritual status and witness are based on faith and divine calling, not social standing or gender.
COMMENTARY SYNTHESIS
Augustine of Hippo (Christian)
Augustine frequently highlighted Mary Magdalene's devotion, particularly her persistent search for Jesus at the tomb, seeing her as an exemplar of the soul's yearning for Christ. He emphasized her role as the first evangelist of the resurrection, making her a type of 'apostle to the apostles' and a model for all believers in proclaiming the Good News.
John Calvin (Christian)
Calvin, in his commentaries, often focused on the sovereignty of God and the humility of His chosen instruments. Regarding Mary Magdalene, he stressed the divine election in choosing a woman, once afflicted, to be the first herald of such a momentous event as the resurrection, thus magnifying God's grace and demonstrating that His instruments are chosen not for their worldly status but for His purposes.
Origen (Christian)
Origen, an early Church Father, saw Mary Magdalene's encounter with the resurrected Christ and her subsequent commission as a testament to the spiritual depth and capacity of women in the early Church, implicitly challenging any attempts to diminish their role based on gender.
Midrashic Thought (General) (Jewish)
While there is no specific Midrash on Mary Magdalene, Jewish mystical traditions and Midrashim on figures like Lilith or aspects of *shedim* (demons) often explore the concept of spiritual affliction and the power of divine intervention or righteous acts to overcome malevolent forces. The emphasis would be on the *healing* aspect, signifying a return to wholeness and purity, aligning with the idea of Jesus' power to restore.
Matthew Henry (Christian)
Henry underscores Mary Magdalene's steadfast love and zeal, noting her early arrival at the sepulchre and her deep sorrow at the perceived loss of Jesus. He interprets her being the first to see the risen Lord as a reward for her great devotion and a demonstration that God favors earnest seekers.