Mary Magdalene was born in the seaport town of Magdala on the Sea of Galilee. She is referenced as a notable figure in Christ’s ministry, Crucifixion, and Resurrection.
Mary Magdalene in the Bible
The Bible provides the little we know about Mary Magdalene, from whom Christ cast out seven demons. Mary Magdalene and other wealthy women followed Christ and “provided for them out of their means” (Luke 8:1-3).
According to the Gospel accounts (Matthew 27:55-56; Mark 15:40; Luke 23:49; John 19:25), she and other women followers were present at the crucifixion. They watched where Christ was laid and planned to come to the tomb the following day to perform the ritual for anointing the dead and preparing the body for burial.
In the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, Mary Magdalene and the women with her are instructed by the angel at the tomb to go and proclaim the good news of the resurrection to the disciples. In his Gospel book, Apostle Mark recounts that Mary was the first to see and speak with the risen Christ.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus Himself tells her to go to the Apostles with the gospel. Her meeting with the risen Christ outside His tomb is one of the most touching scenes in the Gospel of St. John:
Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?” Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said, “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 in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). (John 20:15-16)
Scripture References
Mary Magdalene delivered from seven demons; supports Christ's ministry
Luke 8:2-3: "And certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance."
Mary Magdalene present at Christ's crucifixion and burial
Matthew 27:55-61: "And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons. Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock, and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb."
Mary Magdalene first to see the risen Lord
John 20:1-18: "Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she 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 in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"--and that he had said these things to her."
Significance of Mary Magdalene
The Gospel accounts show the reality of Mary Magdalene’s love for Christ and her fidelity to Him during His passion, death, and resurrection. We can be inspired by Mary Magdalene's Story of Redemption as described by the National Shrine:
Mary Magdalene’s story is still one of redemption. When Jesus met her, she was possessed by seven demons – a number which, by some accounts, is thought to signify the completeness of the extent to which they had overtaken her mind. At that point in time, Mary was likely deranged, subject to fits of outburst, exhibiting an untidy, disheveled appearance. However, though her mind was altered, this did not affect her moral condition. Her behavior may have been extremely abnormal, but it was not extremely immoral. Jesus cast out these demons from Mary, restoring her sanity and redeeming her mental state. Following his restoration of her mind, Mary began to accompany Jesus and his followers.
May the life of Mary Magdalene be an encouragement for us all to have faith that the Lord can heal our infirmities and deserves our whole-hearted loyalty.
Photo: ©The Chosen
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