Mary Magdalene is a prominent figure in the New Testament, known for her close association with Jesus Christ and her significant role in His ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection. Her name, "Magdalene," likely indicates her origin from the town of Magdala, located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Biblical References and Role in Jesus' Ministry

Mary Magdalene is first introduced in the Gospel of Luke, where she is described as one of the women who had been healed by Jesus. Luke 8:2-3 states, "And also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means." This passage highlights her deliverance from demonic possession and her subsequent dedication to supporting Jesus' ministry.

Mary Magdalene's presence among the women who followed Jesus underscores her commitment and faithfulness. She, along with other women, provided for Jesus and His disciples, demonstrating her devotion and service.

Witness to the Crucifixion and Burial

Mary Magdalene's loyalty to Jesus is further evidenced by her presence at His crucifixion. According to the Gospel of John, she stood near the cross with Jesus' mother and other women. John 19:25 records, "Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother and her sister, as well as Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene." Her presence at this pivotal moment in Christian history signifies her unwavering support and love for Jesus.

After Jesus' death, Mary Magdalene also witnessed His burial. Matthew 27:61 notes, "Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb." Her role as a witness to these events is crucial, as it establishes her as a key figure in the narrative of Jesus' death and resurrection.

First Witness to the Resurrection

Mary Magdalene's most significant contribution to the Gospel accounts is her role as the first witness to the resurrection of Jesus. All four Gospels highlight her encounter with the risen Christ. In John 20:11-18 , Mary Magdalene is depicted weeping outside the empty tomb when Jesus appears to her. Jesus addresses her by name, and she recognizes Him, exclaiming, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus then instructs her to go to His disciples and announce His resurrection, making her the first to proclaim the Good News.

This encounter emphasizes the importance of Mary Magdalene in the early Christian community. Her testimony is foundational to the Christian faith, as it confirms the reality of the resurrection.

Misconceptions and Legacy

Throughout history, Mary Magdalene has often been mischaracterized as a repentant prostitute, a portrayal not supported by the biblical text. This misconception likely arose from conflating her with other women in the Gospels. The Bible, however, presents her as a devoted follower of Jesus, healed from demonic possession, and a key witness to His resurrection.

Mary Magdalene's legacy is one of faithfulness, devotion, and courage. Her role as the first to witness and proclaim the resurrection underscores her significance in the Christian tradition. Her account continues to inspire believers to live lives of dedication and service to Christ.Luke 8:2
And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,
Topicalbible.org

Mark 16:1
And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
Topicalbible.org

John 20:1
The first day of the week comes Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, to the sepulcher, and sees the stone taken away from the sepulcher.
Topicalbible.org

Mark 15:47
And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.
Topicalbible.org

John 20:16
Jesus said to her, Mary. She turned herself, and said to him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
Topicalbible.org

John 20:11-18
But Mary stood without at the sepulcher weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulcher,
Topicalbible.org

Mary Magdalene

Different explanations have been given of this name; but the most natural is that she came from the town of Magdala. She appears before us for the first time in (Luke 8:2) among the women who "ministered unto him of their substance." All appear to have occupied a position of comparative wealth. With all the chief motive was that of gratitude for their deliverance from "evil spirits and infirmities." Of Mary it is said specially that "seven devils went out of her," and the number indicates a possession of more than ordinary malignity. She was present during the closing hours of the agony on the cross. (John 19:25) She remained by the cross till all was over, and waited till the body was taken down and placed in the garden sepulchre of Joseph of Arimathaea, (Matthew 27:61; Mark 15:47; Luke 23:55) when she, with Salome and Mary the mother of James, "bought sweet spices that they might come and anoint" the body. (Mark 16:1) The next morning accordingly. in the earliest dawn, (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2) they came with Mary the mother of James to the sepulchre. Mary Magdalene had been to the tomb and had found it empty, and had seen the "vision of angels." (Matthew 28:5; Mark 16:6) To her first of all Jesus appeared after his resurrection. (John 20:14,15) Mary Magdalene has become the type of a class of repentant sinners; but there is no authority for identifying her with the "sinner" who anointed the feet of Jesus in (Luke 7:36-50) neither is there any authority for the supposition that Mary Magdalene is the same as the sister of Lazarus. Neither of these theories has the slightest foundation in fact.

S. Mary Magdalene
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CXXIX S. MARY MAGDALENE. Dear, beauteous
Saint! more white than Day When in his naked, pure array; ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cxxix s mary magdalene.htm

On the Feast of St Mary Magdalene
... THE INNER WAY SERMON XV On the Feast of St Mary Magdalene. A most precious
Sermon and thoughtful Exhortation, which covers the whole ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xv on the feast.htm

'First to Mary'
... 'FIRST TO MARY'. '... He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom
He had cast seven devils.'"Mark xvl..9. A great pile of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/first to mary.htm

Of the Women who were Standing There, and of the Question Whether ...
... Matthew proceeds thus: "And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed
Jesus from Galilee: among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter xxi of the women who.htm

How the Appointment was Kept.
... Mary Magdalene is in the lead, so far ahead of the others as to be alone.
They ... Him. The tryst has been kept with Mary Magdalene. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/how the appointment was kept.htm

Love and Life.
... but, while John took the mother of Jesus to a place of rest and safety, his own
mother, Salome, and Mary, the mother of James, and Mary Magdalene stood looking ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xliv love and life.htm

First and Second Appearances of the Risen Christ. The Resurrection ...
... made haste.] ^c 9 and returned from the tomb, ^b 9 Now when he was risen early on
the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxv first and second appearances.htm

Angels Announce the Resurrection to Certain Women. Peter and John ...
... the week, { ^a as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week,} ^c at early
dawn, ^d while it was yet dark, cometh { ^a came} ^d Mary Magdalene early ^a ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxiv angels announce the resurrection.htm

And While they Marvelled at That, Behold, Two Men Standing Above ...
... [25] [3733] And on the First-day on which he rose, he appeared first unto
Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section liii and while they.htm

Further Journeying About Galilee.
... them of their substance. [As to the vile slanders with which commentators
have stained the good name of Mary Magdalene, see p.291. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlvii further journeying about galilee.htm

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