Mary Magdalene
She stayed at the cross, came to the tomb in the dark, and was the first to see the risen Jesus.
New Testament · 1st century · Matthew, Mark, Luke, John · Also known as Mary of Magdala
About Mary Magdalene
Mary of Magdala was one of the women Jesus healed: Luke says seven demons had gone out of her. She travelled with Jesus and the Twelve and helped support them from her own means. She stood near the cross, watched where he was buried, and came to the tomb early on the first day of the week. Weeping in the garden, she heard her name, "Mary," and recognised Jesus. He sent her to tell the disciples, and she "told the disciples that she had seen the Lord."
Magdala was a town on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. A later Western tradition merged Mary Magdalene with other women in the Gospels and described her as a repentant prostitute. Scripture never says that, and today many churches and scholars recognise it as a mistake.
The story
Seven devils
As Jesus travelled from town to town, the Twelve were with him, "and certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils," with Joanna, Susanna and many others, "which ministered unto him of their substance."
Luke 8:1-3
Early, while it was yet dark
"The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away." She ran to Peter and the other disciple: "They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him."
John 20:1-2
Mary
She stood weeping outside the tomb. Someone asked why she was weeping; she thought he was the gardener. "Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master."
John 20:11-17
I have seen the Lord
Jesus sent her to his brothers. "Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her."
John 20:17-18
Key moments
- Healed by Jesus: Seven devils went out of her. (Luke 8:2)
- Supports his ministry: "Of their substance." (Luke 8:3)
- Stands by the cross: With Jesus’ mother. (John 19:25)
- Finds the stone rolled away: Early, while it was dark. (John 20:1)
- First to see the risen Jesus: She "had seen the Lord." (John 20:18)
Questions about Mary Magdalene
In meetBible these answers are given in Mary Magdalene’s voice. They are written by hand and checked against Scripture.
Why didn’t you recognise Jesus at first?
I was weeping, and when I turned I saw Jesus standing there "and knew not that it was Jesus." I thought he was the gardener, and asked where he had laid the body. Scripture doesn’t explain why I didn’t know him. It records the moment I did: when he said my name, "Mary."
What did Jesus send you to say?
He told me, "Go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." So I went and told the disciples "that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her." Luke records that at first the apostles did not believe the women’s news.
Connected people
- Jesus: Her teacher and Lord
- Mary: Stood together at the cross
- Peter: She ran to tell him
- John: "The other disciple"
Read it yourself
Start with John 20.