Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:1–3; Matthew 28:1–10; Mark 15:40–41; Mark 15:47; Mark 16:1–8; Luke 24:10; John 19:25; John 20:1–18)

Seen at the Cross and the Tomb

A woman called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, who followed Jesus and ministered to him, was among the women at the cross, saw where he was laid, came to the tomb on the first day of the week, and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord.

Mary Magdalene is first named among “certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary that was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out” (Luke 8:2). They went about with Jesus and the twelve and “ministered unto them of their substance” (Luke 8:3).

The Gospel of Mark names her among the women beholding from afar when Jesus was crucified, who “when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him” (Mark 15:40–41). The Gospel of John places her among those “standing by the cross of Jesus” (John 19:25). She and Mary the mother of Joses “beheld where he was laid” (Mark 15:47).

On the first day of the week she came to the tomb (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1–2; John 20:1). In the Gospel of John she stood weeping at the tomb (John 20:11); when Jesus said her name, she answered in Hebrew, “Rabboni” (John 20:16). Then “Mary Magdalene cometh and telleth the disciples, I have seen the Lord” (John 20:18).

The text does not identify her with the sinful woman of Luke 7:36–50 or with Mary of Bethany; some have identified them, and others hold them to be different women.

Strengths

• Devoted following
• Ministering of her substance
• Steadfastness
• Faithful witness

Weaknesses

• Fear at the tomb

Themes

• Healing
• Discipleship
• Faithful presence
• Witness to the resurrection

Seven demons gone out (Luke 8:1–3)

Mary, called Magdalene, is among the women healed who go about with Jesus and the twelve and minister to them of their substance.

Beholding from afar (Mark 15:40–41; John 19:25)

At the crucifixion Mary Magdalene is among the women who had followed Jesus in Galilee and ministered to him; the Gospel of John places her by the cross.

Where he was laid (Mark 15:47)

Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses see where Jesus is laid.

At the tomb on the first day (Matthew 28:1–10; Mark 16:1–8; John 20:1–2; Luke 24:10)

Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb; the accounts describe the stone rolled back, a young man or an angel, and the women's fear.

At the tomb on the first day

In the Gospel of Matthew, at dawn on the first day of the week, “came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre” (Matthew 28:1). The angel said to the women, “Fear not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus, who hath been crucified. He is not here; for he is risen” (Matthew 28:5–6). They “departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy” (Matthew 28:8).

The Gospel of Mark names Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, who “bought spices, that they might come and anoint him” (Mark 16:1). Of them it says, “they went out, and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them: and they said nothing to any one; for they were afraid” (Mark 16:8).

In the Gospel of John, Mary Magdalene comes early, “while it was yet dark” (John 20:1), and sees the stone taken away (John 20:1). She runs to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and says, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we know not where they have laid him” (John 20:2). The Gospel of Luke names her among those who told these things to the apostles (Luke 24:10).

Jesus speaks her name (John 20:11–18)

Weeping at the tomb, Mary supposes Jesus to be the gardener until he says her name, then tells the disciples what she has seen.

Jesus speaks her name

“But Mary was standing without at the tomb weeping” (John 20:11). Two angels asked why she wept (John 20:13), and she answered, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him” (John 20:13).

“She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou hast borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away” (John 20:15). “Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turneth herself, and saith unto him in Hebrew, Rabboni; which is to say, Teacher” (John 20:16).

Jesus sent her with a word for his brethren: “go unto my brethren, and say to them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and my God and your God” (John 20:17). “Mary Magdalene cometh and telleth the disciples, I have seen the Lord; and that he had said these things unto her” (John 20:18).

Jesus (Luke 8:1–3; John 20:11–18)

Healed of seven demons; followed and ministered to him; he spoke her name at the tomb.

Joanna and Susanna (Luke 8:1–3; Luke 24:10)

Women healed and traveling with Jesus, named with her; Joanna is named with her again among those who told the apostles.

Mary the mother of James and Joses (Mark 15:40; Mark 15:47; Mark 16:1)

Named with her at the cross, at the burial and at the tomb.

Simon Peter (John 20:1–2)

She ran to him and to the other disciple saying the Lord had been taken away out of the tomb.

Major sections

• Luke 8:1–3
• John 20:1–18

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