Chapter 29

Mary Magdalene was an exceptional and influential follower of Christ. Unfortunately, like many women during her time, she received very little recognition and credit for her unwavering devotion and profound dedication. To make it more difficult, she was often misrepresented. She was a witness to some of the most significant events in Christianity. She was the first individual to whom Jesus revealed Himself after His resurrection, although she did not recognize Him. Her name appears 12 times in the Gospels, surpassing most of the apostles.

“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.” John 20:14-15.

Mary Magdalene’s home is not specified in the Bible, but it is believed to be Magdala, also known as Migdal in Aramaic, a fishing town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee.

“Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out” Luke 8:1-2.

Mary lived a humble and quiet life, and was engaged to Joseph, who worked as a carpenter. Her life underwent a profound transformation when God sent an angel to announce to her that she had been selected to have a son, Jesus, who was destined to be the Messiah.

^“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God^. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, dried the feet of Jesus with her hair as a sign of humility.

“Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” John 12:1-3.

“These things therefore the soldiers did. But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.” John 19:25.

“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.”” John 20:11–15.

^“But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came unto the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.” Luke 24:1-3.

Mary Magdalene is one of only 3 women to have witnessed all the three events of the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (by discovery of the empty tomb). The other two were Mary, the mother of James and Joseph; and Salome. All three had visited the tomb early in the morning after the Sabbath to anoint the body of Jesus. They found the tomb to be empty, and an angel gave them the news that Jesus had risen. The Salome mentioned here differs from the one who, prompted by her mother Herodias, requested the head of John the Baptist.

“And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, they come to the tomb when the sun was risen. And they were saying among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the tomb? and looking up, they see that the stone is rolled back: for it was exceeding great. And entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, arrayed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he saith unto them, Be not amazed: ye seek Jesus, the Nazarene, who hath been crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold, the place where they laid him!” Mark 16:1-6.

Mary Magdalene is honored as a Saint by various Christian denominations including the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. Both traditions celebrate the feast of Saint Mary Magdalene every July 22nd. She is seen as a symbol of hope.