Bible Figure
Mary Magdalene
follower of Jesus (-100)
Mary Magdalene was a devoted follower of Jesus who had been delivered from seven demons. She accompanied Jesus during His Galilean ministry and helped support Him and His disciples. All four Gospels place her among the women associated with Jesus' crucifixion, burial, or empty tomb, and John records her personal encounter with the risen Christ. Jesus commissioned her to announce His resurrection to the disciples. Scripture does not identify Mary Magdalene as the unnamed sinful woman of Luke 7 or as Mary of Bethany, although these women were sometimes identified with one another in later Christian tradition. Her biblical portrait is that of a faithful disciple and important witness to the resurrection.
Biography
Mary Magdalene, meaning Mary from Magdala, appears in the Gospels as one of the women who followed Jesus. Luke states that seven demons had gone out from her and includes her among women who accompanied Jesus and the Twelve and supported the ministry from their own resources.
Mary becomes especially prominent in the Passion and resurrection narratives. The Gospel accounts place her among the women who witnessed Jesus' crucifixion, observed His burial, and went to the tomb after the Sabbath. Her continued presence through these events distinguishes her as one of Jesus' most faithful followers at the moment when many others had scattered.
John gives the most detailed account of Mary at the empty tomb. She discovered that the stone had been removed and reported this to Peter and the disciple whom Jesus loved. After they departed, Mary remained outside the tomb weeping. She encountered the risen Jesus but initially mistook Him for the gardener. When Jesus called her by name, she recognized Him. He then sent her to His disciples with the announcement of His resurrection and coming ascension.
Later Christian tradition sometimes merged Mary Magdalene with the unnamed sinful woman who anointed Jesus in Luke 7 and with Mary of Bethany. The New Testament does not make either identification. Nor does Scripture describe Mary Magdalene as a prostitute. For an AVWJ account, it is therefore preferable to preserve the distinctions made by the biblical text and identify later associations as tradition rather than biblical fact.
Biblical Significance
Mary Magdalene is significant as a recipient of Jesus' deliverance, a faithful disciple, and one of the principal witnesses surrounding His death and resurrection. Her presence at the crucifixion and tomb provides continuity between Jesus' death, burial, empty tomb, and resurrection appearances. John's Gospel gives her the remarkable responsibility of carrying the news of the risen Christ to the disciples. Her story also illustrates the importance of distinguishing Scripture from later tradition: the biblical Mary Magdalene is not identified as a prostitute or as Mary of Bethany. Her enduring significance rests securely on what the Gospels do say - she followed Christ, remained near Him in His suffering, and testified that He had risen.