Mary Magdalene

Christ and Mary Magdalene by Albert Edelfelt, 1890: Mary Magdalene was the first witness to the resurrection of Jesus.

Mary Magdalene was a woman from Magdala, a village near Galilee, and a devoted disciple and servant of Jesus. Her journey with Him began after He drove seven demons out of her. Mary was present at Jesus’ crucifixion and was the first to witness His resurrection, announcing it to His disciples. After Mary, the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene is the most frequently mentioned woman in the New Testament.

Origin of Name

The village of Magdala located on the west side of the Sea of Galilee (image source: NASA-JSC)

Magdala, a town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, was one of the four major cities along the coast. It was also known as Magadan or Dalmanutha.

At that time, the name Mary was very common in Judea, so Mary Magdalene was likely identified by her birthplace to distinguish her from the many other women named Mary who followed Jesus.

. . . and also some women, who had been cured of evil spirits and disease: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out;

Luke 8:2

Works of Mary Magdalene

The works of Mary Magdalene recorded in the four Gospels in the New Testament are as follows:

• Jesus freed her from seven demons.
• After being freed, she helped Jesus’ gospel ministry with her own means.
• She was present at Jesus’ crucifixion.
• Joseph of Arimathea asked a Roman soldier for Jesus’ body, and Mary was there when He was laid in the tomb.
• Early on Sunday morning, the day after the Sabbath following the crucifixion, she went to the tomb with the perfumes but found it empty.
• At the tomb, she encountered an angel who told her that Jesus had been resurrected and would meet Him in Galilee.
• Mary Magdalene was the first to see the resurrected Jesus and shared the news with the apostles.

See also

• Mary
• Mary (Mother of Jesus)
• Mary (Woman Who Poured Perfume)
• Resurrection of Jesus