Mary Magdalene

Mary Magdalene was a follower of Jesus, who is mentioned by name in each of the four gospels. She was from the town of Magdala on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee.  She was probably referred to as Mary Magdalene to distinguish her from the other Marys who followed Jesus. 

Little is known about Mary Magdalene before she met Jesus, but she was possessed of seven devils. There is no information about how the demonic spirits affected her, but she may have suffered from depression, anxiety, paranoia, shame, or loneliness as the demons may have caused her to be isolated and alone. She must have experienced extreme suffering. The gospels do not indicate how Jesus came to liberate Mary from the seven devils. We do not know whether she was brought to Him by family members or friends or whether she was in a crowd of followers and managed to come to Jesus’ attention, but when He liberated her from the demons, her life transformed. Mary became dedicated to Jesus.  She was among a group of women who followed Him and His disciples ministering to their needs. It was not the culture or practice of that time for rabbis to allow women to be their disciples, but Jesus encouraged both women and men to follow Him and harken to His message.

These were godly women who followed Jesus, but they did not seem to fall into the category of what is known about most women of Mary Magdalene’s time who were married, had children and were responsible for maintaining their homes and nurturing their children, although one of the women Joanna was said to be the wife of Chuz, who was Herod’s steward.  There is no mention in the gospels of Mary Magdalene being married.  The women evidently had independent means by which they ‘…provided Jesus of their substance.’ (Luke 8:3).  The fact that Mary Magdalene’s name is always mentioned first when referring to these women who ministered to Jesus is an indication that she may have been a leader among the women.

Mary Magdalen’s devotion to Jesus was remarkable.  She continued to be a faithful disciple to Jesus. Even when the Pharisees opposed Him and others forsook Him, she continued to follow Jesus.  According to the gospels of Matthew, Mark and John Mary Magdalen was with Jesus at His crucifixion. Also, there were Jesus’ mother Mary, Salome the mother of the disciples James and John, and Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses.  Seeing Jesus’ suffering, having to listen to his tormentors curse Him, and watching her savior die must have been an excruciating ordeal. But Mary Magdalene stayed until the end. She never left Jesus.

Mary Magdalene followed Joseph of Arimathea and Jesus’ other secret followers to the tomb where the men prepared His body for burial. The next day she returned to the tomb to wash and anoint Jesus’ body. Motivated by her love for Him she wanted to give Him in death, the care and attention He deserved.  Simon Peter and another disciple came to the tomb earlier that morning but left.  When Mary got to the tomb with the other Mary and Salome, they found that Jesus was gone.  The gospels do not indicate whether Mary Magdalene was aware of Jesus’ message that He would rise from death, but in that moment, she was devastated. But then two angels appeared to Mary Magdalen telling her Jesus had risen and instructing her to “Go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead.” (Matt, 28:7).  Her companions left her frightened but encouraged by the angels’ message, and Mary Magdalene stood outside the tomb alone, disheartened and crying.

In her grief, Mary Magdalene turned.  A man stood there. He asked her why she was crying.  She did not recognize Him, but when He spoke her name, she knew He was Jesus. He told Mary Magdalene to tell His disciples that He had risen and would ascend to His Father.  Mary Magdalene announced to the disciples “I have seen the Lord” (John 20:18). Mary Magdalene was a witness to both crucifixion and His resurrection.

Biblical Principles:

• Before meeting Jesus, Mary Magdalene was possessed of seven devils (Luke 8:2; Mark 16:9).
• She chose to support Jesus’ ministry and ministered to Him out of her love and devotion to Him (Luke 8:1-3).
• She found sisterhood among the other women who followed Jesus (Luke 8:2)
• Most of Jesus’ disciples fled after the His capture on the Mount of Olives, but Mary Magdalene and the other women stayed close to Jesus (John 19:25).
• Mary Magdalene followed Jesus to the cross and stayed there until His death (Matt. 27:56)
• She was the first to see and speak with Jesus after His resurrection (John 20:14).
• Although Mary Magdalene was once possessed of devils, Jesus chose her to deliver His message of resurrection (Mark 16:9; Luke 8: 1-3).
• She was an evangelist (Matt. 20:18).

For Women Today:

In the midst of illness and brokenness it can be hard to remember Jesus loves us, but Mary Magdalene persevered despite the hardships and isolation of demonic possession until she found Jesus.  When she found Him, she never let go. She devoted her life to Him.  She is our example and encouragement to seek Jesus in spite of our troubles and travails, and to live with Him forever.  Those who seek Jesus and then release their relationship with Him to follow their own path forfeit the benefits a life with Him can bring. The disciples were with Christ long before Mary Magdalene began to follow Him. He could have revealed Himself to one of his male disciples immediately after His resurrection. But Mary Magdalene’s devotion and perseverance granted  her the gift of being the first person to speak with Jesus after His resurrection, and she was commissioned to take the news of Jesus’ resurrection to his disciples. When we do not give up on Jesus, He takes us to unimaginable heights in our life.