Article Tools
- Text Size
- Add a comment (
- Print this article
- Email this article
Mary is identified in relation to her native village, Magdala, located near the Sea of Galilee, rather than in relation to a man such as her father, husband, or son, as is the case with many women who appear in the gospels and was the custom of the times. This way of identifying her suggests that she was a single woman following Jesus out of her own conviction.
Mark and Luke (compare Mark 16:9 and Luke 8:2) say that Jesus had expelled seven demons out of Mary. Her experience of being shown mercy and healing by Jesus is probably the basis for her single-minded commitment to him. Mary Magdalene is said to be present at the cross and at the burial, and is the first witness-messenger of the resurrection. No further description of her appears in the New Testament.
Mary Magdalene appears in all four of the gospels, and when mentioned, always appears first in a list of women followers of Jesus, except in John 19:25 where Jesus’ own mother is identified first among those women at the foot of the cross.
Although Mark and Luke note that Jesus healed her, there is no biblical connection between Mary of Magdala and the sinful woman said to have…
The full article is available to subscribers only
Access all articles, daily meditations and readings, as well as special resources, by becoming a subscriber. View subscription options.
Special Offer: 2 week free web-only trial subscription. Sign up now.
Existing Print & Web-Only Subscribers: Login for full access.