Mary Magdalene
The absence of women among the 12 disciples has bothered a few people. But it is clear that there were many women among Jesus’ followers. It is also clear that Jesus did not treat women as others in his culture did; he treated them with dignity, as people with worth.

Mary of Magdala was an early follower of Jesus who certainly deserves to be called a disciple. An energetic, impulsive, caring woman, she not only traveled with Jesus, but also contributed to the needs of the group. She was present at the Crucifixion and was on her way to anoint Jesus’ body on Sunday morning when she discovered the empty tomb. Mary was the first to see Jesus after his resurrection.

Mary Magdalene is a heartwarming example of thankful living. Her life was miraculously freed by Jesus when he drove seven demons out of her. In every glimpse we have of her, she was acting out her appreciation for the freedom Christ had given her. That freedom allowed her to stand under Christ’s cross when all the disciples except John were hiding in fear. After Jesus’ death, she intended to give his body every respect. Like the rest of Jesus’ followers, she never expected his bodily resurrection—but she was overjoyed to discover it.

Mary’s faith was not complicated, but it was direct and genuine. She was more eager to believe and obey than to understand everything. Jesus honored her childlike faith by appearing to her first and by entrusting her with the first message of his resurrection.

1- Strengths and accomplishments

- Contributed to the needs of Jesus and his disciples
- One of the few faithful followers present at Jesus’ death on the cross
- First to see the risen Christ

2- Weakness and mistake

- Jesus had to drive seven demons out of her

4- Lessons from her life

- Those who are obedient grow in understanding
- Women are vital to Jesus’ ministry
- Jesus relates to women as he created them—as equal reflectors of God’s image

5- Vital statistics

- Where: Magdala, Jerusalem
- Occupation: We are not told, but she seems to have been wealthy
- Contemporaries: Jesus, the 12 disciples, Mary, Martha, Lazarus, Jesus’ mother Mary

6- Key verse

"It was early on Sunday morning when Jesus rose from the dead, and the first person who saw him was Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons" (Mark 16:9).

Mary Magdalene’s story is told in Matthew 27—28; Mark 15—16; Luke 23—24; and John 19—20. She is also mentioned in Luke 8:2.


Mary Magdalene

First spoken of as one who ministered to the Lord of her substance, to which is added that seven demons had been cast out of her. The two things stand in wonderful contrast; in the one she was completely under the power of Satan, and in the other she was ministering to the Lord Jesus. #Lu 8:2,3. Nothing more is related of Mary until the crucifixion, when she is mentioned by name as being with the other women, gazing at the One she loved on the cross. She waited to see where the body was laid, then rested during the Sabbath, and on Saturday evening she bought spices with which to embalm the Lord’s body, but early the next morning she found the tomb empty. She ran with the news to Peter and John; who came and verified her statement, but went away again to their own home. Mary however could not leave the spot; and looking again into the tomb, she saw two angels there, to whom she lamented the loss of the body. The Lord revealed Himself to her, and comforted her broken heart by speaking her name ‘Mary,’ to which she replied, ‘Rabboni,’ or teacher. He sent her to His disciples with the wonderful message, "I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." This would be as true of her as of them. Her deep love was thus rewarded. #Mt 27:56 Joh 19:25 20:1-18. She is really called ‘Mary of Magdala,’ a town near the Sea of Galilee: her name and her character are not in any way connected with the modern term of ‘Magdalen.’