Bible Characters
Mary Magdalene in the Bible: Follower of Jesus and First Witness of the Resurrection
Mary Magdalene in the Bible was a woman from the town of Magdala whom Jesus freed from seven demons and who then followed Him and supported His ministry (Luke 8:1-3). She stood near the cross, watched His burial, and was the first person to see Jesus after He rose from the dead (Mark 16:9; John 20:11-18). All four Gospels name her at the crucifixion or the empty tomb.
Popular tradition has attached other stories to her, including the claim that she was a prostitute. The Bible never says this. This profile covers what Scripture records and identifies later tradition as tradition.
Mary Magdalene Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Name meaning | Mary is the Greek form of Miriam; "Magdalene" identifies her hometown, Magdala |
| Testament | New Testament |
| Key books | Matthew 27-28, Mark 15-16, Luke 8 and 23-24, John 19-20 |
| Time period | First century AD, during the ministry of Jesus (about AD 27-30, traditional dating) |
| Hometown | Magdala, on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee |
| Known for | Being freed from seven demons and being the first witness of the risen Jesus |
Who Was Mary Magdalene?
The New Testament mentions several women named Mary, including Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary of Bethany (the sister of Martha and Lazarus), and Mary the mother of James and Joseph. The Gospel writers distinguish Mary Magdalene from the others by her hometown.
Magdala was a fishing town on the Sea of Galilee. The Bible gives no details about Mary's family, age or marital status. It introduces her by what Jesus did for her and by what she did afterward.
Freed From Seven Demons
Luke describes Jesus traveling through towns and villages proclaiming the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with Him, along with several women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases (Luke 8:1-2). Luke names Mary Magdalene first and says seven demons had come out of her (Luke 8:2). Mark gives the same detail (Mark 16:9).
The text does not describe the deliverance itself or say when it happened. Demon possession in the Gospels is presented as spiritual bondage, not as a moral label. Nothing in these verses connects Mary's condition with sexual sin.
Supporting Jesus' Ministry
Luke adds that Mary Magdalene, Joanna the wife of Chuza (Herod's household manager), Susanna and many others were helping to support Jesus and the disciples out of their own means (Luke 8:3). This indicates Mary had resources of her own and used them to provide for the traveling group.
Matthew and Mark note that these women had followed Jesus from Galilee and cared for His needs (Matthew 27:55-56; Mark 15:40-41).
At the Cross and the Tomb
When Jesus was crucified, Mary Magdalene was among the women watching. Matthew and Mark say they watched from a distance (Matthew 27:55-56; Mark 15:40). John places her near the cross with Mary the mother of Jesus and Mary the wife of Clopas (John 19:25).
After Joseph of Arimathea placed Jesus' body in the tomb, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary sat opposite it (Matthew 27:61). Mark says they saw where He was laid (Mark 15:47). Luke adds that the women then went home and prepared spices and perfumes, and rested on the Sabbath (Luke 23:55-56).
The First Witness of the Resurrection
Early on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb. The Synoptic Gospels describe her going with other women, bringing spices (Mark 16:1-2; Luke 24:1, 24:10). John focuses on Mary and says she came while it was still dark and found the stone removed (John 20:1).
She ran to Peter and the other disciple and told them the Lord had been taken from the tomb (John 20:2). The two men ran to the tomb, saw the strips of linen, and went back home (John 20:3-10).
"I Have Seen the Lord"
Mary stayed outside the tomb crying. She saw two angels in white, and then turned and saw Jesus, though she did not recognize Him. Thinking He was the gardener, she asked where the body had been taken (John 20:11-15). Jesus said her name, and she recognized Him and called Him "Rabboni," meaning Teacher (John 20:16).
Jesus told her not to hold on to Him, because He had not yet ascended to the Father, and sent her to tell His brothers (John 20:17). John records what she did next:
"Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: 'I have seen the Lord!' And she told them that he had said these things to her." (John 20:18, NIV)
Mark states directly that Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene after He rose (Mark 16:9). Matthew records Jesus meeting Mary Magdalene and the other Mary as they hurried from the tomb (Matthew 28:1, 28:9-10). According to Luke, when the women reported what they had seen, the apostles did not believe them at first (Luke 24:10-11).
What the Bible Does Not Say About Mary Magdalene
Several popular ideas about Mary Magdalene come from later tradition, not from Scripture.
- She was a prostitute. The Bible never says this. The idea became widespread after a sermon by Pope Gregory I in AD 591 that identified her with the unnamed sinful woman of Luke 7:36-50 and with Mary of Bethany. Luke introduces Mary Magdalene in the next chapter as a separate person (Luke 8:2), and the Roman Catholic Church revised its liturgical treatment of her in 1969.
- She was Mary of Bethany. The Gospels present Mary of Bethany as the sister of Martha and Lazarus (John 11:1-2) and Mary Magdalene as a woman from Magdala. Nothing in the text identifies them as the same person.
- She was married to Jesus. No biblical text says or implies this. The claim draws on non-canonical writings such as the Gospel of Philip and the Gospel of Mary, which were written later and are not part of the Bible.
Lessons From Mary Magdalene's Life
- Jesus delivers people from bondage. Mary's story begins with her release from seven demons (Luke 8:2).
- Gratitude shows up in practical service. She supported Jesus' ministry from her own means (Luke 8:3).
- She stayed when others fled. The disciples scattered at Jesus' arrest (Mark 14:50), while Mary watched the crucifixion and the burial (Mark 15:40, 15:47).
- The resurrection has named witnesses. Mary saw the empty tomb and the risen Jesus, and reported it to the disciples (John 20:18).
Where Mary Magdalene Appears in the Bible
- Matthew 27:56, 27:61; 28:1-10: At the cross, at the burial, and meeting the risen Jesus
- Mark 15:40, 15:47; 16:1-11: At the cross, at the burial, at the tomb, and the first appearance
- Luke 8:1-3: Freed from seven demons and supporting Jesus' ministry
- Luke 24:10: Reporting the empty tomb to the apostles
- John 19:25: Standing near the cross
- John 20:1-18: Finding the empty tomb and meeting Jesus
To learn more about others who witnessed the risen Jesus, read who was Peter in the Bible. For another follower who helped with Jesus' burial, see Nicodemus in the Bible. You can also test your knowledge with our Bible trivia questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Mary Magdalene in the Bible?
Mary Magdalene was a woman from Magdala whom Jesus freed from seven demons and who followed and supported His ministry (Luke 8:1-3). She was the first person to see Jesus after His resurrection (Mark 16:9; John 20:14-18).
Was Mary Magdalene a prostitute?
The Bible never says Mary Magdalene was a prostitute. That idea comes from a sixth-century sermon by Pope Gregory I that merged her with the unnamed sinful woman of Luke 7, whom Luke does not name.
How many demons did Jesus cast out of Mary Magdalene?
Luke and Mark both say that seven demons had come out of Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:2; Mark 16:9).
Is Mary Magdalene the same as Mary of Bethany?
The Bible presents them as different people. Mary of Bethany was the sister of Martha and Lazarus (John 11:1-2), while Mary Magdalene was from the town of Magdala in Galilee.
What did Jesus say to Mary Magdalene at the tomb?
Jesus called her by name, told her not to hold on to Him because He had not yet ascended to the Father, and sent her to tell His brothers (John 20:16-17).