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Lumen

Mary Magdalene

Also: Mary of Magdala

Freed from seven demons (Luke 8:2), present at the Cross, first to meet the risen Jesus (John 20). Her later identification with the woman of Luke 7 is tradition, not Scripture.

  • Knew Jesus personally
  • Followed Jesus in his public ministry

Awaiting theological review

Who was Mary Magdalene?

A woman from Magdala on the Sea of Galilee whom Jesus freed from seven demons. She followed him with other women who supported his ministry, stood by the Cross, watched where he was buried, and was the first to see him risen and to announce it to the disciples.

The story

  1. Freed from seven demons; follows and supports Jesus

    Luke 8:1–3

  2. Stands by the Cross

    John 19:25

  3. Sees where Jesus is laid

    Mark 15:47

  4. Finds the tomb empty and runs to Peter

    John 20:1–2

  5. Weeping at the tomb, recognises Jesus when he calls her name

    John 20:11–16

    Why did Mary Magdalene not recognise Jesus at first? →

  6. Sent to tell the disciples: she has seen the Lord

    John 20:17–18

  7. Apostle to the apostles

    · Tradition holds

What we know — and how

Scripture tells us

  • Seven demons had gone out of her; she was among the women who provided for Jesus and the Twelve from their means.(Luke 8:1–3)
  • All four Gospels place her at the Crucifixion or the tomb.(Matthew 27:55–61; Mark 15:40–47; Luke 24:10; John 19:25)
  • The risen Jesus appeared to her first and sent her to the disciples.(Mark 16:9; John 20:11–18)

Tradition holds

  • She is called apostle of the apostles; in 2016 her memorial was raised to a feast (22 July).Source: Congregation for Divine Worship, decree of 3 June 2016
  • Pope Gregory the Great identified her with the sinful woman of Luke 7 and with Mary of Bethany. The Gospels do not say this, and the Eastern tradition always kept them distinct.Source: Gregory the Great, homily of 591; Eastern liturgical tradition
  • Legends place her later life in Ephesus (Eastern tradition) or in Provence (medieval Western legend).Source: Legend; historically unverified

Historians debate

  • Magdala is usually identified with a site on the western shore of the lake, where archaeologists have excavated a first-century town and synagogue.

Unknown

  • Her age, family, the nature of her affliction beyond the Gospel's words, and how and where she died.

Virtues

  • Faithfulness
  • Gratitude
  • Love that seeks
  • Courage to stay at the Cross
  • Witness

Why Mary Magdalene matters

Mary Magdalene was there when nearly everyone else had fled, and so she became the first witness of the Resurrection. Her story shows that the one who has been freed much can love much — and be sent.

Related people

  • Joanna — Fellow disciple who also supported Jesus
  • Susanna — Fellow disciple (Luke 8:3)
  • Peter — She ran to tell him of the empty tomb
  • Salome — With her at the Cross and the tomb (Mark 15–16)

Places

Magdala · Galilee · Golgotha · The garden tomb, Jerusalem

Interactive map coming in a later phase.