Mary Magdalene

Mary Magdalene followed Jesus and supported him and his disciples from her own resources. Luke says seven demons had gone out from her. Joanna, the wife of Herod’s household steward Chuza, Susanna, and other women also supported them. Luke 7 does not name the woman who anointed Jesus, so this profile does not identify her as Mary Magdalene.

Mary Magdalene was present at Jesus’ crucifixion. Matthew and Mark name her among women watching from a distance who had followed and served him from Galilee. John names her among the women standing near the cross.

Mary also watched when Joseph of Arimathea placed Jesus’ body in the tomb. Matthew describes Mary Magdalene and the other Mary sitting opposite it. Mark names Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses as watching where the body was laid. Luke records women from Galilee observing the tomb and the placement of the body, then returning to prepare spices.

In Matthew, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary visit the tomb on the first day after the Sabbath. A great earthquake occurs, an angel rolls away the stone, and the women hear that Jesus has risen. They run to tell the disciples with fear and great joy. Jesus meets them on the way, and they hold his feet and worship. He tells them not to fear and to send his brothers to Galilee.

In Mark, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome buy spices after the Sabbath and go to the tomb. They discuss who will move the large stone, but it has already been rolled away. A young man in white says Jesus has risen and tells them to inform the disciples and Peter that they will see him in Galilee. Mark 16:8 describes the women fleeing in trembling and fear and saying nothing to anyone.

In Luke, women bring spices to the tomb at dawn on the first day after the Sabbath. Finding no body, they are perplexed. Two men in shining clothes tell them Jesus has risen. They return to tell the apostles. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and other women carry the report, but the apostles regard it as nonsense and do not believe.

In John, Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb while it is still dark and sees that the stone has been moved. She runs to Peter and the disciple Jesus loved, saying people have taken the Lord away and she does not know where they have put him. The two disciples inspect the tomb and return home. Mary stands outside weeping.

Looking into the tomb, Mary sees two angels where Jesus’ body had been. They ask why she is crying. She answers that people have taken the Lord away and she does not know where they have put him. Turning, she sees Jesus but does not recognize him, thinking he is the gardener. When Jesus calls her name, she calls him Rabboni, meaning Teacher. Jesus tells her not to hold him, but to tell his brothers that he is ascending to his Father.

Mary Magdalene goes to the disciples and reports that she has seen the Lord. She also tells them what Jesus said to her.