Mary magdalene meets jesus at the tomb

Mary Magdalene is one of the most speculated about people in the New Testament. Even in early Gnostic writings from the second century, wild claims have been made about her that simply are not true.

We do know from Scripture that when Mary Magdalene met Jesus Christ, he cast seven demons out of her (Luke 8:1-3). After that, she became his faithful follower, along with several other women. Mary proved to be more loyal to Jesus than even his own 12 apostles. Instead of hiding after his arrest, she stood near the cross as Jesus died. She also went to the tomb to anoint his body with spices.

Mary Magdalene

  • Known for: Mary Magdalene is one of the most prominent females in the New Testament, appearing in all four Gospels as a devoted follower of Jesus. When Mary met Jesus, he cast out seven demons from her. Mary was also honored as one of the first persons to receive the news of Jesus' resurrection.
  • Bible References: Mary Magdalene is mentioned in the Bible in Matthew 27:56, 61; 28:1; Mark 15:40, 47, 16:1, 9; Luke 8:2, 24:10; and John 19:25, 20:1, 11, 18.
  • Occupation: Unknown
  • Hometown: Mary Magdalene was from Magdala, a town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee.
  • Strengths: Mary Magdalene was loyal and generous. She is listed among women who helped support Jesus' ministry from their own funds (Luke 8:3). Her great faith earned special affection from Jesus.

In movies and books, Mary Magdalene is often portrayed as a prostitute, but nowhere does the Bible make that claim. Dan Brown's 2003 novel The Da Vinci Code invents a scenario in which Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married and had a child. Nothing in the Bible or history supports such a notion.

The heretical Gospel of Mary, often attributed to Mary Magdalene, is a gnostic forgery dating from the second century. Like other gnostic gospels, it uses a famous person's name to try to legitimize its content.

Mary Magdalene has often been confused with Mary of Bethany, who anointed Jesus' feet prior to his death in Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, and John 12:1-8.

When Mary Magdelene Meets Jesus

When Mary Magdalene met Jesus, she was set free from seven demons. From that day forward, her life was forever changed. Mary became a devoted believer and traveled with Jesus and the disciples as they ministered throughout Galilee and Judea.

Out of her own wealth, Mary helped care for Jesus and the needs of his disciples. She was deeply devoted to Jesus and stayed with him at the foot of the cross during his crucifixion when others fled in fear. She and other women bought spices to anoint the body of Jesus and appeared at his tomb in all four Gospels.

Mary Magdalene was honored by Jesus as the first person he appeared to after his resurrection.

Because Mary Magdalene was charged in all four Gospels to be the first to share the good news of  Christ's resurrection, she is often called the first evangelist. She is mentioned more often than any other woman in the New Testament.

Mary Magdalene is the subject of much controversy, legend, and misconception. There is no evidence to back up claims that she was a reformed prostitute, the wife of Jesus, and the mother of his child.

Life Lessons From Mary Magdalene

Being a follower of Jesus Christ will result in hard times. Mary stood by Jesus as he suffered and died on the cross, saw him buried, and came to the empty tomb on the third morning. When Mary told the apostles Jesus had risen, none of them believed her. Yet she never wavered. Mary Magdalene knew what she knew. As Christians, we too will be the target of ridicule and distrust, but we must hold onto the truth. Jesus is worth it.

Key Verses

Luke 8:1–3
Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples. (NLT)

John 19:25
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. (NIV)

Mark 15:47
Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid. (NIV)

John 20:16-18
Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means "Teacher"). Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" 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. (NIV)

Did Mary Magdalene see Jesus at the tomb?

She was present at the tomb, the first person to whom Jesus appeared after his resurrection and the first to preach the “Good News” of that miracle. These are among the few specific assertions made about Mary Magdalene in the Gospels.

What did Mary Magdalene see at the place where Jesus's tomb?

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

What did Jesus first say to Mary Magdalene?

17 Jesus saith to her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended unto the Father: but go unto my brethren, and say to them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and my God and your God. 18 Mary Magdalene cometh and telleth the disciples, I have seen the Lord; and that he had said these things unto her.

Did Mary Magdalene see Jesus after resurrection?

But both Bond and Taylor point to the Bible itself for further evidence of Mary Magdalene's intimate understanding of Jesus. She remains at the cross during the crucifixion while the other disciples hide, and she's the first to see Jesus following the Resurrection.