In brief
Mary Magdalene, from the town of Magdala, is a disciple of Jesus whom he freed from seven demons. She follows him in Galilee and supports him with her own means, then stands near the cross. On Easter morning she weeps at the empty tomb, until the risen Jesus calls her by name. She is then sent to tell the disciples that she has seen the Lord. She is remembered as a grateful woman, faithful to the end, chosen to carry the first news of the resurrection.
What does the name Mary Magdalene mean?
Mary is the Hebrew name Miriam, whose meaning is debated. “Magdalene” points to her origin: the name of the town is generally linked to the Hebrew migdal, “tower.” The Bible does not elaborate on these names. It presents her as “Mary who was called Magdalene” (Luke 8:2).
The story of Mary Magdalene
Set Free and a Faithful Disciple
Luke 8:1-3Jesus travels through cities and villages, proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God. With the twelve, he is accompanied by women healed of evil spirits and sickness. Among them are Mary, who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, along with Joanna and Susanna. They support him from their own resources: their gratitude becomes concrete service.
Near the Cross
John 19:25While Jesus is crucified, several women stand near his cross: his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When the disciples have fled, she stays present through the darkest moment. The biblical text says nothing about what she is thinking. It only shows her faithfulness.
At the Tomb on Easter Morning
John 20:1-2, 11-13On the first day of the week, Mary comes to the tomb and finds it open. She tells Peter and the other disciple, who come to see and then go back home. She stays outside and weeps. As she stoops down, she sees two angels who ask her why she is weeping. She answers that they have taken away her Lord and she does not know where they have laid him.
Called by Name
John 20:14-18Mary turns around and sees Jesus standing there, but she does not know it is him. He asks her why she is weeping and whom she is looking for. She thinks she is talking to the gardener, then he calls her by name and she recognizes him. Jesus sends her to his brothers. She goes to tell the disciples that she has seen the Lord and reports what he said to her.
What Mary Magdalene teaches us
- Gratitude is the engine of a disciple’s life: the woman who was set free follows Jesus and serves him with what she has.
- Stay faithful when everything seems lost: Mary stayed near the cross and came back to the tomb while fear scattered the others.
- The Lord knows each person by name and comes to find those who seek him, even when they weep without understanding.
- Meeting the risen Lord becomes a sending: we do not keep the news to ourselves, we go and tell others.
Key verses
Mary, who was called Magdalene, is one of the women healed by Jesus, and seven demons had gone out of her. This verse presents her first as a freed disciple, who then accompanies and supports him.
“But Mary was standing outside at the tomb weeping.” The text shows her sincere grief: she was still looking for the body of Jesus, not knowing that he was alive.
The angels ask her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She answers that her Lord has been taken away. Her attachment to Jesus is very clear, but she has not yet understood the resurrection.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Jesus appear first to Mary Magdalene?
The Bible gives no explicit reason. It only shows that Mary was first to come to the tomb, that she stayed there weeping and that Jesus called her by name. He then sent her to announce his resurrection to the disciples (John 20:11-18).
What does the name Mary Magdalene mean?
Mary is a form of the Hebrew name Miriam, whose exact meaning is debated. Magdalene comes from Magdala, her hometown, whose name is generally linked to the Hebrew migdal, “tower.” The Bible presents her as “Mary who was called Magdalene” in Luke 8:2.
Where can I find Mary Magdalene’s story in the Bible?
She is mentioned in Luke 8:1-3, at the foot of the cross in John 19:25, then at the tomb on the morning of the resurrection in John 20:1-18. The other Gospels also list her among the women present at the cross and the tomb. The text does not identify her with any other woman.