Who was Mary Magdalene in the Bible and what was her role in the life of Christ?

Among the women of the Bible, few have garnered as much attention and curiosity from both Christians and non-Christians alike as Mary Magdalene. We have only one reference to her life before she followed Jesus. As Luke 8:1-3 states, when Jesus cast out seven (or possibly more) demons from her, Mary Magdalene was completely transformed and followed Jesus until the end of his ministry.

Mary Magdalene was a devoted companion of Jesus Christ who supported him during his mission and was present at his crucifixion. Her prominent position in Christian history is further elevated by the fact that, according to all four Gospels, she was the first to witness the resurrection of Jesus. In this article, we will explore the true identity of one of Jesus’ most distinguished disciples during his mission, while dispelling common misconceptions and myths that have formed around her over the centuries.

What does the Bible say about Mary Magdalene?

We have only a brief reference to Mary Magdalene’s life before she joined Jesus. As Luke 8:1-3 mentions, when Jesus cast out seven demons (or perhaps more) from her, she was utterly transformed and accompanied him until the end of his mission.

Here are some other points we know about her:

• Mary Magdalene, along with several other women, supported Jesus and his disciples financially (Luke 8:1-3).
• She witnessed Jesus’ death and was the first to see him after his resurrection (John 20:11-18).
• She was likely waiting for the descent of the Holy Spirit after Jesus’ ascension (Acts 1:14).
• There are no clearer details about her from the Bible.

Further Reading: Who is Joseph the Carpenter and what role did he play in Jesus’ life and the Bible?

The Story of Mary Magdalene

Mary Magdalene was one of the prominent followers of Jesus Christ whose life changed dramatically after meeting him. According to the narratives, she was initially possessed by seven demons, from which Jesus freed her. This profound experience turned her into one of Jesus’ most faithful followers, accompanying him in his travels and ministries.

Mary Magdalene’s loyalty and dedication were clearly seen during Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. When many of Jesus’ disciples deserted him, she remained steadfast and witnessed his crucifixion. She was also present at his burial and was the first to discover the empty tomb on Easter morning. This made her the first person to witness the resurrected Christ, earning her the title “Apostle to the Apostles” as she shared the news of his resurrection with others.

Misconceptions about Mary Magdalene

Western Christianity has assigned roles to Mary Magdalene that seem to misalign with her true historical character. Western art and modern media have mistakenly portrayed her as a prostitute and even the wife of Jesus. Let’s take a closer look at these false stereotypes.

1. Mary Magdalene was Jesus’ wife.

Some have suggested that Mary and Jesus were lovers or married. Some point to an unreliable document, the so-called “Gospel of Jesus’ Wife,” as evidence.

Mary Magdalene did not marry Jesus. Given that Jesus remained celibate throughout his ministry, such a notion is not only impossible but also irrelevant since he ascended to heaven after his resurrection.

Furthermore, God does not marry humans. Apart from this, if the Nephilim mentioned in Genesis 6:1-4 were indeed fallen angels who had children with humans, God witnessed the evil that resulted from these unions. One theory about the Nephilim is that one reason for the great flood was to cleanse the unnatural offspring resulting from the union between heavenly beings and humans.

2. Mary Magdalene was a prostitute.

Based on biblical accounts, Mary Magdalene was likely not a prostitute. Some associate her with the woman who washed Jesus’ feet (Luke 7:36-50), but no scripture directly connects the two.

Some also claim she was the woman caught in adultery, but again, the Bible does not name this woman (John 8:1-11).

Why do some Christians believe Mary Magdalene was a prostitute?

If there is no direct evidence in the Bible linking her to this role, where does this notion of prostitution come from?

In the sixth century, Pope Gregory I definitively declared that the sinful woman mentioned in Luke 7:36-50 was Mary Magdalene. He even claimed that Mary Magdalene and Mary of Bethany were the same person. The Eastern Orthodox Church never linked Mary Magdalene’s identity with the sinful woman in Luke 7.

Mary Ann Beavis, a professor at Baylor University, explained to the university’s Center for Christian Ethics:

“Although Gregory did not explicitly call her a prostitute, he interpreted the ‘seven demons’ cast out of her as a reference to a collection of sins and claimed that the ointment used to anoint Jesus’ feet had previously been used to perfume her body for seduction.

After this, the legend of Mary Magdalene as the sister of Martha and Lazarus, a beautiful, self-indulgent, and lustful woman who converted to Jesus through penance, dominated Western (Catholic) Christianity. However, the Eastern Church (Orthodox) continued to regard Mary Magdalene and Mary of Bethany as separate saints, and neither was identified with the sinful woman of Luke’s Gospel.”

Although the Western Church has tried to correct past misconceptions about Mary Magdalene since the late 20th century, some misunderstandings still persist, especially in popular culture.

The Significance of Mary Magdalene’s Story

1. Emphasis on Jesus’ Celibacy: It is important to clarify that Jesus never had a wife. God never engages in sexual relations with his creations. This is abhorrent to him. We must completely reject any association between Mary Magdalene and being Jesus’ wife.
2. Historical Accuracy: We must ensure that the historical facts of everything mentioned in the Bible, even if seemingly insignificant, are accurately understood. Those who do not believe in this faith may seek historical inaccuracies in the Bible to question its validity. If we have an incorrect depiction of even a minor detail, they will use it as evidence against the Bible’s inerrancy.
3. Mary Magdalene’s Prominent Role: Mary is an influential figure in the New Testament, being the first to witness the resurrection. Given the interest in her from both Christians and non-Christians, we must ensure her story is accurately told.

Overall, we can learn from Mary’s life that she lived far from God until she encountered Jesus. This encounter fundamentally changed her life. She went from being under the control of seven or more demons to participating in Jesus’ ministry and witnessing the greatest miracle in history.