Mary Magdalene

Following

In Galilee Jesus “went about through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of God’s Kingdom. With him were the twelve” (Luke 8:1), “and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out” (Luke 8:2); “and Joanna, the wife of Chuzas, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others who served them from their possessions” (Luke 8:3). These things are in Lesson 1.

The Cross and the Tomb

On the day Jesus was crucified, Matthew’s Gospel records: “Many women were there watching from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, serving him” (Matt 27:55). “Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee” (Matt 27:56). Joseph of Arimathaea laid the body of Jesus in his own new tomb; “Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb” (Matt 27:61).

Mark’s Gospel records that the women were “watching from afar” (Mark 15:40), and that “Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses, saw where he was laid” (Mark 15:47). These things are in Lesson 1.

Luke’s Gospel records: “All his acquaintances and the women who followed with him from Galilee stood at a distance, watching these things” (Luke 23:49); “The women who had come with him out of Galilee followed after, and saw the tomb and how his body was laid” (Luke 23:55).

John’s Gospel records: “But standing by Jesus’ cross were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene” (John 19:25). This is in Mary (Mother of Jesus), Lesson 4.

The First Day of the Week

Matthew’s Gospel records: “Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb” (Matt 28:1). The angel said to the women: “He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said” (Matt 28:6). “They departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word” (Matt 28:8).

Mark’s Gospel records: “When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint him” (Mark 16:1). The young man in the tomb said to them: “He has risen! He is not here” (Mark 16:6). “They went out, and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had come on them. They said nothing to anyone; for they were afraid” (Mark 16:8).

Luke’s Gospel records that the two men said to the women: “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He isn’t here, but is risen” (Luke 24:5-6); “They remembered his words” (Luke 24:8). “Now they were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. The other women with them told these things to the apostles” (Luke 24:10); “These words seemed to them to be nonsense, and they didn’t believe them” (Luke 24:11).

John’s Gospel records: “Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went early, while it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb” (John 20:1); she ran to tell Peter and the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and these things are in Lesson 2. She stood outside the tomb weeping, and Jesus called her by name; “Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her” (John 20:18). These things are in Lesson 3.

After this, the New Testament does not name her again.