Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene is a figure in the New Testament who is identified as a follower of Jesus from Magdala and as one of the women present at his crucifixion, burial, and empty tomb.
Mary Magdalene is a figure in the New Testament who is identified as a follower of Jesus from Magdala and as one of the women present at his crucifixion, burial, and empty tomb. In Christian tradition, she is especially known as the first person to see the resurrected Jesus and is often called the "Apostle to the Apostles."
Biblical accounts
Mary Magdalene appears in the canonical Gospels as a woman from Magdala who followed Jesus and was present at key events in the Passion and Resurrection narratives. The texts consistently associate her with the empty tomb and the first resurrection appearance.
Christian tradition
In later Western Christian tradition, Mary Magdalene was often identified with the repentant sinner in Luke 7, though this conflation is not required by the biblical texts. Over time, Christian devotion emphasized her role as the first witness to the resurrection.
Historical interpretation
Modern scholarship generally treats Mary Magdalene as an important early disciple whose exact biography is limited by the surviving sources. Extra-canonical texts such as the Gospel of Mary contributed to later discussions about her role in early Christianity.
Veneration
Mary Magdalene is recognised as a saint in the Catholic Church and has a feast day on July 22. She is also a notable figure in art, liturgy, and wider Christian memory.
Key facts
- The canonical Gospels identify Mary Magdalene as a follower of Jesus.
- She appears as a witness to the crucifixion, burial, and discovery of the empty tomb.
- According to the Gospel accounts, she was the first person to see the risen Jesus.
- Later Christian tradition sometimes conflated her with other unnamed women or sinners, but this identification is not found in the New Testament accounts.
- She is honoured in many Christian traditions as a saint and as the "Apostle to the Apostles."
Mary Magdalene is widely referenced in Canadian Christian communities, church calendars, art, and academic study of the Bible and early Christianity.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Mary Magdalene?
Was Mary Magdalene the first person to see the resurrected Jesus?
Is Mary Magdalene the same person as the repentant sinner in Luke 7?
Why is she called the "Apostle to the Apostles"?
Is Mary Magdalene a saint?
References
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Mary-MagdaleneSupports: Mary Magdalene as a disciple of Jesus, witness to the Crucifixion and Resurrection, feast day July 22.
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_MagdaleneSupports: Overview of Mary Magdalene, including traditional conflation with the sinner in Luke 7 and the title "Apostle to the Apostles".
- National Geographic — https://www.nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/who-was-mary-magdaleneSupports: Canonical Gospel basis for Mary Magdalene as part of Jesus's circle and a visitor to the tomb.
- Smithsonian Magazine — https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/who-was-mary-magdalene-119565482/Supports: Mary Magdalene as present at the tomb and first witness to the resurrection in John.
- CBE International — https://www.cbeinternational.org/resource/frequently-asked-questions-about-mary-magdalene/Supports: Mary Magdalene in all four Gospels and the early Christian title "apostle of the apostles."