This paper examines the life of Mary Magdalene and her steadfast devotion to Jesus until the end. It also considers the importance of emulating her as an example. Born in Magdala, a city named after its watchtower, Mary was given the surname Magdalene as an identifier, according to The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible.
According to the Zondervan Handbook to the Bible (2009), Mary being referred to as Mary Magdalene suggests that she was not married, as married women were usually identified by their husband’s name. Mary, who lived in Magdala, traveled approximately 10 miles to see Jesus in Capernum. She suffered from seven demons, a number frequently linked with wholeness or totality. During Mary’s era, possessing demons was commonly viewed as impure or a sign of having an unclean spirit.
The people of Magdala shunned Mary because she had possessions, causing her to embark on a journey alone to meet Jesus in Capernaum. The map provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints website offers a visualization of the Holy Land mentioned in the New Testament. Following her deliverance from demonic possession, Mary began traveling alongside Jesus, his disciples, and others who were involved in his mission.
In Luke 8:2-3, Mary Magdalene is introduced as one of the women who had been healed from evil spirits and diseases. It specifically mentions that she had been freed from seven demons. Alongside Mary, there were other women like Joanna (the wife of Cuza, manager of Herod’s household) and Susanna, among many others. These women used their own resources to support Jesus and his followers. Furthermore, Mary Magdalene played a significant role as one of the primary witnesses to important events in Jesus’ life. She led a group of notable women who followed Jesus and was present for crucial moments such as his ministry in Galilee and Judea.
The crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus were significant events in our time. In the past, it was groundbreaking for a woman to be a primary witness. During that era, a woman’s testimony held less weight than a man’s, both personally and in court. This is emphasized in Matthew 18:16 which states the requirement for multiple witnesses to establish truth. The Christian narratives featuring Mary Magdalene and other women as the first witnesses of the Resurrection highlight the status of women within our Christian faith. It shows that gender, color, or ethnicity are irrelevant; we are all equal in God’s eyes. This can be seen as an early account concerning women’s rights. However, over time confusion arose with Mary Magdalene being erroneously portrayed as a reformed prostitute in literature and art due to her mistaken identity with the woman mentioned in Luke 7:36-50 who possessed an alabaster jar.
The woman with the alabaster jar, commonly known as a sinner, should not be automatically categorized as a prostitute. Nonetheless, her hometown of Magdala had a reputation linked to prostitution. You can find images of Mary Magdalene by clicking on this link. The mention of prostitution is present in Ezekiel 23:3, where it describes women who engaged in prostitution from an early age and experienced fondling of their breasts and caressing of their virgin bosoms while in Egypt. For more details, you can read further through this link. According to the Zondervan Handbook to the Bible (2009), Mary is depicted as being released from seven demons that were most likely connected to a mental disorder or severe illness believed to be caused by demons during that time period. It is crucial to acknowledge that Mary has traditionally been portrayed as a sinful woman.
The misconception that Mary Magdalene was promiscuous, as depicted in medieval legends and many modern novels, stems from the belief that women possessed by demons were inherently promiscuous (Chilton, 2005, p. 10). The story of Mary can be divided into four parts: I. Mary’s role as a disciple of Jesus. According to Luke 8:1-3, she was a woman who had seven demons cast out by Jesus and then led a group of women who provided financial support to Jesus and his followers. Fueled by her faith in Jesus, Mary faithfully followed him wherever he went. II. Mary’s presence during the crucifixion is mentioned in Mark 15:40-41, Luke 23:43, Matthew 27:55-56, and John 19:25 across all four gospels; she either stood at a distance with other women or near the cross.
According to Matthew 26:56, while Jesus was being executed, all the male disciples fled in fear for their lives. However, the women were courageous and stayed close to the soldiers carrying out the brutal act. It is important to note that this does not mean that the men were more cowardly than the women; rather, it indicates that it was less risky for women to be present because they were seen as less threatening by the Romans.
In Luke 23:55-56 and Matthew 27:61, it is mentioned that Mary took care of Jesus’s body for burial. Mary witnessed Joseph of Arimathea sealing Jesus’s body inside a tomb.
According to Mark 16:1-11, Luke 24:1-11, Matthew 28:1-10, and John 20:1-18, Mary Magdalene personally witnessed the customary task of preparing Jesus’ body for burial. This act confirmed his death and was traditionally carried out by Jewish women as a final act of care for their loved ones. However, upon discovering that the stone had been rolled away, Mary found that Jesus’ body was missing. It was at this moment when an angel delivered a message to her, thus making her the first person to see Jesus after his resurrection.
Mary, the first witness to the resurrection and a symbol of unwavering faith, must have felt incredibly excited when she realized she was talking to her risen Savior. All four gospels acknowledge Mary’s constant presence with Jesus during His journey, showing the type of relationship God wants with us – one that never wavers. Mary selflessly sacrificed everything to follow Jesus and lead others in His ministry. Her unfaltering dedication to her beliefs inspired her to take risks in order to preach God’s Word. As Christians, shouldn’t we strive to imitate this level of devotion?
It is important to maintain our faith in God’s Word, particularly during difficult times. Although we may not fully comprehend until God returns, it is vital to trust His divine plan. There are different theories about what happened to Mary Magdalene after Jesus’ resurrection, but I choose to believe the biblical version. As Christians, let us imitate Mary’s example by sharing the Gospel with others even when faced with opposition.
