Kerygma · Tools · Bible figures
Mary Magdalene.
Mary Magdalene — named for her hometown of Magdala in Galilee — is one of Jesus's closest disciples and the first witness of the Resurrection. Luke 8:2 notes Jesus had cast seven demons out of her (the popular conflation of her with the sinful woman in Luke 7 is later tradition, not biblical). She followed Jesus from Galilee, was present at the cross when most disciples fled, watched the burial, and came to the tomb at dawn on the third day. The risen Jesus appeared to her first and sent her to tell the disciples — earning her the patristic title "apostle to the apostles."
Timeline
- Cast out of seven demons by Jesus (Luke 8:2)
- Followed Jesus from Galilee, supporting his ministry
- Present at the crucifixion (John 19)
- First to encounter the risen Christ (John 20)
- Sent to tell the disciples
Key verses
Why Mary Magdalene matters
That all four Gospels record women as the first witnesses of the Resurrection — and that John's Gospel names Mary Magdalene specifically — is striking in a first-century context where women's testimony was often dismissed in court. The historicity of the Resurrection accounts is sometimes argued from this very detail: no one inventing a story to convince first-century readers would have made women the lead witnesses. Mary is the prototype Christian witness: she has met the risen Lord and is sent to tell others.
Related tools
Read the life, then test what stayed.
Kerygma's trivia rounds cover Mary Magdalene alongside the other Bible figures in its narrative context. Free for seven days.
Start your free trial →Available on iPhone & iPad. Subscription is $3.99/month or $29.99/year.