Who was Mary Magdalene?

Mary Magdalene was a faithful disciple of Jesus who witnessed His Crucifixion, found His tomb empty, and encountered the risen Lord. The Church honors her as the “apostle to the apostles.”

What Scripture says about her. Mary was called Magdalene because she came from Magdala, a town near the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had delivered her from “seven demons” (Lk 8:2). This indicates profound affliction and liberation, but Scripture does not say that she had been a prostitute. Along with other women, she traveled with Jesus and the Twelve and supported His ministry from her resources (Lk 8:1-3).

Her fidelity at the Cross. Mary remained near Jesus during His Crucifixion when many disciples had fled (Jn 19:25). She also witnessed His burial and saw where His body was laid (Mk 15:40-47). Early on the first day of the week, she went to the tomb and found it open. Her presence in all these scenes matters because she could testify that the crucified Jesus, the buried Jesus, and the risen Jesus were the same Lord.

Her meeting with the risen Christ. According to John’s Gospel, Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. She initially mistook Jesus for the gardener, but recognized Him when He called her by name. Jesus then sent her to announce the Resurrection to His brethren. She went to the disciples and declared, “I have seen the Lord” (Jn 20:11-18). Mary Magdalene is therefore among the first witnesses of the empty tomb and the risen Christ (CCC 641). Her traditional title, “apostle to the apostles,” refers to this mission of announcing the Resurrection. It does not mean that she belonged to the Twelve or received apostolic ordination.

What she was not. Mary Magdalene is sometimes identified with the unnamed sinful woman who anointed Jesus’ feet in Luke 7, or with Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. This identification became common in parts of Western Christian tradition, especially after a homily by Pope St. Gregory the Great. Scripture itself does not make those identifications, and the Church’s current liturgical texts treat Mary Magdalene distinctly. Claims that she was Jesus’ wife have no basis in Scripture or credible early Christian testimony.

In practice. Mary Magdalene shows what Christ’s grace can do in a life. She received deliverance, followed faithfully, remained close to the Cross, and proclaimed the Resurrection. Ask her prayers when you need healing, perseverance, or courage to speak about Christ. Then imitate her simple testimony through a faithful Christian life: “I have seen the Lord.”