What does the Bible actually say about Mary Magdalene?

It says Jesus cast seven demons out of her (Luke 8:2), that she supported his ministry, that she was present at the crucifixion, and that she was the first to see and speak with the risen Jesus (John 20:16; Mark 16:9). It never mentions prostitution in connection with her.

Where did the prostitute idea come from?

It is commonly traced to a homily by Pope Gregory the Great around 591 AD, which merged Mary Magdalene with the sinful woman of Luke 7 and with Mary of Bethany. The Bible keeps these as separate people, so the identification is a later interpretive tradition rather than a scriptural claim.

Was Mary Magdalene the woman caught in adultery?

No. That account appears in John 8 and never names the woman. The Bible gives no basis for identifying her as Mary Magdalene. Connecting them is another example of merging distinct passages into a single character, which the text itself does not do.

Does the Bible say it?

Does the Bible say Mary Magdalene was a prostitute?

Common misconception. The Bible never says Mary Magdalene was a prostitute. Luke 8:2 names her as a follower from whom Jesus cast out seven demons, and John 20:16 and Mark 16:9 present her as the first witness of the resurrection. The prostitute association came from a later conflation of separate women, commonly traced to a homily by Pope Gregory the Great around 591 AD.

VerdictCommon misconception

What it actually is

Scripture introduces Mary Magdalene as a woman Jesus healed of seven demons (Luke 8:2) and lists her among those who supported his ministry. She is present at the crucifixion and is the first to encounter the risen Jesus (John 20:16; Mark 16:9). The label of prostitute is commonly traced to a homily by Pope Gregory the Great, c. 591, which blended Mary Magdalene with the unnamed sinful woman of Luke 7 and with Mary of Bethany, three distinct figures in the text.

Reading these women as one person is an interpretation added on top of Scripture, not something the Gospels state. The Roman Catholic Church revised its liturgical calendar in 1969 to separate the figures again. The Bible's own portrait of Mary Magdalene is of a healed and faithful disciple entrusted with the first news of the resurrection.

What the Bible actually says

Here is how the Gospels actually describe Mary Magdalene.

“And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,”

Luke 8:2

“Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.”

John 20:16

“Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.”

Mark 16:9

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A better question than the quote

Behind every “is this in the Bible?” is a gentler one: what does the Bible actually say, and who is the Jesus at the center of it? You do not have to take our word for it, ours least of all. Read his own words and see for yourself. It costs nothing but a little quiet and an honest look.

Meet Jesus His words and acts Read the Gospel of John

Jesus Christ is Lord.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible actually say about Mary Magdalene?: It says Jesus cast seven demons out of her (Luke 8:2), that she supported his ministry, that she was present at the crucifixion, and that she was the first to see and speak with the risen Jesus (John 20:16; Mark 16:9). It never mentions prostitution in connection with her.
Where did the prostitute idea come from?: It is commonly traced to a homily by Pope Gregory the Great around 591 AD, which merged Mary Magdalene with the sinful woman of Luke 7 and with Mary of Bethany. The Bible keeps these as separate people, so the identification is a later interpretive tradition rather than a scriptural claim.
Was Mary Magdalene the woman caught in adultery?: No. That account appears in John 8 and never names the woman. The Bible gives no basis for identifying her as Mary Magdalene. Connecting them is another example of merging distinct passages into a single character, which the text itself does not do.

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