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People of the Bible
Who Was Mary Magdalene?
In short
Mary Magdalene was a devoted follower of Jesus, freed by Him from deep torment. She stood by Him at the cross when most had fled, and came to His tomb while it was still dark.
There she became the first person to see the risen Jesus, the first witness of the resurrection, sent to carry the news to the others.
“Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the LORD, and that he had spoken these things unto her.”
John 20:18 · King James Version (public domain)
Mary Magdalene at a glance
| Name | Mary Magdalene |
|---|---|
| Where to read about them | The Gospels |
| Key passage on this page | John 20:18 |
| Passages linked to that verse | 5 |
| Translation on this page | King James Version (public domain) |
Read it in context
Scripture explains Scripture. These passages are linked to this one most often by readers.
- Luke 24:10
- Matthew 28:10
- Luke 24:22-23
- Mark 16:10-13
- John 20:1
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY.
Questions people ask
Where can I read about Mary Magdalene in the Bible?
Mary Magdalene appears in The Gospels. Start with the key passage on this page, then read the whole chapter around it.
What other passages sit beside John 20:18?
Readers most often set it next to Luke 24:10, Matthew 28:10, Luke 24:22-23, Mark 16:10-13.
Why does Mary Magdalene matter to Christians today?
Because the story of Mary Magdalene is told to point to Christ and to teach us to love one another. Read it as part of the one story of Scripture, not as a stand-alone biography.
Pray this
Jesus, our Shepherd, nothing about Mary Magdalene is hidden from you. We bring you Mary Magdalene, The Gospels. Let your Body in that place love one another and be one. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Live this
Where to begin this week.
- Read the key passage, John 20:18, aloud once today.
- Write one sentence about what Mary Magdalene's story says about God, not only about Mary Magdalene.
- Tell one person what you noticed, and ask what Bible story has stayed with them.
Where this fits in the walk with Christ
Nothing here is a finish line. It is one door into a life with Christ and with His people.
Read the story of Mary Magdalene
You can read the story of Mary Magdalene in The Gospels on The Living Bread, free, with audio, and with Simon to answer your questions along the way.
