Mary Magdalene
First Witness of the Resurrection
Delivered of seven devils and devoted disciple — the first person to whom the risen Christ appeared.
Mary of Magdala had been delivered by Jesus from seven devils (Luke 8:2) and followed Him with the women who supported the ministry from their substance. She stood at the cross, watched the burial, came to the tomb early on the first day, and was the first to see the risen Lord (John 20).
Her Story
After watching where Joseph of Arimathaea laid the body, Mary came at dawn on the first day of the week and found the stone rolled away. She ran to Peter and John, returned weeping, and saw two angels and then Jesus Himself, whom she first mistook for the gardener. When He spoke her name — 'Mary' — she answered 'Rabboni.' Jesus sent her to the disciples: 'I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God' (John 20:17 KJV). She became the apostle to the apostles.
What Scripture Teaches
- 1Delivered of seven devils by Jesus (Luke 8:2; Mark 16:9)
- 2Supported Jesus' ministry from her substance (Luke 8:3)
- 3Stood at the cross (John 19:25)
- 4Watched the burial (Matthew 27:61)
- 5First to see the empty tomb (John 20:1)
- 6First witness of the risen Christ (John 20:14-18; Mark 16:9)
Key KJV Scriptures
"And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,"
"Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master."
"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."
Why It Matters
Christ entrusted the first proclamation of His resurrection to a delivered woman from Galilee — overturning every category of who can bear witness. Her loyalty in the dark was honoured with light at dawn.
Application for Today
Stay near the cross, stay near the tomb, and you will be near the risen Christ. Faithfulness in grief positions you for joy at sunrise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Mary Magdalene a prostitute?
The Bible never says so. The identification with the sinful woman of Luke 7 is a medieval conflation. Scripture identifies her only as the woman from Magdala out of whom Jesus cast seven devils.
Why did Jesus appear to her first?
She was the first at the tomb, with a love stronger than fear. The Lord honoured her devotion by trusting her with the world's first Easter sermon: 'I have seen the Lord' (John 20:18).
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