Verses, in chronological order: Luke 8:1-3; at the crucifixion - Matthew 27:55-61, Mark 15:40-47, Luke 23:55-56, John 19:25; at the resurrection Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-11, Luke 24:1-11, John 20:1-18
Background –
parents, husband, children, siblings
The only thing we know of Mary's background is her home. Magdala is situated on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee, south of Capernaum.
The only thing we know of Mary's background is her home. Magdala is situated on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee, south of Capernaum.
Did she reach a place when she needed to reset? If so, did she? For good or evil?
Luke is the only Gospel that records Mary's early condition. "And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils." Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible said, "The word “seven” is often used for an indefinite number, and may signify merely “many” devils. The expression is used to signify that she was grievously tormented, and rendered, doubtless, insane by the power of evil spirits. It has been commonly supposed that Mary Magdalene was a woman of abandoned character, but of this there is not the least evidence. All that we know of her is that she was formerly grievously afflicted by the presence of those evil spirits, that she was perfectly cured by Jesus, and that afterward she became one of his most faithful and humble followers."
It would be easy to think that anyone who Jesus healed or delivered would never walk away from Him. But that was not always the case when He was here on earth, and it is not the case today. John chapter 6 records, "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him." Jesus also taught in Matthew 12 that an unclean spirit will come back to a man and will bring others with it and "the last state of that man is worse than the first." Mary Magdalene remained healed and free.
Mary, along with Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance "From the things belonging to them. This is the first woman’s missionary society for the support of missionaries of the Gospel. They had difficulties in their way, but they overcame these, so great was their gratitude and zeal." (Archibald Thomas Robertson)
What is she most known for? Victories? Defeats? How can I be like her? How can I avoid being like her?
In searching for information on Magdala, I read that Mary is the woman most often mentioned in the New Testament after Mary, Mother of Jesus.
I don't know if she followed Jesus while He was ministering, but she was in Jerusalem for the crucifixion, which was also during the passover. Magdala was about 80 miles from Jerusalem, so at some point she made quite a journey. Matthew Henry said, "It does not appear that she had any business now at Jerusalem, but to wait upon him, for the women were not bound to go up to the feast, and probably she and others followed him the closer, now that they knew their Master would shortly be taken from their head. The continued instances of her respect to him at and after his death prove the sincerity of her love."
Matthew and Mark both record the women "afar off," while John records Mary Magdalene standing at the cross with Mary, the mother of Jesus. "These women were probably not suffered to come near the cross because it was surrounded by soldiers. They witnessed with intense feelings his sufferings from some convenient place as near as they could approach. Attending him and providing for his wants. While multitudes of people joined in the cry, “Crucify him!” and forsook him in his trying moments, it does not appear that any of his female followers were thus unfaithful. In the midst of all his trials, and all the Contempt poured upon him, they adhered to their Redeemer. Never did female constancy shine more brightly, and never was a happier example set for all who should afterward believe on him!" (Albert Barnes) "These good women standing by the cross of Christ, may teach us to do, as they did, look upon a crucified Christ, view his sorrows, and his sufferings, and our sins laid upon him, and borne and taken away by him; we should look unto him for pardon, cleansing, and justification, and, in short, for the whole of salvation: we should also weep, as they did, whilst we look on him; shed even tears of affection for, and sympathy with him; of humiliation for sin, and of joy for a Savior: and likewise should abide by him as they did, by his persons, offices, and grace; by the doctrine of the cross, continuing steadfastly in it; and by the ordinances of Christ, constantly attending on them, and that notwithstanding all reproaches and sufferings we may undergo." (John Gill)
While most hurried home after Jesus died, Mary and the other women followed to His burial. "And beheld, the sepulchre; took notice of it, what an one it was, whereabout it stood in the garden, that they might know, and find it again: and how his body was laid; in what position, form, and order; and observed that it was only wrapped in linen, and not anointed, or embalmed." (John Gill)
The next day was the sabbath, so they had to wait, but they only waited as long as the law commanded. Matthew 28:1 records, "In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre." Mark records it was "very early in the morning, at the rising of the sun."
All four gospels record Mary on resurrection morning, but John's gives the most detail. Mary first goes to the sepulchre and finds it empty. She then runs to Peter and John with the news. Peter and John saw that the tomb was empty and return to their homes. "But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre," she couldn't tear herself away. She had to make sure He was truly gone. The angels told her, "He is not here: for he is risen."
Mary is then the first person to encounter the risen King! "To a woman was this honor given to be the first that saw the risen Redeemer." (Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown) His first words are "Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?" She doesn't know it's Him, even thinks He is the gardener. Then she hears one single word, "Mary." "Christ's way of making himself known to his people is by his word. This one word, Mary, was like that to the disciples in the storm, It is I." (Matthew Henry) "This was spoken, doubtless, in a tone of voice that at once recalled him to her recollection." (Albert Barnes)
Mary's response was "Rabboni; which is to say, Master." Les pointed out in his preaching on Sunday, that Jesus was not only Master of Mary's life, but now He was the Master of death. He had overcome it all! "The message is sent to the whole world. Mary Magdalene, formerly possessed by seven demons — the absolute slave of that dreadful power — is employed to communicate the knowledge of His resurrection to the companions of Jesus." (John Nelson Darby)
"Mary Magdalene came,.... Directly and immediately, being ready and willing to obey the commands of her Lord, with the utmost cheerfulness; and glad to go on such an errand, and carry such news to his disciples, even though her private interest and personal affection might have inclined her to desire to stay with Christ: and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord; not only that he was risen from the dead, and she had been told so by the angels, but she had seen him herself, and was an eyewitness of his resurrection, and which she firmly believed; this she said, not only with all the marks of pleasure, joy and transport, but with an air of assurance and confidence: and that he had spoken these things unto her; as that he called them brethren, and bid her go unto them, and acquaint them, that as he was risen, he should in a short time ascend to his Father and theirs, to his God and theirs; all which she faithfully related to them." (John Gill)
Don't you just love a happy ending?!
While most hurried home after Jesus died, Mary and the other women followed to His burial. "And beheld, the sepulchre; took notice of it, what an one it was, whereabout it stood in the garden, that they might know, and find it again: and how his body was laid; in what position, form, and order; and observed that it was only wrapped in linen, and not anointed, or embalmed." (John Gill)
The next day was the sabbath, so they had to wait, but they only waited as long as the law commanded. Matthew 28:1 records, "In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre." Mark records it was "very early in the morning, at the rising of the sun."
All four gospels record Mary on resurrection morning, but John's gives the most detail. Mary first goes to the sepulchre and finds it empty. She then runs to Peter and John with the news. Peter and John saw that the tomb was empty and return to their homes. "But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre," she couldn't tear herself away. She had to make sure He was truly gone. The angels told her, "He is not here: for he is risen."
Mary is then the first person to encounter the risen King! "To a woman was this honor given to be the first that saw the risen Redeemer." (Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown) His first words are "Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?" She doesn't know it's Him, even thinks He is the gardener. Then she hears one single word, "Mary." "Christ's way of making himself known to his people is by his word. This one word, Mary, was like that to the disciples in the storm, It is I." (Matthew Henry) "This was spoken, doubtless, in a tone of voice that at once recalled him to her recollection." (Albert Barnes)
Mary's response was "Rabboni; which is to say, Master." Les pointed out in his preaching on Sunday, that Jesus was not only Master of Mary's life, but now He was the Master of death. He had overcome it all! "The message is sent to the whole world. Mary Magdalene, formerly possessed by seven demons — the absolute slave of that dreadful power — is employed to communicate the knowledge of His resurrection to the companions of Jesus." (John Nelson Darby)
"Mary Magdalene came,.... Directly and immediately, being ready and willing to obey the commands of her Lord, with the utmost cheerfulness; and glad to go on such an errand, and carry such news to his disciples, even though her private interest and personal affection might have inclined her to desire to stay with Christ: and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord; not only that he was risen from the dead, and she had been told so by the angels, but she had seen him herself, and was an eyewitness of his resurrection, and which she firmly believed; this she said, not only with all the marks of pleasure, joy and transport, but with an air of assurance and confidence: and that he had spoken these things unto her; as that he called them brethren, and bid her go unto them, and acquaint them, that as he was risen, he should in a short time ascend to his Father and theirs, to his God and theirs; all which she faithfully related to them." (John Gill)
Don't you just love a happy ending?!
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