Bible Study on Mary Magdalene: Her True Relationship with Jesus


Bibliaon Team
Bibliaon Team
Created and reviewed by our editors

Mary Magdalene was a woman who had been possessed by seven demons and was liberated by Jesus. The relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene is marked by deep respect and transformation. After her liberation, Magdalene became one of Jesus' most devoted followers, playing a significant role in His ministry.

Mary Magdalene is mentioned in the Bible as one of the women who supported Jesus and His disciples. Her constant presence and support demonstrate the profound transformation she experienced after being freed by Christ. Despite her importance, Mary Magdalene is not described as an apostle in the biblical texts.

One of the most significant moments in the relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene occurs after the resurrection. According to the Gospel of John, Mary Magdalene is the first to discover the empty tomb and to see the resurrected Jesus. Jesus entrusts her with the mission of announcing to the disciples that He has risen, an act that positions her as the first witness of the resurrection.

Mary Magdalene and Jesus

This encounter after the resurrection is crucial, as it reveals the importance of Mary Magdalene not only as a follower but also as a bearer of a central message of Christianity. Their relationship, therefore, is marked by healing, dedication, and the vital role Mary plays in proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus.

The Bible portrays Mary Magdalene as a figure transformed by the grace of Jesus and a key witness to His resurrection, with a relationship based on faith and respect.

Key Events Involving Mary Magdalene and Jesus

  1. Liberation from Seven Demons: Mary Magdalene is healed by Jesus from possession by seven demons (Luke 8:2).

  2. Magdalene Becomes a Follower of Jesus: She accompanies Jesus and the disciples, providing support (Luke 8:3).

  3. Presence at the Crucifixion: Mary Magdalene witnesses the crucifixion of Jesus, demonstrating her loyalty until the end (Mark 15:40).

  4. Magdalene Sees the Empty Tomb: She finds the empty tomb and is the first to see the resurrected Jesus (John 20:1).

  5. Magdalene Announces the Resurrection: Jesus entrusts Mary Magdalene with the mission of announcing to the disciples that He has risen (John 20:17-18).

Biblical Analysis: The Truth About Mary Magdalene

There are many myths and legends associated with the life of Mary Magdalene. For instance, the Bible does not refer to her as a prostitute or a promiscuous woman. Despite this, in popular culture, Mary Magdalene is commonly known as the "repentant sinner." But where did this idea come from?

To truly understand who this intriguing figure was, we must look at the Scriptures, separating facts from misconceptions and myths that have accumulated around Mary Magdalene.

1. Was Mary Magdalene a Prostitute?

Nothing in the biblical accounts indicates that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute. This idea arose from incorrect interpretations of other passages in the New Testament. Mary was confused with the sinful woman who anointed Jesus, as well as with Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, who also anointed Jesus' feet.

This interpretive confusion was popularized by a sermon from the Catholic Pope Gregory I, who combined three biblical figures into one: the anonymous sinner (Luke 7:36-38), Mary of Bethany (John 12:1-3), and Mary Magdalene.

A careful reading of the Gospels reveals that these three women are distinct. The anointings of Jesus by the sinful woman and by Mary of Bethany occurred at different times and places. None of these women was Mary Magdalene.

Therefore, the story of Mary Magdalene should not be confused with that of other women in the Bible, as has been done. Each of them is a different character with her own story.

2. Was Mary Magdalene the Wife of Jesus?

Mary Magdalene was not married to Jesus. The Bible does not report that Jesus was married, nor is there any real evidence that this occurred. When Jesus was on the cross, He asked John to take care of His mother, Mary, but He did not ask him to care for a supposed wife.

As a faithful follower, Magdalene accompanied Jesus during His mission in Galilee, witnessing many miracles and signs. Certainly, she was a close follower of His, but that does not mean she had a romantic relationship with Christ.

Despite some books and films addressing this question, there is no historical evidence for it. There would be no reason for the Bible to conceal that Jesus was married if it were true; marriage is not a sin. The Bible tells us, for example, that the apostle Peter and others were married.

Another biblical evidence indicating that Mary Magdalene was only a disciple of Jesus and not His wife is that, on the morning of the resurrection, upon recognizing Jesus, she exclaimed "Rabboni" (Teacher) and not "husband." Mary recognized Jesus as her leader and Lord, not as a spouse.

3. Did Mary Magdalene Have Children with Jesus?

Mary Magdalene did not have children with Jesus. This false claim is raised in literary and cinematic works, such as "The Last Temptation of Christ" by Nikos Kazantzakis and more recently in Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code." However, there are no indications in the Bible, nor any historical records from the New Testament period, about supposed children of Jesus.

4. Was Mary Magdalene an Apostle or a Leader in the Early Church?

Mary Magdalene was not an apostle. While she was a close disciple of Jesus and a witness to His resurrection, the Bible does not classify her as an apostle in the same sense as Peter, Paul, and others. She was a faithful follower and the first to see the resurrected Jesus (John 20:11-18), but there is no biblical evidence that she held a formal leadership role in the early Church.

5. Was Mary Magdalene the Adulterous Woman Jesus Saved?

The adulterous woman does not refer to Mary Magdalene. The woman caught in adultery, presented in John 8:1-11, is another figure with whom Mary Magdalene is often confused. However, the Bible does not identify this woman as Mary Magdalene. The identity of the adulterous woman remains anonymous in the Scriptures.

6. Was Mary Magdalene Possessed by Seven Demons Because She Was a Great Sinner?

Luke 8:2 mentions that Jesus cast seven demons out of Mary Magdalene, but it does not provide details about the nature of her problem.

Demonic possession in the Bible is more often associated with illness or affliction, not necessarily with sinful behavior. Therefore, to say that Mary Magdalene was a "great sinner" before encountering Jesus is speculation and not based on biblical text.

7. How Did Mary Magdalene Die?

The Bible does not mention the death of Mary Magdalene. After the ascension of Jesus to heaven, there are no further accounts of her in the Holy Scriptures.

Some traditions suggest that after Jesus' resurrection, Mary Magdalene and a group of Christians were expelled from Judea and took refuge in southern France. According to this theory, Mary Magdalene preached to many people in the Marseille region and founded a Christian community that lived in a cave, dedicating themselves to prayer and reflection.

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Bibliaon Team
Bibliaon Team
Bibliaon's Editorial Team consists of mature Christians with several years of experience in Bible teaching and in writing, all with a genuine commitment to Jesus and the Word of God.