What Does the Bible Say About Mary Magdalene?
Bible Verses & Devotional
What Does the Bible Say About Mary Magdalene?
When Christians ask what does the bible say about mary magdalene, they’re really asking for Scripture itself—who she was, what she did, and what she witnessed. In the Gospels, Mary Magdalene appears as a real follower of Jesus: a woman delivered from spiritual oppression, who helped sustain His work, and who stayed faithful through grief. Later, in the early morning, she comes to the tomb with sorrow and devotion, and she is met by the living Christ. These passages matter because they highlight faithfulness in suffering and courage to seek Jesus even when hope feels buried. They also show that God can use ordinary love and persistence to carry extraordinary news. As we look at Luke and John, Mary Magdalene’s story becomes a gentle but powerful encouragement: Jesus sees her, speaks to her, and sends her to tell others what He has done.
At a Glance — Verses in This Article
- Luke 8:1-3
- Luke 7:36-50
- John 20:1-2
- John 20:11-18
Bible Verses
Luke 8:1-3 (King James Version)
“And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.”
This passage identifies Mary called Magdalene as one healed and delivered, and it shows her actively ministering to Jesus.
Luke 7:36-50 (King James Version)
“And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”
Although the setting is a different moment, Jesus’ words about forgiveness and love underscore the kind of faith Mary Magdalene later embodies in devotion.
John 20:1-2 (King James Version)
“The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.”
Here Mary Magdalene goes early to the tomb, showing devotion and urgency as she seeks the Lord and reports what she finds.
John 20:11-18 (King James Version)
“But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.”
This text records Jesus meeting Mary personally, and it includes His message to her to tell His disciples that He is ascending.
A delivered follower: Mary Magdalene in Jesus’ ministry
To understand Mary Magdalene, we begin where Scripture explicitly describes her: Luke 8:1-3. It introduces her as “Mary called Magdalene,” and it emphasizes that out of her “went seven devils.” That detail is not filler—it tells us that Mary’s relationship with Jesus began with real deliverance and real transformation. The Gospel also shows that she did not simply receive help and then fade away; she ministered unto him of their substance alongside other women.
This matters for anyone asking who Mary was. The Bible portrays her as a woman of faith who, after being healed, used her resources to support Jesus’ mission as He traveled, preached, and taught. In other words, her story is not only about what Jesus removed from her; it’s also about how Jesus enabled her to serve.
When Scripture later describes her at the tomb, we can see the same pattern: devotion that keeps showing up. Deliverance produces discipleship. And the kindness of the Lord becomes the foundation for a life that keeps moving toward Him.
As you read these texts, you may notice a quiet encouragement: Mary Magdalene’s courage didn’t appear out of nowhere. It grew from a history of encountering Jesus’ mercy. So if you’ve been spiritually wounded—or if hope feels thin—remember that God often begins His work by meeting us in our need, then reshapes us into people who can bless others.
Love that receives forgiveness: the heart behind devotion
Some Bible readers connect Mary Magdalene’s devotion with themes from Luke 7:36-50—especially Jesus’ teaching about forgiveness and love. In that account, a woman who is described as a “sinner” comes to Jesus in humility, weeping, washing His feet with tears, and anointing them. The Pharisee misunderstands her, but Jesus reframes the situation around grace.
Jesus tells the parable of two debtors and teaches that forgiveness produces love: “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much” and “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.” While Luke 7 is not the tomb narrative, the spiritual principle is unmistakable: genuine repentance and faith respond to mercy.
So how does this relate to Mary Magdalene? The Bible has already told us that Mary was delivered and then supported Jesus (Luke 8:1-3). Luke 7 helps us understand the “why” behind such devotion. When Jesus forgives, the heart changes. When Jesus is honored, tears and worship are not meaningless emotions; they become expressions of trust.
This also challenges us gently. We can’t separate forgiveness from love. If Jesus has touched your life, it will show. Not always in dramatic ways, but in a growing willingness to seek Him, serve Him, and respond to His goodness.
In Mary Magdalene, we see the fruit of that kind of faith: she is present, she is persistent, and she refuses to give up on the Lord—even when the world has gone quiet.
At the tomb: grief, recognition, and a message to tell
Mary Magdalene’s final Gospel appearances bring her faith into the deepest emotional terrain: mourning. In John 20:1-2, she comes “early, when it was yet dark,” to the sepulchre. She sees the stone taken away and immediately runs to tell others that the Lord’s body is missing. Even before recognition, she acts—she seeks the Lord and communicates what she knows.
Then John 20:11-18 shows the full scene. Mary stands outside the tomb weeping. Her grief is personal: she says they have taken away her Lord and she does not know where they have laid Him. When Jesus appears, she does not recognize Him at first; yet her love keeps her looking. Jesus calls her by name—“Mary”—and the moment He speaks, she knows Him.
Jesus also gives Mary a specific purpose. He says not to cling to Him “Touch me not,” and then commands her to “go to my brethren, and say unto them” that He is ascending to the Father. Mary Magdalene becomes a messenger of the risen Christ.
This is a powerful pattern. Her tears do not disqualify her; they accompany her until hope breaks through. Her misunderstanding doesn’t prevent her from receiving truth; it becomes the backdrop for recognition. And her love becomes mission.
If you feel like you are searching in the dark, Scripture doesn’t shame that—it honors the seeking. Jesus still comes near. He still speaks. And He still sends His people to tell others what He has done.
How to apply Mary Magdalene’s faith today
Mary Magdalene’s story invites you to practice faith in three everyday ways. First, respond to grace with serving. Since Jesus delivered and healed Mary (Luke 8:1-3), her devotion wasn’t only emotional; it became action. Ask yourself: where has God already helped you, and how could you use what you have to support His work this week?
Second, keep seeking Jesus when answers are missing. John shows Mary coming to the tomb early, still grieving, still searching. Even if you don’t see immediate change, you can still take the faithful step—read Scripture, pray honestly, reach out to a trusted believer, and keep your heart pointed toward the Lord.
Third, receive Jesus’ personal voice. In John 20, Mary is recognized when Jesus calls her name. That teaches that faith is not only about public religion; it’s also about personal encounter. Make room for God to speak: slow down in prayer, listen for conviction, and let His Word correct your assumptions.
Finally, remember that spiritual encounters are meant to produce communication. Jesus tells Mary to go and tell the disciples (John 20:11-18). Your testimony may not sound like a headline, but it can still carry hope. Tell others what you’ve seen God do, and do it with humility and courage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Mary Magdalene in the Bible?
The Bible presents Mary Magdalene as a woman connected to Jesus’ ministry who experienced deliverance and then supported Jesus’ work. In Luke 8:1-3, she is healed and helps minister to Jesus. In John 20, she goes to the tomb, encounters the risen Lord, and is given a message to share with His disciples.
What role did Mary Magdalene play in Jesus’ ministry?
In Luke 8:1-3, Mary Magdalene is described as having been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, and then ministering to Jesus “of their substance.” This portrays her as an active follower who used her resources to help Jesus as He traveled, preached, and taught.
What Mary Magdalene witnessed at the tomb?
In John 20:1-2, she finds the stone taken away and runs to report that the Lord’s body is missing. In John 20:11-18, she weeps outside the tomb, then Jesus appears to her and speaks to her, and she recognizes Him as the risen Lord.
What message did Mary Magdalene receive from the risen Jesus?
In John 20:11-18, Jesus tells Mary to go to His brethren and say that He is ascending to the Father—His Father and the believers’ Father. He commissions her to share the risen truth, turning her personal encounter into good news for others.
A Short Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for showing us Mary Magdalene’s faithful love—how You delivered her, met her at the tomb, and entrusted her with a message. When my hope feels dark, help me keep seeking You with courage. Call me by name through Your Word and Spirit, and teach me to respond to Your grace with service. Make me a witness of the risen Christ, ready to tell others what You have done. Amen.