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Mary Magdalene is one of six women in the Bible who are named Mary. Different
explanations have been given to explain her name. The most natural is that she was from a town
called Magdala. She appears before us for the first time in Luke 8:2-3. She was among the women
who ministered to Jesus of their substance. All appeared to have occupied a position of comparative
wealth. With all of them, their chief motive seems to be that of gratitude for their deliverance from
"evil spirits and infirmities." Of Mary it is said that "seven devils” went out of her, and the number
indicates a possession of more than ordinary power.
While Jesus lived on earth, she served Him. When He was dying on the cross, she stood
among those who grieved. She was present during the closing hours of His agony on the cross ( John
19:25). She apparently remained by the cross until all the sufferings of Christ was over and even
waited until the body was taken down and placed in the garden tomb of Joseph of Arimathaea (Mark
15:42-47). Then with others, she brought sweet spices to anoint the body of Jesus (Mark 16:1). The
next morning accordingly, in the earliest dawn, they came to the tomb (Mark 16:2). Mary found the
tomb empty and saw the "vision of angels" (Mark 16:5). She was blessed to be the first one to see
and hear Jesus after His resurrection (John 20:11-18).
Mary Magdalene has become a type of the repent sinner, who was delivered from the
unbreakable clutches of satan; who gladly give self and substance to Jesus, out of a heart of love.
Mary Magdalene was faithful to Jesus, even to the cross and beyond. Oh, that all of us might be such
loving and faithful servants of the blessed Master.
One other matter for our consideration is found in Luke 7:36-50. Here we are told of a
sinner, a woman who washed the feet of Jesus with her tears and dried them with her hair. There is
no scripture that proves absolutely who she was or gives her name. Some look at her loving
character and believe that it was Mary Magdalene. What do you think?
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