Jesus' Encounter with Mary Magdalene after the Resurrection

The resurrected Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene early on the first day of the week ^[1]. This encounter is a pivotal moment in the New Testament accounts of the resurrection, a central doctrine of Christianity ^[2]. Mary Magdalene is identified as the woman from whom Jesus had cast out seven demons, indicating a significant deliverance from spiritual affliction ^{[1, 3]}. She was among the women who supported Jesus financially and was present at his crucifixion ^{[3, 4]}.

The Gospel of Mark explicitly states that Jesus "appeared first to Marie Magdalene" after his resurrection ^[1]. Other Gospel accounts corroborate Mary Magdalene's presence at the tomb on Easter morning. Matthew Henry notes that Jesus was seen five times on the day of his resurrection, with Mary Magdalene's encounter in the garden being the first ^[8]. John Gill also mentions Jesus' appearance to Mary Magdalene as one of his post-resurrection manifestations ^[10].

The resurrection of Christ is considered a foundational fact and doctrine of the gospel, without which Christian faith would be "vain" ^{[2, 6]}. The New Testament revelation rests on this historical event ^[2]. The apostle Paul emphasizes the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15, stating that if Christ has not been raised, then believers are still in their sins ^[6]. The Scriptures, including Psalm 16, Hosea 6:2, and Jonah 1:17, are understood to have predicted Christ's resurrection ^[5]. Jesus himself also intimated his resurrection in his discourses ^[2].

Mary Magdalene's encounter with the resurrected Christ highlights several theological themes. Her initial grief and confusion at the empty tomb turn into joy and recognition upon hearing Jesus call her name ^[8]. This personal encounter underscores the intimate nature of Jesus' relationship with his followers. The fact that she was the first to witness the resurrected Lord is significant, especially given the societal norms of the time regarding women's testimony.

The patristic writer Augustine discussed the various post-resurrection appearances of Christ, including the question of whether a complete harmony can be established between the different Gospel narratives ^[7]. He also emphasized the nature of Christ's resurrection as a promise of eternal life, distinguishing it from the temporary resurrections, such as that of Lazarus ^[9]. Thomas Aquinas, a scholastic theologian, argued that Christ's resurrection is the cause of the resurrection of believers' bodies, stating that "Whatever is first in any order, is the cause of all that come after it" ^[11].

The accounts of Jesus' resurrection appearances, including the one to Mary Magdalene, served to confirm the reality of his triumph over death and to commission his disciples for their future ministry ^{[2, 8]}. These appearances were not merely spiritual visions but physical manifestations, as indicated by the disciples' surprise and Jesus' subsequent interactions with them ^[8].

Sources

Mark “Mark 16:9 (Geneva1599) — And when Iesus was risen againe, early the first day of the weeke, he appeared first to Marie Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seuen deuils:”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Resurrection of Christ — One of the cardinal facts and doctrines of the gospel. If Christ be not risen, our faith is vain (1 Cor. 15:14). The whole of the New Testament revelation rests on this as an historical fact. On the day of Pentecost Peter argued the necessity of Christ's resurrection from the prediction in Ps. 16 (Acts 2:24-28). In his own discourses, also, our Lord clearly intimates his resurrection (Matt. 20:19; Mark 9:9; 14:28; Luke 18:33; John 2:19-22). The evangelists give circumstantial accounts of the facts connected with that event, and the apostles, ”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Mary Magdalene — Different explanations have been given of this name; but the most natural is that she came from the town of Magdala. She appears before us for the first time in (Luke 8:2) among the women who "ministered unto him of their substance." All appear to have occupied a position of comparative wealth. With all the chief motive was that of gratitude for their deliverance from "evil spirits and infirmities." Of Mary it is said specially that "seven devils went out of her," and the number indicates a possession of more than ordinary malignity. She was present d”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Mary — a Roman Christian who is greeted by St. Paul in his Epistle to the Romans, ch. (Romans 16:6) as having toiled hard for him. (a tear) of Cle'ophas. So in Authorized Version, but accurately "of Clopas," i.e. the wife of Clopas (or Alphaeus). She is brought before us for the first time on the day of the crucifixion, standing by the cross. (John 19:25) In the evening of the same day we find her sitting desolate at the tomb with Mary Magdalene, (Matthew 27:61; Mark 15:47) and at the dawn of Easter morning she was again there with sweet spices, which she had prepared”
1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 15:4: 15:4 just as the Scriptures said: See Ps 16:10; Hos 6:2; Jon 1:17; Matt 12:40; Acts 2:24-32.”
1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 15:17: vain--Ye are, by the very fact (supposing the case to be as the skeptics maintained), frustrated of all which "your faith" appropriates: Ye are still under the everlasting condemnation of your sins (even in the disembodied state which is here referred to), from which Christ's resurrection is our justification (Rom 4:25): "saved by his life" (Rom 5:10).”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — CHAP. XXV.--OF CHRIST'S SUBSEQUENT MANIFESTATIONS OF HIMSELF TO THE DISCIPLES, AND OF THE QUESTION WHETHER A THOROUGH HARMONY CAN BE ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT NARRATIVES WHEN THE NOTICES GIVEN (part 16): first manifestation to the disciples after His resurrection but Galilee? This seems to be the conclusion to which we should be led when we recollect the words of the angel who, according to Matthew's Gospel, addressed the women as they came to the sepulchre. The words were these: "Fear not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus of Nazareth,”
Luke (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Luke 24:36: Five times Christ was seen the same day that he rose: by Mary Magdalene alone in the garden (Joh 20:14), by the women as they were going to tell the disciples (Mat 28:9), by Peter alone, by the two disciples going to Emmaus, and now at night by the eleven, of which we have an account in these verses, as also Joh 20:19. Observe, 1. The great surprise which his appearing gave them. He came in among them very seasonably, as they were comparing notes concerning the proofs of his resurrection: As they thus spoke, and were ready perhaps to put it to the question whether ”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — [DE SYMBOLO AD CATECHUMENOS.] (part 15): is risen, ascended into heaven: where the Head, there also the members. In what way the resurrection of the flesh? Lest any should chance to think it like as Lazarus's resurrection, that thou mayo est know it to be not so, it is added, "Into life everlasting." God regenerate you ! God preserve and keep you! God bring you safe unto Himself, Who is the Life Everlasting. Amen.”
John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 21 (introduction): After these things,.... The resurrection of Christ from the dead, his appearance to Mary Magdalene, and twice to his disciples; once when Thomas was absent, and at another time when he was present: Jesus showed himself again to the disciples, a third time, as in Joh 21:14 though not to them all; seven are only mentioned, as together, when he appeared to them: at the sea of Tiberias; the same with the sea of Galilee; see Joh 6:1 for after the second appearance of Christ to his disciples, they went from Jerusalem to Galilee, by the order of Christ, who ap”
theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Third Part (Tertia Pars), Of the Causality of Christ's Resurrection, Art. 1: Article: Whether Christ's Resurrection is the cause of the resurrection of our bodies? I answer that, As stated in 2 Metaphysics, text 4: "Whatever is first in any order, is the cause of all that come after it." But Christ's Resurrection was the first in the order of our resurrection, as is evident from what was said above (Question [53], Article [3]). Hence Christ's Resurrection must be the cause of ours: and this is what the Apostle says (1 Cor. 15:20,21): "Christ is risen from the dead, t”

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