Mary Magdalene's Witness to the Resurrection in Scripture

Mary Magdalene's Witness to the Resurrection

Mary Magdalene is a pivotal figure in the New Testament accounts of Jesus Christ's resurrection. According to the Gospel of John, she was the first to witness the resurrected Jesus and was commissioned to announce this news to the disciples ^[2]. The significance of her role is underscored by the fact that she is mentioned by name in all four Gospels in connection with the events surrounding Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection.

The biblical accounts describe Mary Magdalene as a woman from whom Jesus had cast out seven demons, indicating she had been possessed by evil spirits ^{[1, 3]}. Her presence at the crucifixion and her role in anointing Jesus' body after his death demonstrate her devotion to him ^[4]. On the first day of the week, she visited Jesus' tomb, where she encountered the risen Christ.

The Gospel accounts vary in their details about the resurrection appearances, but they consistently highlight Mary Magdalene's importance as a witness. In Mark 16:9, it is stated that Jesus "appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven demons" ^[3]. John's Gospel provides a more detailed account of their encounter, where Jesus instructs her not to cling to him but to go and tell the disciples that he is ascending to his Father ^[2].

The early Christian tradition and various theological interpretations have emphasized the significance of Mary Magdalene's witness. According to Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist/Puritan commentator, Mary Magdalene's encounter with the risen Jesus and her subsequent report to the disciples are crucial in establishing the fact of Jesus' resurrection ^[10]. The resurrection is a cornerstone of Christian doctrine, as emphasized by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, where he lists the appearances of the risen Christ, although Mary Magdalene is not explicitly mentioned ^{[5, 7]}.

Theological traditions have interpreted Mary Magdalene's role in various ways. The Eastern Orthodox tradition, as represented by John Chrysostom, emphasizes the importance of the resurrection and the role of witnesses like Mary Magdalene in affirming its historicity ^[6]. In Catholic theology, as represented by Thomas Aquinas, the resurrection of Christ is seen as the cause of the general resurrection, with Mary Magdalene's witness being a key part of this narrative ^[9].

The significance of Mary Magdalene's witness to the resurrection is multifaceted. It not only underscores her importance as a disciple but also highlights the central Christian doctrine of the resurrection. As Calvin notes in his commentary on 1 Corinthians 15, the resurrection is a fundamental aspect of Christian faith, and the testimony of witnesses like Mary Magdalene is crucial in establishing its truth ^[8].

The varied accounts of Mary Magdalene's encounter with the risen Jesus across the Gospels demonstrate the early Christian community's emphasis on her role as a key witness to the resurrection. Her story has been interpreted and revered across different Christian traditions, underscoring the unity of the Christian message regarding the resurrection.

Sources

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”
John “John 20:18 (Rotherham) — Mary the Magdalene cometh, bringing tidings unto the disciples—I have seen the Lord! and that these things he had said unto her.”
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:”
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.”
CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1:11 1:11 1:26 1:26 1:26 1:27 1:27 1:27 1:31 1:31 2:2 2:7 2:17 2:17 2:18 2:23 2:24 2:24 2:24 3:5 3:16 3:24 4 4:9 4:14 6:2 6:3 6:4 6:9 6:12 7:7 8:21 12:1 12:4 12:16 13:10 13:10-11 14:14 14:21-23 15:16 16:5 16:6 17:8 18:11 18:12 18:14 18:21 19:13 19:14 19:24 21:10 21:12 21:12 22:7-8 22:16 22:18 22:18 24:1-67 24:22 24:65 25:21 25:21 26:4 27:46 28:1 28:13 31:42 31:45 32:48 35:18 37:9-10 37:20 39:1 39:6 40:4 40:7 40:8 40:14-15 40:22 41 41:16 42:36 43:14 43:30 45:5 48:15-16 49:9 64:28 Exodus 2:11 2”
1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 15 (introduction): In this chapter the apostle treats of that great article of Christianity - the resurrection of the dead. I. He establishes the certainty of our Saviour's resurrection (Co1 15:1-11). II. He, from this truth, sets himself to refute those who said, There is no resurrection of the dead (Co1 15:12-19). III. From our Saviour's resurrection he establishes the resurrection of the dead and confirms the Corinthians in the belief of it by some other considerations (Co1 15:20-34). IV. He answers an objection against this truth, and takes occasion thence to”
CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 98: 5:9 5:9 5:10 5:10 5:12 5:12-21 5:12-21 5:16 5:16 5:17 5:18 5:18 5:18 5:18 5:18 5:18 5:19 5:19 5:19 5:19 5:19 5:19 5:19 5:21 6:1-8 6:1-23 6:1-23 6:3 6:3 6:3 6:4-10 6:5 6:8 6:14 6:14 6:14 6:14 7:1 7:1 7:1-6 7:1-25 7:2 7:2 7:3 7:3 7:4 7:4 7:4 7:4-6 7:4-6 7:6 7:7 7:7 7:7 7:7 7:7-25 7:7-25 7:12 7:14 7:24 7:33 7:34 8:1-39 8:3 8:9-11 8:9-11 8:10 8:11 8:12 8:16 8:16 8:17 8:17 8:19-21 8:19-23 8:21 8:25 8:30 8:33 8:34 8:34 9:1-33 9:4 9:4 9:4 9:8 9:8 10:3 10:3 10:4 10:8 10:9 10:9 10:10 10:10 10:10 10:11-15 10:14 10:14 10:15 11:1-36 11:6 11:11 11:11 ”
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”
Mark (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Mark 16 (introduction): In this chapter, we have a short account of the resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus: and the joys and triumphs which it furnished all believers with, will be very acceptable to those who sympathised and suffered with Christ in the foregoing chapters. Here is, I. Christ's resurrection notified by an angel to the women that came to the sepulchre to anoint him (Mar 16:1-8). II. His appearance to Mary Magdalene, and the account she gave of it to the disciples (Mar 16:9-11). III. His appearance to the two disciples, going to Emmaus, and the report t”

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