A Biblical Response To The Da Vinci Code

What does the New Testament teach about Mary Magdalene?

Mary is one of six people with this name in the New Testament, and most of them are distinguished by additional descriptions: (1) Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:30-31); (2) Mary of Bethany, sister of Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead (John 11:1); (3) Mary, the wife of Clopas, and also the mother of Joses and the disciple James the younger (Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40; John 19:25); (4) Mary, the mother of John Mark (Acts 12:12); (5) an unidentified Mary (Romans 16:6); (6) Mary Magdalene, distinguished by reference to her home, Magdala (Luke 8:2). Luke introduces us to Mary Magdalene in his gospel. There were a group of women who followed Jesus and the disciples, helping to support them financially. Some of these women “had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.” (Luke 8:2-3) The previous chapter of Luke includes the story of an unnamed prostitute who came to Jesus and some have been quick to speculate that she was Mary Magdalene. In A.D. 591, Pope Gregory the Great gave an Easter sermon in which he declared that the prostitute of Luke 7 was Mary Magdalene. But there is no reason to make such a connection. Mary Magdalene’s ministry with Jesus and his disciples brought her into contact with Salome - the mother of James and John, who was also the sister of Jesus’ mother, Mary – the wife of Clopas and mother of Joses and James the younger, and Mary - the mother of our Lord (Mark 15:47-16:1; John 19:25; Matthew 27:61) These women were standing at the foot of the cross when Jesus died. Mary Magdalene kept watch until the body was taken down and placed in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea.

Then, on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene and the other women “bought spices so that they might go anoint” Jesus’ body (Mark 16:1). When they arrived, however, they saw that the stone had been rolled away. Immediately, Mary ran to tell Peter and John (see John 20:1-2). Peter and John hurried to the tomb with Mary and find it empty. After Peter and John had seen the empty tomb and left, Mary was left alone. John records the events that followed:

“At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. “Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.” (John 20:14-18)