Their story
Luke says Jesus had delivered Mary Magdalene from seven demons, and the Gospels later place her near the crucifixion and at the tomb. In John, she meets the risen Jesus and then tells the disciples what she has seen. The story gives her a central witness role at the point where Christian faith says everything changed.
Why they matter
Across Christian traditions, Mary Magdalene matters because she is connected so closely with the resurrection announcement. Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and Evangelical traditions do not always describe her in the same way, but the Gospels themselves make her an important witness. Her story also shows why careful reading matters, since later tradition and popular imagination have added details the text does not state.
Key Bible passages
What people often get wrong
The New Testament does not say Mary Magdalene was a prostitute. That idea comes from later conflations with other women in the Gospels.
Mary Magdalene is not the same person as Mary of Bethany in the biblical text.
Common questions
Was Mary Magdalene really a prostitute?
The New Testament does not say that. The idea comes from later tradition that combined Mary Magdalene with other unnamed or differently named women.
Was Mary Magdalene at the resurrection?
Yes. The Gospels place Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb, and John describes her meeting the risen Jesus.
Why is Mary Magdalene important?
She is important because she is one of the named women who followed Jesus and a key witness to the resurrection.
The name
Read the meaning and Christian naming history of Mary Magdalene.