Bible Verses About Mary Magdalene: 12 Scriptures on the First Witness of the Resurrection

"Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means "Teacher"). … Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!""

— John 20:16, 18 (NIV)

People who search bible verses about Mary Magdalene want Scripture on Maria hē Magdalēnē — the woman from whom Jesus drove out seven demons, who traveled with him and helped support his ministry, stood near the cross, watched where he was buried, came to the tomb while it was still dark, and was the first person to see him risen and tell the others — not Mary the mother of Jesus and not only the resurrection in general. This page is a numbered list of twelve passages with the NIV text and a short note on each. Related lists: Bible verses about Mary, Bible verses about Peter, Bible verses about Stephen, Bible verses about John the Baptist, Bible verses about the resurrection, Bible verses about the cross, Bible verses about grief, and Bible verse of the day. Her cry at the tomb names him Rabboni; see what Rabboni means.

Word study (lead theme). In Greek, Μαγδαληνή Magdalēnē (Strong's G3094; Bible Hub G3094) — "Magdalene," a word that sets her apart from the other Marys in the Gospels. It is usually read as "of Magdala," a town on the Sea of Galilee. (Resurrection pages live elsewhere; this list centers Mary Magdalene the woman.)

Who was Mary Magdalene?

Luke 8:1-3 describes women who traveled with Jesus and the Twelve, including Mary called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had come out. Those women helped support his ministry out of their own means.

She remained at his death. John 19:25 names Mary Magdalene among the women standing near the cross.

She was the first to see the risen Jesus and to tell the disciples. Mark 16:9 says he appeared first to Mary Magdalene. John 20:11-18 tells how she stood at the tomb weeping, heard Jesus say her name, and went to the disciples with the news that she had seen the Lord.

Scripture never calls her a prostitute. That idea came later.

12 Bible verses about Mary Magdalene

Luke 8:1-2. "After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out." Set free. See Bible verses about freedom.
Luke 8:3. "Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means." Following and giving. See Bible verses about servanthood.
Mark 16:9. "When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons." First to see him. See Bible verses about deliverance.
Matthew 27:55-56. "Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee's sons." Still there at the end. See Bible verses about faith.
John 19:25. "Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene." Standing at the cross. See Bible verses about the cross and Bible verses about Mary.
Matthew 27:61. "Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb." Watching the burial. See Bible verses about mourning.
John 20:1. "Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance." While it was still dark. See Bible verses about hope.
John 20:11. "Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb." Weeping at the tomb. See Bible verses about grief.
John 20:15. ""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."" She does not recognize him yet. See Bible verses about Jesus.
John 20:16. "Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means "Teacher")." Known by name. See Bible verses about love.
John 20:17. "Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"" Sent with a message. See Bible verses about evangelism.
John 20:18. "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." The first to tell. See Bible verses about the resurrection and Bible verses about joy.

How to use these verses

Pick one verse when you need Mary Magdalene — not twelve as a grind. If you feel defined by your past, start at Luke 8:2 and Mark 16:9. If you are grieving, read John 20:11–16 slowly and notice that Jesus calls her by name. If you are tempted to walk away when things look lost, read John 19:25 and Matthew 27:61. If you have good news to share, read John 20:18. For the resurrection in general, open Bible verses about the resurrection. For Jesus's mother, open Bible verses about Mary. For a daily verse, open Bible verse of the day.

Questions people ask

Who was Mary Magdalene in the Bible?

She was a follower of Jesus from whom he drove out seven demons (Luke 8:2). She traveled with him, helped support his ministry, stood near the cross, and was the first to see him after he rose (Mark 16:9; John 20:14–18).

Was Mary Magdalene the first to see Jesus after the resurrection?

Mark 16:9 says that when Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene. John 20:11-18 shows her at the tomb, Jesus calling her by name, and her going to the disciples to tell them she had seen the Lord.

Was Mary Magdalene a prostitute?

The Bible never says so. The Gospels describe her as healed of seven demons, not as a prostitute. That idea came from later church tradition that blended her with other women in the Gospels.

What did Jesus say to Mary Magdalene at the tomb?

He asked, "Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Then he said her name, "Mary," and told her to go to his brothers and say, "I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God" (John 20:15–17).

Is Mary Magdalene the same as Mary the mother of Jesus?

No. John 19:25 lists Jesus's mother and Mary Magdalene as two different women at the cross. For Jesus's mother, see Bible verses about Mary.

How is Mary Magdalene different from the resurrection alone?

Resurrection pages gather Scripture on Jesus rising and the hope of rising with him. This list centers Mary Magdalene herself — her healing, her faithfulness at the cross, and her meeting with the risen Jesus.