Mary Magdalene
What is the first thing you think of when you hear the name "Mary
Magdalene"? Some people think that
Mary was a prostitute who came to know Jesus as her Lord, yet there is
absolutely no biblical evidence for this lie, that she was a prostitute.
Neither should she be confused with the woman who was a sinner that came to
Simon's house where Jesus was. That
woman was nameless, and scripture tells us that her weeping and repentance had
saved her from her sins. This study will attempt to portray the truth about
Mary Magdalene, a woman greatly blessed.
Verses pertaining to Mary are scattered throughout the gospels, each a
piece of her story. We will bring them
in chronological order, to best learn the truth.
Luke 8:1-3 is the earliest mention of Mary "And it came to pass
afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and
shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,
and certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary
called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,.....and many others, which
ministered unto him of their substance.".
Reading a few verses before, Luke 7:37-50 is the story of the woman who
was a sinner. Luke 8:1 clearly states
"and it came to pass afterward,"
Thus we know that Mary Magdalene was NOT the woman who was a sinner.
Mary, along with others were healed of their infirmities. The name
Magdalene signifies where she came from, Mary of Magdala. Imagine what a
terrible state this poor woman must have been in. As the bible often does, it states an
incredible occurrence in the simple statement "out of whom went seven
devils". This combines with Mark 16:9...he appeared first to Mary
Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils." The devils acknowledge the Lord. Even today, we are told in Ephesians 6:12,16
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places.
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to
quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."
In James 4:7 we learn that as believers we have the power thru the
indwelling holy spirit to "resist the devil and he will flee from
you".
Next in Luke 8:1-3 we learn that Mary and some of the other women who
Jesus healed accompanied the Lord and his apostles as he went "throughout
every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom
of God:" Every city and village -
the news was spread everywhere, no one had excuse to say that they did not hear
the good news. A reminder that today, we ought to be going everywhere telling
the good news. Mark 15:40,41 tell us
that Mary was among those women who had followed him from when he was in
Galilee, and ministered unto him and came up with him unto Jerusalem. These women "ministered unto him of their substance" Luke 8:3.
Matthew 27:55-56 confirms that the women followed him from Galilee, with whom
one was Mary Magdalene.
