Mary Magdalene is one of the best-known people in the Gospels, and one of the most frequently confused.
Her name is often attached to claims the biblical text does not make. She is sometimes treated as the unnamed woman in Luke 7, or as Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. Those identifications became influential in parts of Western Christian tradition, but the Gospels do not explicitly make either connection.
A better starting point is simple: read the passages that name Mary Magdalene and pay attention to what they actually say.
What the Gospels say about Mary Magdalene
Luke introduces Mary Magdalene among the women who travelled with Jesus and supported his ministry. Luke says that seven demons had gone out from her, and names Joanna and Susanna alongside her. It also says that these women helped support Jesus and the Twelve from their own resources. Read Luke 8:1–3
That gives us a clear picture of Mary Magdalene as a follower of Jesus, not a background character who appears only at the end of the story.
The Gospels also place her at key moments around Jesus’ death and resurrection. In John’s account, Mary remains outside the tomb weeping. Jesus speaks her name, and she recognizes him. He then tells her to go to his disciples; Mary goes with the news that she has seen the Lord. Read John 20:11–18
That is why Mary Magdalene is remembered as a witness to the resurrection. The Catholic Church’s 2016 decree raising her July 22 observance to a feast describes her as the first witness of the risen Lord and notes that the day remains July 22. Read the decree
What the Gospels do not say
The Gospels do not call Mary Magdalene a prostitute.
They also do not explicitly identify her with the unnamed woman who anoints Jesus in Luke 7, or with Mary of Bethany. Those figures have been connected in later traditions, especially in the West. The Vatican’s explanatory note on the 2016 feast describes that history of conflation and explains that the modern Roman calendar observes July 22 specifically for Mary of Magdala. Read the explanatory note
This does not mean every Christian tradition tells the story in exactly the same way. It does mean a Bible study should distinguish between what a passage says, later interpretation, and a claim that has simply been repeated so often that it feels biblical.
A short Mary Magdalene reading plan
For a focused study, read these passages in order:
- Luke 8:1–3: Mary is named among the women accompanying and supporting Jesus.
- John 20:1–18: Mary comes to the tomb, encounters the risen Jesus, and brings news to the disciples.
- Luke 7:36–50: Read the unnamed woman on her own terms; notice that the passage does not supply Mary Magdalene’s name.
- John 11:1–2 and 12:1–8: Read about Mary of Bethany and note the details John gives her.
As you read, ask: What does this text tell me? What does it leave unsaid? Am I bringing an assumption from another passage, tradition, sermon, film, or novel?
Continue the conversation carefully
If you want to reflect on these passages in a conversational format, you can chat with Mary Magdalene in Text With Jesus. Use it to form questions, revisit the Gospel accounts, or prepare for a discussion with your church or study group.
Keep the text open while you do. Mary Magdalene’s story is clearest when the Gospels lead the conversation.