John 19:25 Mary Magdalene

Mary Magdalene

One of the most speculated about people in the NT.

1)      The gospel of Mary was not written by Mary Magdalene or any other Mary of the Bible. The Gnostic teachings found in the gospel of Mary date it to the late 2nd century A.D. at the earliest. As a result, there is no validity to its teachings. Similar to the gospel of Thomas, the gospel of Philip, and the gospel of Judas, the gospel of Mary is a Gnostic forgery, using the name of a biblical character in an attempt to give validity to heretical teachings. The only value in studying the gospel of Mary is in learning what heresies existed in the early centuries of the Christian church.

2)      The Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown) invents a scenario where Mary and Jesus were married and had a child. Nothing in scripture or history supports this fiction.

3)      It has been speculated that she was a prostitute, but there is nothing in scripture to support that claim.

Luke 8:1-3 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, ² and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 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.

1)      Mary traveled with Jesus and his followers

2)      Jesus had cast 7 demons out of her

3)      She helped to support the ministry

John 19:25 Therefore the soldiers did these things. But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
            Mary stood by Jesus at the crucifixion.

Mark 15:47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were looking on to see where He was laid.
            Mary followed Joseph of Arimathea to the tomb.
John 20:1-18
            Mary was the first person to whom Jesus appeared after His resurrection.
And they, when they had heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, did not believe it” (Mark 16:9–11).

Characteristics of Mary Magdalene (examples)
Loyalty
Didn’t give up
Supported Jesus by her following and her money
Obedient – “Go” – she went!
She knew both Blessings and hardships in following Jesus
What can we learn about our Lord from Mary’s story?
He delivered Mary from her demons
He allowed her to face hardship even after she did what she was supposed to do.

He used her to deliver the most important message ever (He had risen!)