Who was Mary Magdalene in the Bible?

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

Published by Bible Direct Answers · Licensed under Citation License 1.0

Mary Magdalene was a follower of Jesus named in all four Gospels; she was present at the crucifixion and, in John 20, is the first person to whom the risen Jesus appears.

John 20:16 in the King James Version reads:

Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

The verse appears in John 20, in the account of the risen Jesus appearing at the empty tomb. Read it in context at John 20:16, or the full chapter at John 20. Encyclopedia entry: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Magdalene.

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  • · Mary Magdalene resurrection

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