A four part series of Bible studies by Pastor Stephen.
See also:
- Study 1: Mary, the Mother of our Lord
- Study 3: Claudia, wife of Pontius Pilate
- Study 4: The Daughters of Jerusalem
Study 2: Mary Magdalene
Saint Mary Magdalene by Carlo Dolci [1660-70]
Some Background
No woman in Jesus’ life has sparked so much imaginative speculation and controversy as Mary Magdalene. The apocryphal (discredited) Gospel attributed to her has enjoyed wide appeal as an alternative (and much juicier) history about Jesus’ life – and has been hugely exploited by the media. It is easy in this case to the dismiss most of this saucy speculation as false, as the early fathers of the church quickly did in the first and second centuries, riddled as it is with details and information known to be factually incorrect.
There is great popular confusion about Mary and her role in Jesus’ ministry. She has been wrongly thought by many to have been a prostitute – indeed the prostitute who came in and anointed Jesus feet with perfume in Luke 7:36-50. This sensual and highly personal act of devotion has been romanticised and sexualised in a lot of popular ideas about Mary over the centuries. However there is no indication anywhere that this was Mary Magdalene. The confusion may have arisen from the similar anointing of Jesus at Bethany by another Mary (the sister of Lazarus and Martha) in John 12.
Likewise with the tradition of Mary being the woman Jesus saves from stoning in John 8. There is no indication that this was Mary Magdalene.
Luther affectionately dubbed Mary “The Apostle to the Apostles”. The words apostle means “one sent”. She was the first witness of the resurrection (in John 20) and was sent to tell the 12 about it.
- What messages do you get from the above painting of Mary Magdalene?
Mary Magdalene and the Passion
Read Luke 8:1-3:
- What do we learn about the length and quality Mary’s discipleship here?
- What would she have seen and heard over her time following Jesus?
- Mary’s presence at so many points in Jesus’ life speaks of a great bond with and dedication to Jesus. What kind of experience may have forged such a bond?
Read Mark 15:40-41:
- What impression of the situation do you get from Mark here?
- What surprises you about the scene Mark describes?
- Who is noticeably missing from this scene?
- What might have led to a deeper acceptance of Jesus’ death on the part of those present?
Read John 20:1-18:
- What is the significance of Mary Magdalene coming to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body?
- What is revealed about the nature of Mary’s relationship with Jesus in this passage?
- What does Mary call Jesus in verses 13 and 16?
- What significance is there in Jesus speaking Mary’s name in verse 16?
Reflection
- As you meditate on these three passages what over all picture emerges for you of this woman?
- How do you find yourself feeling towards her?
- How is she like you?
- What things about her would you like to develop in your own life?
- When has Jesus already, and when will he again address you by your name?
- Why has Mary become such iconic female disciple of Jesus?
Some thoughts to consider or notes for study leader
Luke 8:1-3
Mary has been with Jesus pretty much from an early stage in his ministry. She has committed herself over a very long period in difficult circumstances – being a woman following a rabbi she was on the outer of a male circle.
She would have heard Jesus teaching, including his passion predictions and seen his miracles. She has seen almost as much as the 12 disciples themselves.
This is a bond of deep friendship growing out of what Jesus has done for her – delivering her from demonic possession.
Mark 15:40-41
Mark shows us a very female dominated scene – the women have stayed to follow through to the end. Had they listened on a deeper level than the others? Do they somehow get it – that Jesus must die? Or was it that women were considered “harmless” by the Jews and Romans?
The 12 are missing – why? Did they think it was over? They would have been in danger as Jesus’ “gang” too.
The 12 were still largely thinking about some kind of glorious military coup – the coming of the kingdom. This clearly colours their expectations – the women may have been freer from this and able to hear what Jesus was saying at a deeper level.
John 20:1-18
Anointing of a body is intimate. Only family and very close friends did this for a person. It bespeaks great love and devotion for Jesus’ bodily needs – during his life, but also after his death.
There is a great love and affection here, but it is beyond the romantic. It is a distinctly feminine kind of devotion to Jesus.
Mary calls Jesus “Lord” and “Rabboni” – showing that she holds him in high regard, worships him.
A teacher would not ordinarily address a woman by her name – it denotes intimacy and equality to use a person’s given name and usually would have happened only within the family.
Reflection thoughts
A picture emerges of a Mary having a deep love and devotion to Jesus, which was not romantic, but very tender and attentive.
Jesus “spoke our name” at our baptism – and our name is written in the book of life. He will greet us by name when we meet him face to face.
Mary was ever present in Jesus’ ministry and yet we know little about her. Myths of her being promiscuous or a harlot have added to the imagination. She is a distinctly female disciple of Jesus.