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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Everyday Life • Religion

Mary Magdalene

Mary Magdalene is a figure in the New Testament who is identified as a follower of Jesus from Magdala and as one of the women present at his crucifixion, burial, and empty tomb.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Mary Magdalene is a New Testament figure from Magdala who followed Jesus and was the first witness to his resurrection. She is honoured in Christian tradition as the "Apostle to the Apostles."

What it is

Mary Magdalene appears in the canonical Gospels as a woman from Magdala who was present at Jesus's crucifixion, burial, and the discovery of the empty tomb. According to the Gospel accounts, she was the first person to see the risen Jesus.

Why it matters

Her role as the first resurrection witness makes her a key figure in Christian faith. Later tradition sometimes conflated her with other unnamed women or sinners, but modern scholarship treats her as an important early disciple whose exact biography is limited by surviving sources.

Key details

Mary Magdalene is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church, with a feast day on July 22. She is widely referenced in Canadian Christian communities, church calendars, art, and academic study of the Bible and early Christianity.

In short

  • First witness to the resurrected Jesus in the Gospels.
  • Follower of Jesus from Magdala, present at crucifixion and empty tomb.
  • Honoured as a saint and "Apostle to the Apostles."
  • Later conflation with other figures not found in the New Testament.
Canadian angle

Mary Magdalene is widely referenced in Canadian Christian communities, church calendars, art, and academic study of the Bible and early Christianity.

Quick questions

Who was Mary Magdalene?
She was a follower of Jesus from Magdala who appears in the New Testament as a witness to his crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.
Was Mary Magdalene the first person to see the resurrected Jesus?
Yes. The Gospel accounts, especially John, present her as the first witness to the risen Jesus.
Is Mary Magdalene a saint?
Yes. She is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church and has a feast day on July 22.

Sources

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Mary-Magdalene
    Supports: Mary Magdalene as a disciple of Jesus, witness to the Crucifixion and Resurrection, feast day July 22.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Magdalene
    Supports: Overview of Mary Magdalene, including traditional conflation with the sinner in Luke 7 and the title "Apostle to the Apostles".
  3. National Geographic — https://www.nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/who-was-mary-magdalene
    Supports: Canonical Gospel basis for Mary Magdalene as part of Jesus's circle and a visitor to the tomb.
  4. Smithsonian Magazine — https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/who-was-mary-magdalene-119565482/
    Supports: Mary Magdalene as present at the tomb and first witness to the resurrection in John.
  5. CBE International — https://www.cbeinternational.org/resource/frequently-asked-questions-about-mary-magdalene/
    Supports: Mary Magdalene in all four Gospels and the early Christian title "apostle of the apostles."