What do the canonical gospel accounts (i.e. Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John) tell us about Mary Magdalene?
She was the first to see Jesus after his crucifixion. She was called the “apostle to the apostles”. She was an important disciple. (She was probably a woman with independent means.) 2. In the nearly 2000 years since she lived, Mary Magdalene has been confused with other gospel women. Who were these other women? • Mary mother of James • Mary mother of Jesus • Unnamed prostitute who anointed Jesus with expensive ointment. (She performed a ritual action on the savior. She is the truly righteous and holy person, even though she may have been seen as a sinner.) 3. Contrast the responses of two of the male disciples regarding Mary Magdalene’s recounting of her vision of Jesus in the Gospel of Mary. Andrew and Peter condemmed her for lying. They did not believe that Jesus would appear to her and not them. Levi believed her. He asked who the other disciples thought they were to question the Lord’s decision to appear to Mary. Mary Magdalene in Western Art The iconography ( objects associated wi
