Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easily missed is that Jesus appearing first to Mary Magdalene, the one from whom He cast out seven demons, highlights God's grace. It shows His resurrection power extends even to those deeply broken, demonstrating that new life is offered first to the most vulnerable and in need of healing.
Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The women who went to the tomb, having been terrified by the angel's message, fled in fear and amazement without telling anyone. Later, as Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, a woman from whom He had previously cast out seven demons. This appearance to her, before any of the male disciples saw Him, highlights a significant moment in the unfolding of the resurrection account.
Imagine the scene: the world is reeling, and the most earth-shattering event has just occurred. Who is chosen to see the Risen Lord first? It might surprise you.
The resurrection of Jesus is the bedrock of our faith, and how it unfolded matters. Mark highlights that the very first person Jesus appeared to after His resurrection was Mary Magdalene.
This wasn't just any appearance; it was a deliberate choice by Christ. While the disciples had scattered in fear and disbelief, and even the other women were still processing the angelic message, Mary was given the profound privilege of seeing her Lord alive.
This emphasizes a crucial point: God often chooses the unexpected and the overlooked to reveal His greatest truths. Mary, who had been profoundly impacted by Jesus' healing power, became the first human eyewitness to His victory over death.
Jesus didn't just conquer death; He also conquered the darkness that held individuals captive. What does Mary's past reveal about God's power?
Mark adds a significant detail about Mary: 'from whom he had cast out seven demons.' This isn't a casual mention; it's a powerful testament to Jesus' redemptive work.
Before she was the first to see the Risen Christ, Mary was a woman deeply affected by demonic possession. The number 'seven' in the Bible often signifies completeness or intensity. This suggests Mary's struggle was profound.
Jesus' appearance to her first powerfully illustrates that His resurrection power is not only about overcoming death but also about complete liberation and restoration. It shows that even those who have experienced the deepest brokenness are candidates for God's greatest revelations and purposes.
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Understand the original words
daimonion · Greek Noun
Spiritual beings opposed to God and humanity who inhabit or oppress people. Casting them out demonstrates Jesus' authority over the spiritual realm and his mission to liberate the captive.
The appearance to Mary Magdalene was profoundly significant, as she was the first to witness the risen Christ, highlighting God's grace in choosing someone previously afflicted by demonic possession.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus Crucified and Buried
Jesus of Nazareth is crucified on Passover day and buried in a tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea, just before the Sabbath began.
c. AD 30
Women Visit Empty Tomb
On the first day of the week, early while it was still dark, women including Mary Magdalene arrive at the tomb to anoint Jesus' body but find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty.
c. AD 30
Angelic Messengers Speak
The women encounter angels inside the tomb who announce that Jesus has risen. They are instructed to tell the disciples, especially Peter.
c. AD 30
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene, returning to the tomb or nearby, encounters the risen Jesus. She is the first person to see Him after His resurrection.
c. AD 30
Women Report to Disciples
The women, including Mary Magdalene, tell the disciples what they saw and heard, but their account is initially disbelieved.
c. AD 30
Jesus Appears to Others
Jesus subsequently appears to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, then to the disciples (including Peter) in Jerusalem, and then to the wider group of apostles.
This passage directly identifies Mary Magdalene as the woman from whom Jesus cast out seven demons, highlighting the significance of her being the first to see the risen Christ.
John 20:11-18This passage provides a more detailed account of Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene at the tomb, offering a fuller picture of this pivotal first resurrection encounter.
Matthew 28:9-10This passage also describes Jesus appearing to the women, including Mary Magdalene, shortly after His resurrection, underscoring the priority given to women in witnessing this event.
1 Corinthians 15:3-8This foundational passage on the resurrection lists appearances to various individuals and groups, framing the appearance to Mary Magdalene within the broader testimony of Christ's risen state.
cambridgeMark 16:9: "Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils."
9–11 . The Appearance to Mary Magdalene 9 . Now when ] On this section from 9–20, see Introduction, pp. 15, 16. he appeared first ] As yet, it will be observed, no human eye had seen the risen Conqueror of Death. The holy women had seen the stone rolled away, and the empty tomb, and had heard the words of the Angels, and announced all that had occurre…
calvinMark 16:8-11: "And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid."
- And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to inform his disciples. 9. And while they went to inform his disciples, then, lo, Jesus met them, saying, Hail. [305] And they approached, and held his feet, and worshipped him. 10. Then Jesus saith to them, Fear not; go, tell my brethren to go into Gal…
What's easily missed is that Jesus appearing first to Mary Magdalene, the one from whom He cast out seven demons, highlights God's grace. It shows His resurrection power extends even to those deeply broken, demonstrating that new life is offered first to the most vulnerable and in need of healing.
The women who went to the tomb, having been terrified by the angel's message, fled in fear and amazement without telling anyone. Later, as Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, a woman from whom He had previously cast out seven demons. This appearance to her, before any of the male disciples saw Him, highlights a significant moment in the unfolding of the resurrection account.
The women who went to the tomb, having been terrified by the angel's message, fled in fear and amazement without telling anyone. Later, as Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, a woman from whom He had previously cast out seven demons. This appearance to her, before any of the male disciples saw Him, highlights a significant moment in the unfolding of the resurrection account.
"Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons." — What's easily missed is that Jesus appearing first to Mary Magdalene, the one from whom He cast out seven demons, highlights God's grace. It shows His resurrection power extends even to those deeply…
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Last reviewed October 2026