Mark 16:9
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)
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Jesus' first appearance after His resurrection wasn't to a powerful leader or even His mother, but to Mary Magdalene, emphasizing that His new life was first revealed to someone who had known profound brokenness. This choice highlights God's radical grace and His preference for revealing His glory through the marginalized and those restored from deep spiritual bondage.
The women found the tomb empty and were told by an angel that Jesus had risen, but they fled in fear and told no one. Shortly after, Jesus himself appeared first to Mary Magdalene, a woman deeply impacted by his healing power, before revealing himself to others. This initial appearance to Mary, who had been delivered from seven demons, highlights Jesus' compassion and grace, prioritizing a devoted follower who was previously in such need.
Why would the very first appearance of the risen Christ be to Mary Magdalene, a woman from whom Jesus had cast out seven demons?
It’s a profound statement about God’s heart. The resurrection wasn't first revealed to the most powerful leaders or the most devoted disciples, but to Mary. This wasn't because of her status or achievements, but because Jesus saw her, and her deep need.
A Deep Past, A New Beginning
The detail that Jesus had cast out seven demons from Mary (mentioned also in Luke 8:2) isn't just background color. It highlights the depth of her past brokenness and the immense grace she had already received from Jesus.
God's Priority: The Marginalized
Jesus consistently elevated those on the margins: women, the poor, the outcast. His first post-resurrection appearance to Mary underscores this radical, upside-down kingdom where grace abounds most where sin had abounded most, and where the first to be commissioned are those who have been most profoundly delivered.
The resurrection appearances were not just for comfort, but for a mission. What did seeing the risen Jesus mean for Mary?
Mary wasn't just a passive observer of the resurrection; she was its very first herald. Jesus' appearance to her wasn't merely a personal encounter but a divine appointment to share the most critical news in history.
From Grief to Proclamation
She was at the tomb, mourning, perhaps still expecting to anoint a dead body. But Jesus met her in her grief and transformed her sorrow into ecstatic joy and a burning desire to tell others. Her mission was immediate: to go and tell the disciples.
Credibility Through Encounter
Though the disciples would initially dismiss her testimony as "idle tales," her encounter with Jesus gave her the authority and the courage to speak. Her first-hand experience of the living Christ was the foundation for her message.
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.
Jesus' first appearance after His resurrection was to Mary Magdalene, a woman He had dramatically healed. This choice highlights His compassion and His tendency to reveal Himself to those considered least significant by human standards.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus' Crucifixion and Burial
Jesus is crucified and then buried in a tomb. This event marks the culmination of His earthly ministry and the prelude to His resurrection.
c. AD 30
Women Visit the Empty Tomb
On the first day of the week, women including Mary Magdalene arrive at Jesus' tomb to anoint His body but find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty.
c. AD 30
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
Jesus reveals Himself to Mary Magdalene near the empty tomb. She had previously been delivered by Jesus from seven demons, as recorded in Luke 8:2.
c. AD 30
Mary Magdalene Tells the Disciples
Mary Magdalene goes to inform the disciples of her encounter with the risen Jesus, but they initially disbelieve her report.
This passage explicitly states that Jesus cast seven demons out of Mary Magdalene, highlighting the significant spiritual restoration she experienced before encountering the risen Christ.
John 20:11-18This account provides a more detailed narrative of Jesus' appearance to Mary Magdalene at the tomb, emphasizing her initial grief and confusion turning to joy upon recognizing Him.
Matthew 28:9This verse also mentions Jesus appearing to the women, including Mary Magdalene, shortly after His resurrection, reinforcing the significance of her being among the first witnesses.
1 Corinthians 15:3-8This passage lists Mary Magdalene as one of the witnesses to the resurrected Christ, framing her experience within the broader testimony of the early church about Jesus' resurrection.
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…
Jesus' first appearance after His resurrection wasn't to a powerful leader or even His mother, but to Mary Magdalene, emphasizing that His new life was first revealed to someone who had known profound brokenness. This choice highlights God's radical grace and His preference for revealing His glory through the marginalized and those restored from deep spiritual bondage.
The women found the tomb empty and were told by an angel that Jesus had risen, but they fled in fear and told no one. Shortly after, Jesus himself appeared first to Mary Magdalene, a woman deeply impacted by his healing power, before revealing himself to others. This initial appearance to Mary, who had been delivered from seven demons, highlights Jesus' compassion and grace, prioritizing a devoted follower who was previously in such need.
The women found the tomb empty and were told by an angel that Jesus had risen, but they fled in fear and told no one. Shortly after, Jesus himself appeared first to Mary Magdalene, a woman deeply impacted by his healing power, before revealing himself to others. This initial appearance to Mary, who had been delivered from seven demons, highlights Jesus' compassion and grace, prioritizing a devoted follower who was previously in such need.
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c. AD 30
Jesus Appears to Other Disciples
Jesus subsequently appears to other disciples, including the two on the road to Emmaus and later to the eleven, gradually convincing them of His resurrection.
"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." — Jesus' first appearance after His resurrection wasn't to a powerful leader or even His mother, but to Mary Magdalene, emphasizing that His new life was first revealed to someone who had known profoun…
