Mary Magdalene
Teachers
Lesson Summary
The class began by introducing Mary Magdalene as a figure who experienced profound transformation, first noted in Luke 8:2 where Jesus cast out seven demons from her. The teacher then guided the group through a chronological overview of Mary’s appearances in the Gospels, showing how she was present at the crucifixion (Mark 15:40, Matthew 27:56, John 19:25), observed the empty tomb alongside other women (Mark 16:1‑11, Matthew 28:1‑10, Luke 24:1‑11), and ultimately encountered the risen Christ in John 20:1‑18. The discussion emphasized the uniqueness of Mary’s encounter: she was the first to see the resurrected Lord, recognize Him by name, and receive His commission to announce "I have seen the Lord" to the disciples. The teacher highlighted that this made Mary the first messenger of the resurrection gospel, underscoring her pivotal role in early Christian witness. The class concluded by reflecting on the implications of Mary’s story for believers today, urging participants to embody the same hope and boldness in sharing the good news. The teacher connected Mary’s experience to the broader theme of encountering God’s love and the call to be witnesses, encouraging the congregation to let the hope of the resurrection transform their daily lives.
Key Scriptures
Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb while it was still dark, and saw the stone already removed from the tomb. So she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, 'They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they have put him.' So Peter and the other disciple left, and they were going to the tomb. The two were running together, and the other disciple ran ahead, faster than Peter, and came to the tomb first. And he stooped to look in and saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and he entered the tomb. And he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had first reached the tomb, also entered, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes. But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white, seated where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head and one at the feet. And they said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping? She said to them, 'They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have put him.' When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?' She thought it was the gardener. He said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?' She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, 'Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.' Jesus said to her, 'Mary.' She turned and said to him, 'Rabboni!' (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, 'Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, 'I have seen the Lord,' and that he had said these things to her.