Mary Magdalene and the Other Women With Jesus

Mary Magdalene was one of the women who traveled with and ministered to Jesus and perhaps the other apostles from their resources.

When the bible talks about Jesus sending the apostles out none of the women are mentioned as being sent out.

When Jesus sent the seventy out, none of the women are mentioned by name or sex/gender as being sent out.

The Bible records that Mary Magdalene was one of the women who came early the first day of the week and eventually learned about Jesus resurrection (Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8). Matthew 28:1-8 and Mark 16:1-8 records how an angel spoke with them instructing them to go tell the disciples that Jesus is going to Galilee, thereby implying they should meet him there. Mark 16:5 uses the term young man instead of angel, however.

Matthew 28:9-10 records that Jesus appeared unto all of them as they departed and instructed all of them to go and tell his brethen that he is going to Galilee. Jesus repeated what the angel had said unto them. Matthew 16:9-11 emphasizes Jesus first appearing to Mary Magdalene and his interaction with her. However, Matthew shows that Jesus appeared to all of them. There is no contradiction as Mark just told to mention Mary Magdalene and Matthew chose to include them all. This means no doctrinal conclusion should be drawn as to Mary Magdalene having a more important role than the other women with respect to Jesus.

Mark 16:11-12 goes on to mention two disciples who Jesus appeared to before meeting the group in Galilee. These are unnamed so we do not know if they were two of the apostles or others.

John 20:1-10 records the women coming to the sepulchre and learning of Jesus resurrection. Thy went and told Peter and others. Peter and others and at least Mary Magdalene but probably all the women returned to the sepulchre.

John 20:11-18 records that Jesus speaks to Mary Magdalene what seems to be a second time and seems to be alone. It is there that Jesus speaks to her about telling his disciples about his impending ascension which she did (John 20:17-18).

But note in none of this does Jesus tell Mary Magdalene or any of the other women to preach/teach. There is no biblical record of any of those women preaching/teaching before a congregation.

There is no mention of Mary Magdalene or any of the other women preaching/teaching before a congregation. They certainly witnessed his resurrection and spoke of him like every believer is to do. They certainly carried the message of truth to others like every believer is to do.

References:

Of Male Headship and Women in Ministry

Categories
Church Organization and Worship

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