Why Was "Mary Magdalene" the First Witness of the Resurrection?
Explores the reasons why Mary Magdalene was the first to witness Jesus’ resurrection from the perspectives of historical evidence, faithfulness of love, the new Eve, and the impartiality of the Gospel.
If one were to pick the most significant event in Christian history, it would undoubtedly be the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But do you remember who the ‘No. 1 witness’ of this amazing news was? It was not Peter, nor John the beloved disciple. It was Mary Magdalene.
Considering the social background of the time, this was a highly unconventional and ‘strange’ choice. Why did the resurrected Jesus appear to Mary Magdalene first? We explore the deep theological reasons and historical truth behind it.
1. The Power of Historical Evidence: The “Criterion of Embarrassment”
In 1st-century Jewish and Roman society, the legal status of women was very low. The Jewish historian Josephus recorded that “the testimony of women is not reliable,” and it was not accepted as valid evidence in court.
Here, historians pose an important question: If the resurrection story was a ‘fabricated tale’ made up by the disciples, why would they put forward a woman—whose testimony had no effect—as the first eyewitness? It would have been much more persuasive to make an authoritative male, like Peter, the protagonist.
The reason the Bible recorded Mary as the first witness, directly defying the prejudices of the time, is simple: because it was an undeniable fact. In historiography, this is called the ‘Criterion of Embarrassment,’ and it serves as powerful evidence supporting the truthfulness of the record.
2. ‘Faithfulness of Love’ That Stayed Until the End
When Jesus suffered, most of the male disciples, who had been so bold, fled in fear. But Mary Magdalene was different. She stayed by the horrific scene of the cross until the end and was there even at the moment Jesus was buried.
On the morning of the resurrection, while it was still dark at dawn, she was the first to run to the tomb with spices. She did not go expecting the resurrection. It was because of an ‘earnest love’ that wanted to pay the last respects to her deceased Teacher.
Theologically, the resurrection did not first come to ‘the one who knew the most,’ but to ‘the one who loved most deeply and remained until the end.’ Jesus responded to Mary’s faithful devotion toward Him and called her name tenderly.
3. ‘The New Eve’: The Great Reversal from Death to Life
According to the traditions of the church fathers and theological interpretations, Mary Magdalene being the first to witness the resurrection is a ‘holy reversal’ that overturns the history of humanity’s fall.
If in the Garden of Eden a woman (Eve) first brought news of death, now in the garden of the resurrection, a woman (Mary) was the first to proclaim news of eternal life. St. Thomas Aquinas explained this as “a woman washing away the disgrace and curse that had been inflicted on humanity and announcing the dawn of the resurrection.”
Mary thus became the ‘Eve of a new era’ and a conduit for delivering life.
4. ‘The Impartiality of the Gospel’ That Breaks Barriers
Jesus choosing Mary Magdalene symbolizes the ‘barrier-breaking character’ of the Gospel.
From a social barrier perspective, He made her the first proclaimer in an era when women’s voices were being erased.
From a spiritual barrier perspective, she was a person who had suffered extremely from being possessed by ‘seven demons’ in the past.
The world might have seen her as small and lacking, but God delivered the greatest news through a person the world pushed aside. This is a powerful message showing that God’s redemptive work is open to everyone regardless of gender, social status, or past wounds.
Closing
This story resonates with us today as well. Even if the world does not remember your name, the resurrected Lord knows your name, just as He called Mary’s name.
The fact that the first joy of the resurrection comes to those who are wounded but do not give up on love—that is the warmest message of the resurrection that Mary Magdalene passes on to us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jesus appear to Mary Magdalene first?
Mary Magdalene showed a faithfulness of love by staying by the cross and the tomb until the end, and Jesus chose her as the first witness of the resurrection, transcending the social prejudices of the time.
Why is it historically significant that a woman was the first witness?
In 1st-century society, a woman’s testimony was lowly regarded. If the story had been fabricated, it would have been difficult to put a woman forward as the first witness. Thus, this record is often cited as evidence supporting the historicity of the resurrection.
Why is Mary Magdalene seen as a "New Eve"?
Because while news of death entered through Eve, in the garden of the resurrection, Mary is understood as the woman who first proclaimed the news of life.