Mary Magdalene: The Resurrection Testimony Patriarchy Wouldn’t Believe

When we think about the resurrection of Jesus, our minds often jump to Peter, John, or the other male disciples. But the Bible tells a different story — one that begins with a woman named Mary Magdalene.

Mary wasn’t just any follower. She was a woman once possessed by seven demons, completely broken and cast out by society. Yet, she was the very first person to witness the risen Christ, an honor that defied every social and religious expectation of her time.

This is God’s irony at its finest: the one the world dismissed became the one chosen to carry the most important testimony in history. In this post, we’ll explore how Mary Magdalene’s story challenges the assumptions about women in Christianity and shows us a Savior who values and empowers even the least likely among us.

A Woman with a Past and a Purpose

Mary Magdalene’s story begins in darkness. Luke 8:2 tells us she was “delivered from seven demons.” Seven is no random number in Scripture because it symbolizes completeness, totality. Mary was completely broken, spiritually and socially. In Jesus’ day, a woman with such a past was often shunned or dismissed. Society offered her little value or voice. But Jesus didn’t just heal Mary; He restored her dignity and gave her a new identity. This was radical. He didn’t just see Mary’s past, but He saw her potential.

The First Witness to the Resurrection

The Gospels agree: after Jesus’ resurrection, Mary Magdalene was the very first person to see Him alive (John 20:14-18; Mark 16:9). This wasn’t just a minor detail, it was revolutionary.

In the cultural context of first-century Palestine, women were considered legally and socially inferior. Women were not even allowed to testify in court because their testimony was deemed unreliable. Their voices were often silenced or ignored in public and religious life.

Yet, Jesus deliberately chose Mary, a woman to be the primary witness of the most critical event in human history: the resurrection.

This bold choice wasn’t accidental. It reflects Jesus’ radically different perspective on women. He didn’t see Mary as society did—he valued her, trusted her, and gave her a vital role in His mission.

Jesus’ relationship with Mary Magdalene is a powerful example of how He elevated women, broke cultural barriers, and affirmed their worth and dignity.

Challenging the Patriarchy

Many today feel Christianity has sidelined women, and sadly, some church traditions have perpetuated this. But the story of Mary Magdalene challenges those narratives.

Here was a woman who overcame spiritual bondage and was chosen for one of the highest honors in Scripture, announcing the resurrection, the cornerstone of Christian faith.

Jesus’ actions show a God who lifts up the lowly, breaks cultural barriers, and empowers the marginalized.

A Personal Word: What Many Women Might Not Realize

As a Christian man, I’ve seen that many women today, especially those outside the faith misunderstand just how valued they are in God's eyes. And honestly, I can’t blame them.

The Bible was written in a specific time and culture, and yes that culture was deeply patriarchal. But just because the world was like that doesn’t mean God was. Scripture reflects a broken, sinful, cursed world — but woven throughout is the heart of a Savior who constantly pushed against the cultural norms to uplift the forgotten, the outcast… and the women.

Jesus didn’t see women as second-class citizens. He spoke to them with dignity. He healed them. He defended them. And in Mary Magdalene’s case, He chose one to carry the most important message the world has ever heard. Christianity, especially in its earliest form, was far more inclusive than people realize. Ironically, when the Church was first spreading, it was women, along with social outcasts and sinners who flocked to the gospel message. Women were among the early supporters, disciples, and financial backers of Jesus' ministry (Luke 8:3). Paul mentions several female leaders in the early Church — women like Phoebe, Junia, Priscilla, and Lydia, all of whom played essential roles in building the faith.

It’s almost ironic, isn’t it? The religion so often accused of being “oppressive to women” actually started out as a radically freeing movement and one that gave voice, value, and purpose to those the world had left behind.

God’s Irony Is Always Redemptive

Mary Magdalene was once demon-possessed — but Jesus made her a messenger.

She lived in a time when women were silenced — but Jesus told her to go and tell.

She was dismissed by society — but honored by Heaven.

God’s irony isn’t meant to mock — it’s meant to redeem. It reveals that no one is too far gone, and no one is too “less than” to be used powerfully by God.

If you’ve ever felt forgotten, silenced, or disqualified… look at Mary. Jesus doesn’t just restore broken people, but He gives them a platform.