Mary Magdalene as Major Witness to Jesus' Resurrection

Abstract

THE TITLE of this article demands a definition of terms. Though most readers will immediately recognize Mary Magdalene as a historical person, and some may still (wrongly) identify her with woman who was a sinner (Lk 7:37), nevertheless the terms major and are often understood in different ways by diverse persons. Indeed, in first-century Judaism women were not qualified to testify in trials as witnesses (From women let no evidence be accepted, because of the levity and temerity of their sex; neither let slaves bear .. .). Thus, if witness were applied to Mary Magdalene in the legal context of those times, the title of this article would involve a contradiction in terms. Some people consider to be merely an idea or, at the other extreme, the simple resuscitation of a corpse rather than the new, transformed life for a unique person, Jesus Christ. The fact that some women, and Mary Magdalene in particular, were cited by the New Testament as witnesses for the resurrection evoked scorn from those who opposed early Christianity. Origen needed to refute the charge that belief in the risen Jesus was based on the testimony of a hysterical female, and perhaps by someone else (Peter?). In various forms this prejudice against accepting women as witnesses has continued through the centuries. For instance, Ernest Renan built up Mary Mag-