The Great Three Days From Mary Magdalene’s Perspective
Have you ever wondered what it felt like to be present on that first Easter morning when Jesus Christ rose from the dead? Imagine walking through Jerusalem as the first rays of dawn streak across the sky. The cool morning air, the quiet streets, and the weight of grief still fresh from Friday’s events.
This was Mary Magdalene’s experience as she made her way to Jesus’ tomb. With burial spices in hand, she journeyed through the early morning, her heart heavy but determined. You can almost picture her wiping away tears, listening for any sounds of danger in the pre-dawn darkness, and gathering her courage with each step forward.
When grieving someone you love deeply, even simple tasks require tremendous effort. For Mary, this morning walk would become the journey that changed everything - not just for her, but for all of humanity.
A Devoted Follower
Before you journey through Mary’s Easter experience, it’s helpful to understand who this remarkable woman was. In the Gospel accounts, Mary Magdalene is one of Jesus’ most devoted followers. Contrary to popular misconceptions, she wasn’t a repentant prostitute but rather a faithful disciple who had been healed by Jesus and subsequently supported his ministry.
Scripture tells us, “After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out…” (Luke 8:1-2).
Her role as a devoted follower and witness to Jesus' resurrection made her a significant figure in the early church.
Her unwavering commitment is evident throughout Jesus’ ministry, but it shines most brilliantly during his darkest hours. While many disciples fled in fear, Mary remained steadfast:
- She stood witness at the crucifixion: “Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons” (Matthew 27:55-56).
- She observed where Jesus was buried: “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb” (Matthew 27:61).
- She returned to the tomb early Sunday morning: “Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance” (John 20:1).
This steadfast faithfulness positioned her to become one of the first witnesses to the most pivotal event in history. When you think about courage and commitment, Mary’s example stands as inspiration for your own faith journey.
The Journey to the Empty Tomb
Can you imagine Mary’s mindset that Sunday morning? The Sabbath had passed, and now she could properly tend to Jesus’ body with spices and ointments according to Jewish burial customs. In first-century Judea, burial was extremely important, and bodies were typically anointed with aromatic spices like myrrh and aloes to counteract the odor of decomposition and show respect for the deceased.
As she walked through the holy land, the weight of grief and the significance of the place added to her emotional burden.
Her love for her teacher propelled her forward despite the obvious dangers. Jerusalem in the days following Passover remained under heightened Roman surveillance. The city was still processing the execution of Jesus — a man Pontius Pilate had publicly labeled “King of the Jews,” a politically charged title that threatened Roman authority. The disciples had gone into hiding “for fear of the Jewish leaders” (John 20:19), knowing that associating with a condemned criminal could mark them as targets for arrest.
For a woman to travel alone in pre-dawn darkness carried even greater risk. According to historian Lynn Cohick, women in first-century Palestine rarely ventured out unaccompanied, especially before daylight. They were vulnerable to robbery, assault, or accusations of impropriety. Yet Mary’s commitment overcame her fear.
When she arrived, the unexpected greeted her. The massive stone — typically weighing between one and two tons according to archaeological findings by Rousseau and Arav — had been rolled away. The tomb was empty. Where was Jesus? How would you have reacted to finding an empty tomb when you were expecting to perform burial rituals?
From Despair to Divine Encounter
Mary’s initial reaction reveals her humanity — and likely mirrors how you might have reacted in her place. She didn’t immediately assume resurrection. As theologian N.T. Wright points out in his extensive research on resurrection beliefs, no one in first-century Judaism expected a resurrection before the end of time. Instead, her mind went to the most logical explanation: someone had moved the body.
John’s Gospel captures her distress after Jesus rose, “So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him’” (John 20:2).
After Peter and John investigated and departed, Mary remained alone. The Gospel of John describes this poignant scene, “Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot” (John 20:11-12).
The angels address her grief directly: “They asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying?’ ‘They have taken my Lord away,’ she said, ‘and I don’t know where they have put him’” (John 20:13).
It’s in this moment of raw grief that something extraordinary happened.
“At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’ Thinking he was the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him’” (John 20:14-15).
Her mistaking Jesus for a gardener reflects not only her tear-blurred vision but perhaps also Jesus’ transformed appearance after resurrection. Biblical scholar Richard Bauckham suggests that this moment carries beautiful symbolism — the risen Christ appeared in a garden, reminiscent of Eden, as the gardener of the new creation.
Then came the moment that changed everything. Jesus simply said, “Mary.”
One word. Her name. And suddenly, recognition dawned. The familiar voice of her teacher pierced through her grief, and she responded with the Aramaic word “Rabboni” (which means “Teacher”) (John 20:16).
Have you ever experienced a moment when someone’s voice alone was enough to change everything? When the simple sound of your name spoken by someone you love broke through confusion or grief? This is the power of personal recognition that Mary experienced on that first Easter morning.
The First Evangelist
What happens next is revolutionary. Jesus commissioned Mary with the first proclamation of the resurrection, “Jesus said, ‘Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God” (John 20:17).
Think about this for a moment. In a culture where women’s testimony held little legal weight, Jesus entrusted Mary Magdalene with the most important news in history. As many biblical scholars note, this choice was countercultural and significant. Harvard theologian Karen King points out that this role earned Mary the honorary title “apostle to the apostles” in many Christian traditions — the first to proclaim the risen Christ.
At this pivotal moment, Mary Magdalene teaches the disciples about the resurrection and becomes the first to spread the good news.
She didn’t hesitate. John 20:18 tells us, “Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: ‘I have seen the Lord!’ And she told them that he had said these things to her.”
Imagine being in Mary’s position — the first human to share the news that would transform the world. The first to declare that death had been defeated and Christ had risen. In many ways, Mary became the very first Christian evangelist, entrusted with the message that forms the foundation of Christian faith.
When you share your faith today, you’re following in Mary Magdalene’s footsteps as a witness to Christ’s transformative power.
Finding Your Easter Moment
Mary’s Easter experience wasn’t just a historical event; it serves as an example for your own spiritual journey. You will face moments of grief when hope seems lost. You will encounter times when God seems absent. And you will have the opportunity to experience the transformative power of being called by Christ.
The events surrounding Mary’s attendance at that first Easter morning, and her interaction with the risen Jesus serve as a source of hope for everyone who encounters grief, depression, or despair.
- When You're Weeping at the Tomb: Like Mary, you may find yourself facing a situation that seems to represent loss or disappointment. Mary Magdalene's grief at the tomb was a pivotal moment that led to her transformative encounter with the risen Christ.
- When You Don't Recognize the Risen Jesus: Have you ever failed to recognize God’s presence in your circumstances? Mary initially mistook Jesus for a gardener. You too might overlook Christ’s presence because He doesn’t appear in the way you expected. In early Christianity, Mary Magdalene's encounter with the risen Jesus was a significant event that shaped theological understandings of resurrection and discipleship, and it didn’t happen the way anyone would have expected. Your encounter with Christ may not either.
- When He Calls Your Name: The pivotal moment for Mary was hearing Jesus speak her name. The time Mary Magdalene heard Jesus call her name was a moment of personal transformation and recognition. What areas of your life need that personal touch from Christ? Where do you need Him to call you by name?
- When You're Commissioned to Share: After encountering the risen Christ, Mary was immediately given a purpose — to share the good news. According to tradition, Mary Magdalene traveled to southern France to continue her missionary work, spreading the message of Jesus' resurrection. Your encounters with Jesus should similarly propel you outward to share what you’ve experienced with others. This “sending” is part of the resurrection pattern. Just as Mary proclaimed, “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18), your testimony of Christ’s work in your life can become a powerful witness
Mary Magdalene's experience reminds us that the resurrection isn’t just a historical fact to acknowledge — it’s a transformative reality to experience. The empty tomb isn’t just something that happened in Jerusalem centuries ago — it’s a promise that echoes in our present circumstances.
What Mary's Experience Teaches You
Mary Magdalene's life, marked by her own faith and dedication, offers insights for your own faith walk. Here are a few examples of what this might mean for you:
- Faithful Presence Matters: While others fled, Mary remained present through Jesus’ suffering, burial, and resurrection. Her faithfulness positioned her to witness the miracle. When you choose to stay present in difficult circumstances rather than running away, you position yourself to see God’s work unfold.
- Love Persists Beyond Logic: Mary’s love for Jesus drove her to the tomb despite the apparent finality of death after Jesus died. Love often leads you beyond what seems reasonable. When you continue to love and serve even when circumstances suggest it’s futile, you make space for miraculous things to happen.
- Recognition Comes Through Relationship: Mary recognized Jesus not by his appearance but by the way he spoke her name. Your relationship with Christ allows you to recognize His presence in your life.
- Your Calling Is to Witness: Like Mary, once you’ve encountered the risen Christ, you’re commissioned to share this transformative news with others. After the resurrection, Mary Magdalene fled from Jerusalem to spread the message of Jesus, demonstrating her commitment to her calling.
In choosing Mary as the first witness, Jesus challenged societal norms. Throughout biblical history, God consistently works through unexpected people, and this pattern continues today. No matter your background or societal status, God can use you powerfully as a witness to His truth.
Embracing the Resurrection
As you reflect on Easter through Mary Magdalene’s perspective, you’re invited to embrace both the grief of Good Friday and the joy of Resurrection Sunday. You’re challenged to remain faithful even when hope seems lost. And you’re commissioned, like Mary, to share the good news that changes everything – He has risen!
Mary Magdalene's life reminds us that the resurrection isn’t just a historical fact to acknowledge — it’s a transformative reality to experience. The empty tomb isn’t just something that happened in Jerusalem centuries ago — it’s a promise that echoes in our present circumstances.
When you face your own Good Fridays — those moments of loss, suffering, and despair — remember Christ’s interaction with Mary on that first Easter Sunday. Remember that grief isn’t the end of the story. Remember that after the darkness comes the dawn.