Saint Mary Magdalene
Basic Info
The Bible supports that Mary Magdalene was a close disciple, or follower, of Jesus. She was present at the Crucifixion, the burial, and finding Jesus’ tomb empty. According to John’s Gospel, Mary Magdalene met Jesus in the garden near the empty tomb but at first thought he was a gardener. In this story, Jesus asks her not to grasp at his physical presence ("Noli me tangere!"). Luke mentions that Jesus drove seven demons out of her.
In recent years, many questions have been raised about Mary Magdalene. Some have claimed that she was Jesus’ wife or that she bore him a child. Others have claimed that she was the one Jesus really left in charge of the Church but that the men suppressed her and took over. As of this writing, most well-respected biblical scholars do not think that either of these claims is true; the evidence used to support the arguments was written long after Mary Magdalene's and Jesus’ deaths.
Beginning in the 7th century, Western Christian theologians taught that Mary Magdalene was the same person as a) Mary of Bethany, who anointed Jesus just before his entry into Jerusalem (John 12:1–8); b) the unnamed woman whom Jesus prevented from being stoned to death as an adulteress; and c) the prostitute who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair before anointing them while he was dining with the Pharisee (Luke 7:36–50). Twentieth-century scholars challenged that conflation. The Roman Catholic Church has retracted its identification of Mary Magdalene as a penitent sinner. Eastern Christianity (Orthodoxy) never thought of Mary Magdalene as a penitent sinner but has always treated her as a significant disciple of Jesus Christ. The Protestant traditions have likewise treated her as an important disciple.
The three most common depictions of Mary Magdalene in the art tradition are at the foot of Jesus’ cross, often with her arms wrapped around it; with the resurrected Jesus in the garden; and as a penitent sinner. The first two are no problem today, but the third presents difficulties. Even though Mary Magdalene is no longer thought of as a repentant prostitute, many artworks depict her as just that, and no one is willing to dispose of the artworks that misrepresent her. One option is to continue to appreciate depictions of Mary Magdalene’s penitence. Christianity teaches that all human beings are sinners, so we can see Mary as repenting for the normal sins of everyday life rather than as repenting for the sin of prostitution. Mary's penitence often takes the form of praying in her cave, often clothed only in her floor-length hair. She is sometimes depicted as unkempt, as if she had been spending so much time in prayer and reflection that she took no time for her former alleged vanity.
What to Look For
- Which story is depicted (Crucifixion, burial, Noli me tangere, penitence, stories of one of the other women Mary was identified as for so many years)
- Mary’s physical appearance (beauty, clothing, gaze, hands, hair, posture, etc.)
- If Jesus is present, Mary’s relationship with Jesus
- Mary’s emotional state
- Environment (cave, garden, tomb, etc.)
Questions to Focus a General Interpretation
Mary Magdalene was probably the most important woman in Jesus’ life after his mother. Does the artwork reflect this in any way?
Does the artwork seem to emphasize Mary’s devotion, her understanding of Jesus’ teachings, or her penitence?
Questions to Guide a Personal Response
Does this artwork offer you any symbols of discipleship that call you to live differently?
Questions to Suggest a Historical Response
Because Mary was a close disciple of Jesus Christ, she is sometimes set forth as a model for women. What might have been going on in the society of the artist’s day that would have made this depiction of Mary Magdalene relevant?
A Reflection on an Artwork Depicting Mary Magdalene as a Penitent
