Mary Magdalene

American  

noun

1. Mary of Magdala, whom Jesus healed of possession by devils, Luke 8:2: traditionally identified with the repentant woman whom Jesus forgave. Luke 7:37–50.

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Mary Magdalene British  

noun

1. New Testament a woman of Magdala ( ˈmæɡdələ ) in Galilee whom Jesus cured of evil spirits (Luke 8:2) and who is often identified with the sinful woman of Luke 7:36–50. In Christian tradition she is usually taken to have been a prostitute. Feast day: July 22 See also magdalen

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Mary Magdalene Cultural  

1. In the Gospels, a woman who became a follower of Jesus after he drove out her demons. She is also described as a woman who was present at the Crucifixion, as an attendant at his burial, and as one of the witnesses to the discovery of the empty tomb three days later.

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According to the Gospel of Luke, Mary Magdalene is also identified with the repentant prostitute who anointed the feet of Jesus.

Example Sentences

I wasn’t offered the part of Mary Magdalene, which I wanted, but of Pontius Pilate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Davis also readily cites her mother, Mary Magdalene Duplantier, as one of her main inspirations.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2025

Phillipa Soo’s Mary Magdalene brought a probing, tentative and profound intimacy in her adoration of Erivo’s Jesus.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 4, 2025

Volunteers from the St Mary Magdalene Church food bank in Gorleston, Norfolk, were invited to the Stena Immaculate cargo vessel, which is docked at the Port of Great Yarmouth, to collect frozen meat and fish.

From BBC • May 24, 2025

I don’t want to talk about what happened at St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church, South Grove, Massachusetts, sixty-seven days after the end of sixth grade, just four days before the start of seventh grade.

From "The Thing About Jellyfish" by Ali Benjamin