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

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Mary Magdalene

The painting depicts Mary Magdalene with long, flowing hair, draped in a regal red garment and clutching a skull — a contemporary interpretation of one of Christianity’s most enduring figures.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 14, 2026

After the service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Norfolk, the royals greeted and interacted with excited crowds who had gathered on the crisp Christmas morning.

From BBC ● Dec. 25, 2025

The drama that occurs when Erivo’s Jesus and Soo’s Mary Magdalene interact should provide the model for all the cast members to lay bare their messy human conflicts.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2025

Thus he chose to remember Hamlet’s abuse of Ophelia, but not Christ’s love of Mary Magdalene; Hamlet’s frivolous politics, but not Christ’s serious anarchy.

From "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison