ere is a
fact that few people seem to know: The Bible never explicitly says that Mary
Magdalene was ever a prostitute at any point in her life. By comparison with the
other women in Jesus'following, Mary Madalene "alone stands out undefined by a
designation attaching her to some male as wife, mother, or daughter and she is
the only one to be identifiable by her place of birth". It is, however, that in the gospel of John, that Mary Magdalen appears as one of the several women of faith, and Unequivocally as the first witness of the Empty Tomib and of the Risen Christ, the cornerstone of Christian belief the first recipient of all apostolic commission, she becomes not only the herald of the "New Life," but also the first apostle.
"And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance." The Greek version says "them" inferring the 12 were also supported by the women
They are also referred to in Mark (I 5:40) "There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.
When Martha had complained for serving help Jesus indicates she has a pivotal role to play Luke 10:41: " Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." This could be interest in his teachings, but sounds also like the role of partner.
In the ancient world nearly everyone had two names and often titles or aliases as well. Greek was the universal language and nealy everyone had a name in his 'or her' own native tounge. Thomas was the Aramaic and Didymus the Greek for 'a twin'. Tabitha was the Aramic and Dorcas the Greek for 'a gazelle'. When Jesus saw Simon, as he was then called, he said to him; "Your name is Simon; but you are going to be called Cephas, which means a rock." Peter and Cephas are not different names; rather, the same name in a different language. In the Old Testament names were given by God and a change of name often denoted a change in relationship to God. For example, Abram became Abraham , Jacob became Israel. Sarai became Sarah, which means princess; for "She shall be a mother of nations, kings of people shall be of her." Also, James and John became the "Sons of thunder", so named by Jesus. Daniel became also Belteshazzar, so named by the king of babylon. Saul became Paul. All of these people are called by their various names at different times and places throughout the scriptures. The name Magdalene means 'tower of the flock'. Mary of Bethany, Mary the sister of Martha, and Mary Magdalene are the same woman. Further, this woman is the Samaritian woman Jesus met at the well of Jacob and the woman with the alabaster jar which annonted the Messiah. 'Messiah' means 'the annointed one' and Mary knew something of the Lord's coming temptation in the final week which the other disciples seemed ignorant of.