Topical Bible: Women: First to Whom the Risen Lord Appeared

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In the narrative of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Gospels highlight the significant role of women as the first witnesses to the risen Lord. This event underscores the value and dignity accorded to women within the Christian faith, as they were chosen to be the initial bearers of the news of Christ's victory over death.

Mary Magdalene and the Other Women at the Tomb

The Gospel accounts consistently mention Mary Magdalene as the first person to whom Jesus appeared after His resurrection. In the Gospel of John, it is recorded: "But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. As she wept, she bent down to look into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white sitting where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the feet. 'Woman, why are you weeping?' they asked. 'Because they have taken my Lord away,' she said, 'and I do not know where they have put Him.' When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there; but she did not recognize that it was Jesus. 'Woman, why are you weeping?' Jesus asked. 'Whom are you seeking?' Thinking He was the gardener, she said, 'Sir, if you have carried Him off, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.' Jesus said to her, 'Mary.' She turned and said to Him in Aramaic, 'Rabboni!' (which means Teacher)" (John 20:11-16).

The Gospel of Matthew also records the appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene and "the other Mary" as they left the tomb: "Suddenly Jesus met them and said, 'Greetings!' They came to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him. 'Do not be afraid,' said Jesus. 'Go and tell My brothers to go to Galilee. There they will see Me'" (Matthew 28:9-10).

Significance of the Women's Witness

The choice of women as the first witnesses to the resurrection is particularly noteworthy given the cultural context of the time. In first-century Jewish society, women's testimonies were not always considered legally binding. Despite this, the Gospels affirm the reliability and importance of their witness. This choice by Jesus to reveal Himself first to women highlights the transformative nature of the Gospel, which elevates the status of women and affirms their integral role in the early Christian community.

Role in Proclaiming the Resurrection

The women who encountered the risen Christ were entrusted with the crucial task of proclaiming His resurrection to the disciples. In Mark's Gospel, the angel at the tomb instructs them: "But go, tell His disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you'" (Mark 16:7). This directive underscores the responsibility given to these women to share the foundational truth of the Christian faith.

Conclusion

The appearance of the risen Lord to women first is a profound testament to their faithfulness and devotion. Their role as the first evangelists of the resurrection message is a powerful reminder of the inclusivity and transformative power of the Gospel. Through their witness, the early church was strengthened and the message of Christ's victory over death was proclaimed to the world.

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Mark 16:9
Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
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John 20:14-18
And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
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Library

First and Second Appearances of the Risen Christ. The Resurrection ...
... early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom
he had ... here agrees with John that Mary separated from the other women. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxv first and second appearances.htm

Angels Announce the Resurrection to Certain Women. Peter and John ...
... They told none whom they met ... is less exact, blending her message with that of the
other women, as will ... and hence more active than Peter] , and came first to the ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxiv angels announce the resurrection.htm

The Holy Women at the Sepulchre.
... At the words, 'Whom seekest thou?' she looked at him ... back and let Peter enter the
sepulchre first; but it ... time Magdalen had rejoined the holy women, and given ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter lxiv the holy women.htm

The First Easter Sunrise
... the first to know of it were the women, that angels ... at the tomb, that Jesus showed
Himself first to Mary ... Whether the group with whom this passage has to do ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the first easter sunrise.htm

And While they Marvelled at That, Behold, Two Men Standing Above ...
... he rose, he appeared first unto Mary Magdalene, from whom he had ... [32] [3741] And
while the first [3742] women ... and [51] found the matter as the women had said ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section liii and while they.htm

Love's Triumph Over Sin
... The first to whom He, who is 'separate from sinners,' appeared was 'Mary Magdalene,
out of whom He had ... seven devils.' The next were the women who bore ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/loves triumph over sin.htm

The Incredulous Disciples
... He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had ... I. He shows us, first,
bewildered love and sorrow ... leave the question whether this group of women is the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the incredulous disciples.htm

(On the Lord's Ascension, I. )
... For, when the holy women, as the Gospel-story has revealed, brought word of ... of their
nature is revealed than that of our first parents, on whom fell the ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon lxxiii on the lords.htm

The Lord Seen by the Apostles.
... To the women returning from the sepulchre (Matt.28:9, 10 ... He was one of the Twelve,
of whom history has recorded ... the ancient churches to meet on the first day of ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the lord seen by the.htm

"Why Weepest Thou?"
... whom seekest thou?" Through her tear-dimmed eyes, Mary ... Jesus appeared to the other
women, saying, "All ... Christ's first work on earth after His resurrection was ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 82 why weepest thou.htm