The Lord used this form of address on various occasions in speaking to different women, and it was always with concern, kindness, respect, and tenderness (see John 2:4 19:26 20:15). But in MaryвЂ™s time, вЂњwoman,вЂќ as a form of address, was a term of great respect. Today, some may think it strange that when Jesus first spoke to her, He called her вЂњwomanвЂќ instead of by her name, even though He clearly knew her well from their long association. Behind her, the resurrected Savior asked, вЂњWoman, why weepest thou?вЂќ ( John 20:15). Mary, believing that the SaviorвЂ™s body had been taken, wept openly. How distressing and confusing it must have been to see the tomb empty.

She returned to the tomb with other devoted women on Sunday morning (see Matthew 28:1 Mark 16:1вЂ“4 Luke 23:55).

She was there among those at the tomb as His body was laid to rest and the stone was rolled in front of the sepulchre (see Matthew 27:61 Mark 15:47), even though Jewish Sabbath law dictated that she and the other disciples return home to rest.Д«ut even the finality of a great, heavy stone could not break MaryвЂ™s devotion or keep her from her Lord. She would remain His disciple to the end.ДЇollowing the SaviorвЂ™s death, MaryвЂ™s insistence to remain at His side continued. Even in-and perhaps especially in-this dark hour, her devotion to and love for the Savior were manifest. Whether near or far, whatвЂ™s clear is that Mary felt compelled to be with the Savior as He endured immense agony and suffering. But in the Gospel of John, we learn that Mary Magdalene stood near the cross, along with Mary, the SaviorвЂ™s mother (see John 19:25). Matthew, Mark, and Luke say that the women watched from afar (see Matthew 27:55 Mark 15:40 Luke 23:49). Later, Mary was among several women who witnessed the Crucifixion of Jesus. It freed her of an unthinkable burden and left her with a deeply personal and unforgettable witness of the SaviorвЂ™s divine power, mercy, and kindness. We donвЂ™t know when MaryвЂ™s discipleship began, but itвЂ™s safe to assume that this miracle performed by the Savior had a profound effect on her life. Mark and Luke report that Mary was possessed of seven devils and that Jesus cast them out of her (see Mark 16:9 Luke 8:2). In Hebrew, the word Magdala means вЂњtower,вЂќ and indeed, Mary Magdalene became a tower of strength, both to her fellow disciples and to us today as well. On the western shore of the Sea of Galilee was the city of Magdala, an important fishing settlement and the hometown of Mary Magdalene.

The testament of mary magdalene