After His Resurrection, why did Jesus Appear to Mary Magdalene and the Other Mary First Instead of to His Disciples?
The post-resurrection appearances of Jesus Christ hold profound significance within the New Testament. Notably, Jesus chose to reveal Himself first to women, specifically Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, rather than to His male disciples. This event, recorded in the Gospels, invites exploration of its deeper meanings and implications.
Scriptural Account
The Gospel of Matthew provides a detailed account of this event:
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
Matthew 28:1-10
While the Bible does not explicitly state the reasons for Jesus appearing to women first, several contextual and thematic elements within the Scriptures provide possible explanations.
Faithfulness and Devotion
One plausible reason for Jesus appearing to women first is their unwavering faithfulness and devotion. Throughout His ministry, women were steadfast supporters of Jesus. They remained present during His crucifixion (Matthew 27:55-56), witnessed His burial (Mark 15:47), and were the first to visit His tomb on the morning of the third day (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1-2; Luke 24:1; John 20:1). Their commitment to Jesus may have been recognized and rewarded by Him revealing Himself to them first.
The prophecy of Jesus' resurrection after three days was well known:
For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Matthew 12:40
Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body.
John 2:18-21
It is possible that Mary Magdalene and the other Mary had received better God-given insight into this prophecy than the male disciples, which is why they went to the tomb early in the morning of the third day while the male disciples did not.
Cultural Context
In the culture of that time, women generally held lower social status compared to men. By appearing to women first, Jesus challenged cultural norms and elevated the status of women. His actions demonstrated that women are valued and essential participants in His kingdom and in spreading the message of His resurrection.
Testimony and Witnessing
Jesus entrusted the women with the responsibility of being the first witnesses to His resurrection. In Jewish law, the testimony of women was not considered as reliable as that of men. By choosing women to be the first witnesses, Jesus emphasized that their testimony was just as valid and important. Their firsthand experience of seeing the resurrected Jesus and their subsequent testimony served as a foundation for the early Christian proclamation of the resurrection.
Symbolism and Fulfillment of Prophecy
There may also be symbolic and prophetic elements associated with Jesus appearing to women first. In the book of Genesis, the first woman, Eve, played a significant role in humanity's fall. By appearing to women first, Jesus, the second Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45), may have been signaling the beginning of a new creation, redeeming the consequences of the fall through His resurrection.
Additionally, in the Old Testament, God often chose women to accomplish significant purposes. For example, Deborah was a judge and leader of Israel (Judges 4-5), and Esther played a pivotal role in the deliverance of the Jewish people (Esther 4-9). Jesus appearing to women first could be seen as part of God's ongoing pattern of using women in important roles and highlighting their significance in His divine plan.
Affirmation of Women's Roles
While the Bible outlines specific roles for men and women within the spiritual hierarchy:
But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
1 Corinthians 11:3
Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
1 Timothy 2:11-12
Scriptures such as those detailing Deborah's and Esther's leadership, and Jesus’ appearance to women first after His resurrection, affirm that women are a critical and valued part of the Great Commission's goal of spreading the Gospel and the good news of His resurrection.
Conclusion
The decision of Jesus to reveal Himself first to women highlights His intentional actions that challenge societal norms, affirm the value of women, and invite all believers, regardless of gender, to witness and proclaim the truth of His resurrection. The actions of Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, their faithfulness, and the cultural implications of their witness emphasize the inclusive and transformative nature of Jesus' ministry. Thus, their role as the first witnesses to the resurrection underscores the profound and enduring significance of their testimony in the Christian faith.