Μαγδαληνή (Magdalēnē)
Magdalēnē
Magdalene
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 12 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The word Magdalēnē is a descriptive title meaning "from Magdala," identifying Mary as a resident of that specific town. It functions not as a first name but as a geographical marker, similar to how one might say "Mary of Nazareth." This distinction clarifies that she is the woman from Magdala, separating her from other women named Mary in the New Testament narratives.
Magdala was a prosperous fishing village on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. By attaching this location to her name, the Gospel writers highlight her local roots and social standing. It appears frequently in accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, such as in Matthew 27:56 and John 20:18, anchoring her story in a real place rather than leaving her identity abstract.
The term underscores the historical reality of her life. She is not an anonymous figure but a woman with a specific home and community. This geographical label helps readers visualize her journey from Galilee to Jerusalem, grounding the biblical events in tangible locations familiar to first-century audiences.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Magdalene is not a first name but a geographical marker, meaning "from Magdala." This title identifies Mary as a resident of that specific town on the Sea of Galilee. By attaching this location to her identity, the Gospel writers highlight her local roots and social standing. She is not an anonymous figure but a woman with a specific home and community.
This geographical label helps readers visualize her journey from Galilee to Jerusalem, grounding the biblical events in tangible locations familiar to first-century audiences. It underscores the historical reality of her life. She is not an abstract concept but a real person anchored in a real place.
For your faith, this detail reminds us that God uses ordinary people from specific places for extraordinary purposes. Mary’s presence at the cross and the empty tomb shows that faithful witness often comes from those who have been personally healed and restored. Her story invites you to see your own community and home as a place where God’s work can be seen.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Magdalene10×
- Magdalene.1×
- Magdalene,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Μαγδαληνὴ10×
- Μαγδαληνῇ,1×
- Μαγδαληνή.¶1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 8:2
and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out;
This verse explicitly links the name Magdalene to her history of healing, showing that the title identifies the woman Jesus specifically delivered from seven demons.
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John 20:18
Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her.
Here Mary acts as the first witness to the resurrection, using the title Magdalene to identify herself as the one who brought the news to the disciples.
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Matthew 27:56
Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
The title distinguishes her from other women named Mary present at the crucifixion, clarifying her specific role as a faithful follower standing by the cross.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Magdalene mean?
Is Magdalene a first name?
Why is she called Magdalene?
Every Occurrence (12 verses across 4 books)
Matthew 3 verses
Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Matthew 27:61Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.
Matthew 28:1Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see…