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.

MARK 16:9KJV
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Mark 16:9 (KJV)

What does Mark 16:9 mean?

Mark 16:9 says that Jesus rose from the dead early on the first day of the week and first appeared to Mary Magdalene, a woman from whom he had previously cast out seven demons. This verse highlights Mary Magdalene as the first person to see the risen Jesus.

Mark 16:9 is describing the moment after Jesus’s resurrection, focusing on who witnessed him alive first. The verse points out Mary Magdalene’s unique role and her past experience of being freed from seven "devils" (meaning evil spirits or demons) by Jesus. This sets the stage for the following verses, which recount the earliest encounters with the risen Jesus.

The Greek behind Mark 16:9

  • The word for "risen" is ἀνίστημι (anistēmi), which often means to stand up or rise. Here, it refers to Jesus coming back to life, emphasizing the physical reality of the resurrection.
  • The word for "devils" is δαιμόνιον (daimonion), which means evil spirits or demons, not "devils" in the sense of Satan, but rather spiritual beings that troubled people.
  • The phrase "first day of the week" uses σαββάτου (sabbatou), which literally means "Sabbath" but is used in Greek to refer to the week, so "the first of the Sabbath" means Sunday.
  • The verb "appeared" is φαίνω (phainō), which means to become visible or to show oneself, indicating that Jesus was seen in a real, visible way by Mary Magdalene.

Why Mark 16:9 matters

  • Mark 16:9 clears up that Mary Magdalene was the first person to see Jesus after his resurrection, highlighting her important role in the resurrection story.
  • The verse emphasizes that Jesus’s resurrection happened on the first day of the week, which is why Christians gather on Sunday.
  • By mentioning that Jesus had cast out seven demons from Mary Magdalene, the verse shows her transformation and the depth of her relationship with Jesus, which may explain why she was present at this crucial moment.

Where else these words appear

“early” Greek G4404 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 16:3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
  • Mark 11:20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
  • Mark 16:2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

“Magdalene” Greek G3094 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 27:56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.
  • Mark 15:40 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;
  • Luke 24:10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.

“appeared” Greek G5316 · used in 31 verses

  • Matthew 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
  • Matthew 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
  • Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

“Mary” Greek G3137 · used in 46 verses

  • Matthew 1:16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
  • Luke 1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
  • John 11:19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.