Category: Mary Magdalene

Possessed with Devils #9

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What does the Bible say about devil possession?

As Israel was captive to sin and Satan (pictured by Egypt and Pharaoh), the LORD God commissioned Moses to heal sickness and handle serpents in Exodus chapter 4. Similarly, Father God sent Jesus Christ to redeem Israel yet again—for, the Jewish people had allowed themselves to be contaminated with false religion or devil worship during the 15 centuries between Moses and John the Baptist. Christ therefore healed the sick and cast out devils.

Notice what the Bible remarks about Mary Magdalene. “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 16:9). “And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,…” (Luke 8:2). “Mary” in Hebrew is “Miriam,” meaning “rebellious.” She represents sinful Israel, filled with devils to maximum capacity (seven is the Bible’s number of completion). Yet, Jesus Christ (“Anointed Saviour”) cured Mary Magdalene of both her sin-problem (“infirmities”) and her devil-problem (“evil spirits… seven devils”). She represents Israel’s kingdom restoration and glorification in the ages to come.

Observe: “And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee” (Mark 1:23-28; cf. Luke 4:33-37). Father God wants Israel to be cleansed of her spiritual filthiness, so the Lord Jesus works with Him in doing just that….

Magdala

Monday, October 7, 2024

“And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala” (Matthew 15:39 KJV).

This little obscure town in Galilee is more familiar than you realize….

After miraculously feeding the 4,000-plus in northern Israel, the Lord Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee by ship and entered the “coasts” (borders) of the town of Magdala (today’s Scripture). Magdala, apparently, was near the westernmost shore of the Sea of Galilee, slightly south of the midpoint between the little cities of Capernaum and Tiberias. It was one of the elevated or fortified places in Palestine (“migdal” is Hebrew for “tower”). According to the parallel passage (Mark 8:10), the town was located in the vicinity of Dalmanutha. Do we know any Bible character from Magdala? Yes!

“Magdala” forms part of the designation of a famous Bible character. She is none other than “Mary Magdalene,” a believer who is mentioned a dozen times in Scripture (Matthew 27:56,61; Matthew 28:1; Mark 15:40,47; Mark 16:1,9; Luke 8:2; Luke 24:10; John 19:25; John 20:1,18). It is unclear exactly when she trusted Jesus as Messiah, but she definitely resided in Magdala at some point before following Him. Her appellation is no different from the names “Simon the Canaanite [from Cana, a town in Galilee]” (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:18) and “Judas Iscariot [Hebrew for ‘man of Kerioth,’ a town near Jerusalem]” (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:19).

Hopefully, we will remember how the Bible declares of her, “Mary Magdalene, out of whom he [Christ] had cast seven devils” (Mark 16:9; Luke 8:2). It is unknown just when this miracle occurred, but, Mary Magdalene herself was doubtless a fortified tower of devils—seven evil spirits, to be precise, who had taken over her body. She was a graphic representation of her sinful nation Israel and its polluted land of Canaan, quite useful to Satan in preventing God’s earthly kingdom from being founded. Of course, the Lord Jesus threw out all seven devils, reversing her complete and utter spiritual defilement. Also, by subsequently accompanying and serving Him—especially at His crucifixion, resurrection, and beyond—Mary Magdalene’s conduct ensured her tiny town of Magdala is noteworthy. Now, the Holy Spirit has written these verses so it will never be forgotten.