Q: When Mary Magdalene met Jesus, did she recognize him? Matthew 28:9 says that she did, but John 20:14 says that she didnt. And what about Luke 24:23? There, it sounds like Jesus didnt appear to her at all, only a vision of angels.
A: Different events are in view. Luke 24:23 refers to the other Marys sighting of two angels during the initial visit by Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to the tomb (before sunrise). When Mary Magdalene and the other Mary lingered at the tomb after they and the other women had encountered the angels (one angel outside speaking to the Marys, and two angels within speaking to the others), Mary Magdalene entered the tomb and saw two angels there, with their heavenly glory suppressed. Right after that, Mary Magdalene met Jesus and it was at this point, as He was standing in the entranceway, that she did not recognize Him until He called her name. Mary Magdalene proceeded to run from the tomb and catch up with the other women who had gone to report to the disciples about the empty tomb. After they regrouped, but before they reached the disciples, Jesus appeared to them and at this point Mary Magdalene (and the others) recognized Him immediately.
Yours in Christ,
Waterrock
A: Different events are in view. Luke 24:23 refers to the other Marys sighting of two angels during the initial visit by Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to the tomb (before sunrise). When Mary Magdalene and the other Mary lingered at the tomb after they and the other women had encountered the angels (one angel outside speaking to the Marys, and two angels within speaking to the others), Mary Magdalene entered the tomb and saw two angels there, with their heavenly glory suppressed. Right after that, Mary Magdalene met Jesus and it was at this point, as He was standing in the entranceway, that she did not recognize Him until He called her name. Mary Magdalene proceeded to run from the tomb and catch up with the other women who had gone to report to the disciples about the empty tomb. After they regrouped, but before they reached the disciples, Jesus appeared to them and at this point Mary Magdalene (and the others) recognized Him immediately.
Yours in Christ,
Waterrock
