📖 Biblical Definition
Magdala was a small fishing town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, the hometown of Mary Magdalene — the woman out of whom Christ cast seven demons (Luke 8:2), the loyal disciple who stood at the cross (John 19:25), and the first witness of the resurrection (John 20:11-18). The name appears explicitly in Matthew 15:39 KJV ("the coasts of Magdala"), in the parallel to the feeding of the four thousand, though some manuscripts read Magadan or Dalmanutha. Modern archaeology has uncovered a first-century synagogue at the site. Magdala teaches the gospel’s reach: a demoniac of an obscure fishing village becomes the first to say, "I have seen the Lord."
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Magdala — a fishing town on the Sea of Galilee, home of Mary Magdalene.
expand to see more
Magdala (Migdal) sat between Capernaum and Tiberias and was known for its fish-salting industry. The town gave its name to Mary Magdalene, out of whom Jesus cast seven devils, and who became a witness of the resurrection.
📖 Key Scripture
Matthew 15:39 — "He sent away the multitude... and came into the coasts of Magdala."
Luke 8:2 — "Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils."
Mark 16:9 — "He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils."
John 20:18 — "Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Mary Magdalene libeled as a prostitute; the town reduced to a nickname.
expand to see more
Centuries of Western preaching conflated Mary Magdalene with the unnamed sinful woman of Luke 7. Scripture says no such thing — she was a delivered woman, a financial supporter of the ministry, and the first witness of the resurrection.
Magdala means tower. The woman from the tower-town became a tower of testimony: she saw the risen Lord first.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Aramaic magdala / Hebrew migdal — tower.
expand to see more
G3094 — Magdalene — Magdalene, of Magdala
H4026 — migdal — tower, watchtower
G3144 — martys — witness, testifier
Usage
"The woman from the tower-town became the tower of resurrection witness."
"Seven devils cast out, and the first eyes to see the empty tomb."
"Magdala was a fishing village; her daughter became the apostle to the apostles."