This is a sample selection of scripture texts about women. Each of the following bible quotes is taken from the Inclusive Bible, translated by Priests for Equality, a Project of the Quixote Center, unless noted otherwise.
“Humankind was created as God’s reflection: in the divine image God created them, God created humankind, male and female God created them.” Genesis 1:27
Women disciples remained with Jesus at the cross when most male disciples fled.
“A group of women were present, looking on from a distance. These were the same women who had followed Jesus from Galilee as ministers to him. Among them were Mary of Magdala; Mary, the mother of James and Joseph; and the mother of Zebedee’s children.” Matthew 27: 55-56
“A large crowd was following, many of them women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him…All the acquaintances of Jesus and the women who had come with him from Galilee stood at a distance, looking on…Joseph took the body down, wrapped it in fine linen and laid it in a tomb cut out rock…The women who accompanied Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph, saw the tomb and watched as the body was placed in it. Then they went home to prepare the spices and ointments.” Luke 23:27-56
“After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary of Magdala came with Mary to inspect the tomb…Suddenly Jesus stood before them and said, “Shalom!” The women came up, embracing Jesus’ feet and worshiped. At this point, Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell the disciples to go to Galilee, where they will see me.” Matthew 28:1-10
“There were also some women present looking on from a distance. Among them were Mary of Magdala; Mary, the mother of James the younger and Joses; and Salome. These women had followed Jesus when he was in Galilee and attended to his needs.” Mark 15: 40-41
“Standing close to Jesus’ cross were his mother; his mother’s sister, Mary, the wife of Clopas; and Mary of Magdalene.” John 19:25
The resurrected Jesus appeared first to women, including Mary Magdalene in all four gospels.
“After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary of Magdala came with Mary to inspect the tomb…Suddenly Jesus stood before them and said, “Shalom!” The women came up, embracing Jesus’ feet and worshiped. At this point, Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell the disciples to go to Galilee, where they will see me.” Matthew 28:1-10
“Jesus rose from the dead early on the first day of the week, appearing first to Mary of Magdala, out of whom the savior cast seven devils.” Mark 16:9
“…The women came to the tomb bringing the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled back from the tomb, but when they entered the tomb, they didn’t find the body of Jesus…The women were Mary of Magdala, Joanna and Mary the mother of James.” Luke 24:1-11
“Meanwhile, Mary stood weeping beside the tomb…she caught sight of Jesus standing there…Jesus then said, “Don’t hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to Abba God. Rather, go to the sisters and brothers and tell them, ‘I’m ascending to my Abba and to your Abba, my God and your God!’ ” John 20:11-18
Women served as active, important and influential leaders in the early church.
“…From there we went to Phillippi… On the Sabbath we went along the river outside the gates, thinking we might find a place of prayer. We sat and preached to the women who had come to the gathering. One of them was named Lydia, a devout woman from the town of Thyatira who was in the purple-dye trade. As she listened to us, Christ opened her heart to accept what Paul was saying. After she and her household were baptized, she extended us an invitation: “If you are convinced that I am a believer in Christ, please come and stay with us We accepted.” Acts 16:12-15
“Meanwhile, Mary stood weeping beside the tomb…she caught sight of Jesus standing there…Jesus then said, “Don’t hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to Abba God. Rather, go to the sisters and brothers and tell them, ‘I’m ascending to my Abba and to your Abba, my God and your God!’ ” John 20:11-18
“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchreae. Welcome her, in the name of Our God, in a way worthy of the holy ones, and help her with her needs. She has looked after a great many people, including me. Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila; they were my co-workers in the service of Christ Jesus, and even risked their lives for my sake. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them… My greetings to Mary, who has worked hard for you…Greetings to the sisters Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who work hard for our God; greetings to my friend Persis who has done so much for our God.” Romans 16:1-16
“Each of you is a child of God because of your faith in Christ Jesus. All of you who have been baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. In Christ, there is no Jew or Greek, slave or citizen, male or female. All are one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26-28
“But they were grieved. They wept greatly, saying, how shall we go to the Gentiles and preach the gospel of the Kingdom of the Son of Man? If they did not spare Him, how will they spare us? Then Mary stood up, greeted them all, and said to her brethren, Do not weep and do not grieve nor be irresolute, for His grace will be entirely with you and will protect you. But rather, let us praise His greatness, for He has prepared us and made us into Men. When Mary said this, she turned their hearts to the Good, and they began to discuss the words of the Savior. Peter said to Mary, Sister we know that the Savior loved you more than the rest of woman. Tell us the words of the Savior which you remember which you know, but we do not, nor have we heard them. Mary answered and said, What is hidden from you I will proclaim to you. And she began to speak to them these words: I, she said, I saw the Lord in a vision and I said to Him, Lord I saw you today in a vision. He answered and said to me, Blessed are you that you did not waver at the sight of Me. For where the mind is there is the treasure.” from Gospel of Mary, Chapter 5 fragment, Gnostic Society Library
Scripture Stories About Women
Jesus broke cultural and religious conventions by speaking to women in public, healing, anointing, teaching women. The following stories illustrate a few examples:
- John 4:1-27: Jesus talks with a Samaritan woman, and the male disciples are more surprised that Jesus is talking to a woman than a Samaritan
- Luke 10:38-42: Jesus teaches Mary and Martha
- Luke 13:10-42: Crippled Woman on Sabbath
- Luke 18:1-8: Female example of persistence in the Persistent Widow
- Mark 1:29-31; Matthew 8:14-16; Luke 4:38-41: Jesus cures Simon’s mother-in-law
- Mark 5:25-34; Matthew 9:20-22; Luke 8:43-48: Woman with the hemorrhage
- Mark 14:1-9: Jesus defends and anoints women
- Mark 13:38-44; Luke 21:1-4: Female model of piety in a poor woman
- Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 5:25-34; Matthew 9:18-26; Luke 8:43-48: Female examples of faith