The identity of the first female apostle in the Bible is a topic that has been debated for centuries. Unlike Jesus’ twelve male apostles, the New Testament does not explicitly state who the first female apostle was. However, there are several women described in the Bible who showed apostolic qualities and may have functioned in apostolic roles in the early church.
What is an Apostle?
The word “apostle” comes from the Greek word apostolos which means “one who is sent out” or “messenger.” In the New Testament, there are two primary uses of the word apostle:
- To refer to the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus (Mark 3:14)
- To refer more broadly to messengers of the gospel, like Paul, Barnabas, and others (Romans 16:7, 2 Cor. 8:23)
The qualifications and activities of an apostle included:
- Being directly chosen by Jesus
- Witnessing the resurrected Christ
- Being sent out to preach the gospel
- Planting and overseeing churches
- Performing signs and wonders to validate their message
While the twelve male disciples clearly fulfilled the role of apostles, there are indications that women could also serve in apostolic ministry during the New Testament era.
New Testament Women with Apostolic Qualities
There are several women described in the New Testament that showed apostolic qualities and may have functioned in apostolic ministry roles in the early church.
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus’ most devoted followers. She witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion when the other apostles fled. She was also the first witness to Jesus’ resurrection (John 20:1-18). Her experience of proclaiming the risen Christ directly parallels the commission of the apostles (Luke 24:48, Acts 1:22). This has led some scholars to propose Mary Magdalene as the “apostle to the apostles” – the one commissioned to announce the resurrection to the other apostles.
Junia
In Romans 16:7, Paul sends greetings to “Andronicus and Junia” and describes them as “prominent among the apostles.” For centuries, Junia was assumed to be a man, but scholars now recognize Junia was a common female Latin name. Junia and her partner Andronicus were therefore likely a wife and husband apostolic team. As a female apostle, Junia ministered and suffered for Christ before Paul’s conversion.
Priscilla
The ministry couple Priscilla and Aquila are described by Paul as his “co-workers in Christ Jesus” (Romans 16:3). Together with her husband, Priscilla fulfilled apostolic qualities by planting churches, instructing other leaders like Apollos, risking their lives for Paul, and hosting church gatherings in their home (Acts 18, Romans 16:4).
Other Examples
Other women, like Euodia, Syntyche (Philippians 4:2-3), Phoebe (Romans 16:1-2), and the four prophesying daughters of Philip (Acts 21:9) may have also served in apostolic roles in the early church.
Women’s Roles in the Early Church
There are other indications that women held important leadership roles in the early church:
- Philip’s four unmarried daughters are described as prophets (Acts 21:9)
- Phoebe is called a “deacon” and “benefactor” in the church at Cenchreae (Romans 16:1-2)
- Women, as well as men, exercised verbal ministries in the Corinthian church (1 Cor. 11:5)
- Paul instructs older women to disciple younger women in faith, love, and holiness (Titus 2:3-5)
While the twelve apostles were male, and Jesus chose male leaders to establish a patriarchal Jewish culture, it appears he also made room for women like Mary Magdalene, Junia, Priscilla, and others to serve in top leadership roles in the early church.
Why the First Female Apostle is Not Named
If women clearly exercised apostolic ministry, why does the New Testament not explicitly identify a singular first female apostle? Here are some possible reasons:
- The twelve male apostles became the most prominent due to their close relationship with Jesus.
- First century cultural limitations made it difficult for women leaders to be recognized.
- The apostolic calling was not limited to the twelve, so naming a singular first female apostle was unnecessary.
- The early church fathers may have suppressed the names of female apostles like Junia.
The concept of one primary female apostle may be more a modern notion than a first century one. The early church likely recognized a wider circle of apostolic ministers rather than just twelve.
Was Mary Magdalene the First Female Apostle?
Of the candidates for the first female apostle, Mary Magdalene has gained the most popular support. Reasons recognizing her significance include:
- Her prominence in the gospel accounts
- Her privilege of being the first resurrection witness
- Her apostolic commissioning in John 20:17-18
- Her close relationship with Jesus (speculated to be his wife by some)
However, there any definitive biblical evidence that Mary Magdalene was singled out as the solitary female apostle. While her ignominy after the resurrection suggests a special apostolic calling, women like Junia and Priscilla also show strong biblical support as early female apostolic ministers.
Support For Mary Magdalene As First Female Apostle
Here is a summary of the biblical evidence that can be interpreted as support for Mary Magdalene as the first female apostle:
- Traveled with Jesus as one of his disciples (Luke 8:1-3)
- Present at the crucifixion when most other disciples fled
- First witness to the resurrection (Mark 16:9, John 20:1-18)
- In John 20:17-18, Jesus tells her to announce his resurrection to the other disciples, giving her an apostolic commission
- Her love and devotion to Jesus may suggest a closer relationship than the other disciples
Objections to Mary Magdalene As First Female Apostle
Here are some common objections against singling out Mary Magdalene as the solitary first female apostle:
- The Bible does not explicitly give her any titles or priority over other female disciples
- Other women like Junia and Priscilla also showed apostolic qualities
- She had her own limitations, like failing to recognize the resurrected Jesus at first (John 20:14)
- Her commission to the apostles has parallels to the commission all disciples receive (Luke 24:48)
- Romantic theories about her relationship with Jesus lack biblical support
Conclusion
While Mary Magdalene stands out as a strong candidate for being the first female apostle, the Bible does not definitively settle the debate. Other women like Junia, Priscilla, and others also emerge as female leaders, ministers, and possibly apostles in the early church.
Rather than seeking one solitary female apostle, the New Testament evidence suggests that just as there were multiple male apostles, there were also multiple women who exercised significant apostolic leadership and helped build up the early church.
The most biblical view recognizes that Mary Magdalene demonstrated exceptional faith, courage, and apostolic gifting in her service to Christ. At the same time, other women joined her in top leadership to plant churches and spread the gospel in the apostolic age.
While the New Testament does not provide absolute certainty about the identity of the “first” female apostle, it clearly shows that women as well as men were empowered by the Holy Spirit and called to high-level ministry roles in the early church. This became part of the foundation of a new community where gender, social status, and ethnicity took back stage to faith, gifting, and mutual service in Christ.