Women of the New Testament

“Amen, I say to you, wherever in the whole world this gospel is proclaimed, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.” (Mark 14:9)

In the gospels, as well as in the other books of the New Testament, we find women featured, praised, and recognised for their faith, courage and good deeds. Whether as singles, mothers, or widows, or as disciples, missionaries or prophets, women are an integral part of the Christian story. 

In the New Testament, as well as in later Christian tradition and art, unsurprisingly the Virgin Mary is the most prominent woman of all. The second most popular figure is St Mary Magdalene, who came to faith and stayed close to Christ through his death and resurrection. Other women who are often celebrated include St Elizabeth, the mother of St John the Baptist, and St Martha, the sister of Lazarus.

In the gospels, we find stories of how Christ dealt respectfully and gently with women. Examples would include the woman who anointed his feet, the woman at the well and the woman who was caught in adultery (Luke 7:36-50; John 4:1-26; 8:1-11). He also healed women, including St Peter’s mother-in-law, the daughter of Jairus, a woman with a bleeding condition and a woman with a disability in her spine (Luke 4:38-39; 8:40-56; 13:10-17). 

Not only that, women were among his most faithful disciples. It was women who supported Christ, both practically and financially (Luke 8:1-3). It was the female disciples of Christ who were present at the cross while most of the male disciples had fled (John 19:25-27). And it was women who were the first witnesses to his resurrection (Mark 16:1-8).

Christ told a number of parables with women as the main characters. Examples include the parables of the Persistent Widow, the Woman and the Lost Coin, the Wise and Foolish Virgins, and the Woman Kneading Dough. He also praised the poor widow for her generous contribution to the Temple fund (Matthew 13:33; 25:1-13; Mark 12:41-44; Luke 13:20-21; 15:8-10; 18:1-8; 21:1-4).

In the rest of the New Testament, we read of how women played a key role in the spread of the Christian faith. With her husband Aquila, Priscilla taught the faith to new converts (Acts 18:24-26). And St Philip’s daughters were unmarried prophets, which means that they had a role in strengthening and encouraging the faithful (Acts 21:8-9 cf 15:32). 

In the Book of Romans, St Paul praised many specific women for their hard work for the Church (Romans 16:1-15). We also read of the order of widows, who devoted their lives to good works (1 Timothy 5:9-14). And many women generously turned their homes into house churches, such as Mary (the mother of St Mark), Lydia and Nympha (Acts 12:12; 16:40; Colossians 4:16). 

Here are ten inspiring women from the New Testament, whose encounters with Christ changed their lives forever:

1. The Virgin Mary, the mother of Christ
2. St Elizabeth, the mother of St John the Baptist
3. St Anna, the faithful prophet
4. St Mary Magdalene, the faithful disciple (pictured above)
5. St Martha, the friend from Bethany
6. The Woman at the well
7. The Woman who anointed Christ’s feet
8. The Woman who touched Christ’s cloak
9. The Holy Women at the tomb
10. St Tabitha, the charitable disciple

For further biblical examples of inspiring women, see Women of the Old Testament.