4 Great Women of the Bible & Their Importance Today

A woman wearing a cream-colored linen robe and head covering bowing her head in prayer by a body of water.

The Bible recounts many stories of how God chose people to fulfill His divine purposes, including Mary, Esther, Ruth, and Mary Magdalene. Their lives inspire modern believers to practice obedience and faith in God’s will. Explore these four great women of the Bible and their importance today.

Mary, Jesus’s Mother

Mary, the mother of Jesus, holds a pivotal role in the New Testament as the mother of the Messiah, chosen by God for this sacred purpose. She demonstrates deep faith and acceptance of God’s will. “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her,” (Luke 1:38).

Mary showed devotion to Jesus throughout his life. During the wedding at Cana, recounted in John 2:1-11, Mary notices the lack of wine and demonstrates her faith in Jesus’s provisions by stating, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5) to the servants. At the celebration, Jesus performs his first public miracle, turning water into wine. Modern Christians can find solace and strength in Mary’s example of steadfastness, maternal love, and faithfulness to God’s plan.

Esther

Esther was a Jewish queen of Persia who bravely intervened to save her people from genocide. Esther 4:14 highlights her courage and strategic wisdom, where her cousin Mordecai tells her she may have been placed in her royal position “for such a time as this.”

Esther’s bravery in approaching King Xerxes without being summoned, an act punishable by death, underscores her dedication to her people and her faith in God’s plan. Her actions resulted in the king granting her request to spare the Jews. Christians can draw strength from Esther’s example of standing up against injustice and having faith in difficult times.

Ruth

Ruth was a Moabite woman who showed exceptional loyalty and faithfulness to her mother-in-law, Naomi, after the deaths of Naomi’s sons and husband. Her famous declaration in Ruth 1:16, “Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay,” epitomizes her unwavering devotion.

Ruth’s hard work and perseverance eventually led her to marry Boaz, a man of wealth and influence, securing her and Naomi’s future. Her story illustrates the rewards of loyalty, kindness, and diligent work, even in challenging circumstances.

Mary Magdalene

Mary Magdalene was a devoted follower of Jesus, from whom seven demons were cast out (Luke 8:2). Her most significant role is as a witness to Jesus’ resurrection, as seen in John 20:18, where she acts as the first to testify and proclaim she had seen the Lord.

Mary Magdalene’s faith and loyalty make her a powerful example of the transformative power of forgiveness and redemption. Her dedication to Jesus and her role in the resurrection narrative underscores the importance of bearing witness to profound spiritual truths.

The stories of these great women of the Bible—Mary, Esther, Ruth, and Mary Magdalene—are important today, serving as enduring examples of faith, courage, and loyalty and illuminating the power of trusting in God’s plan. Dive into the stories of these remarkable women and others in a KJV wide margin Bible. With its spacious margins and rich reference material, this Bible supports you as you annotate and contemplate God’s work.