Who Was Mary Madalene? Was Jesus Married?

Who Was Mary Madalene?

Was Jesus Married?

THE DA VINCI CODE:

Gnosticism Renewed (II)

• “As I mentioned,” Teabing clarified, “the early Church needed to convince the world that the mortal prophet Jesus was a divine being. Therefore, any gospels that described earthly aspects of Jesus’ life had to be omitted from the Bible. Unfortunately for the early editors, one particularly troubling earthly theme kept recurring in the gospels. Mary Magdalene.” He paused. “More specifically, her marriage to Jesus Christ.”

• “It’s a matter of historical record,” Teabing said, “and Da Vinci was certainly aware of that fact. The Last Supper practically shouts at the viewer that Jesus and Magdalene were a pair.”

• The Bible:– Seven “Mary’s” in the Bible:

• Mary the mother of Jesus (Lk 1.3)

• Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus (Jn 11.1; Lk 10.38)

• Mary the mother of James, not the Lord’s brother (Mt 27.56)

• Mary the wife of Clopas (Jn 19.25)

• Mary the mother of John Mark (Acts 12.12)

• One unidentified Mary (Rom 16.6)

• Mary Magdalene (from Magdala; Lk 8.2).

– Nearly all are connected with a male, except for Mary Magdalene• Magdala probably = modern-day Migdal near the Sea of Galilee.

Who Was Mary Magdalene?


– Nearly all are connected with a male, except for Mary Magdalene

– A common confusion of three women:• Sinful woman, wet Jesus’ feet – Lk 7.36-50 (at Simon’s

home)• Mary Magdalene from whom seven demons had gone out –

Lk 8.1-3


“Soon afterwards, He began going around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means.”

Luke 8:1-3

• The Bible:– Seven “Mary’s” in the Bible:– Nearly all are connected with a male, except for Mary Magdalene– A common confusion of three women:

• Sinful woman, wet Jesus’ feet – Lk 7.36-50 (at Simon’s home)• Mary Magdalene from whom seven demons had gone out – Lk

8.1-3• Mary, sister of Lazarus, also wet Jesus’ feet – Jn 12.1-3; 11.1-2


“Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”

John 12:1-3


“Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.”

John 11:1-2



– A common confusion of three women:• Sinful woman, wet Jesus’ feet – Lk 7.36-50 (at Simon’s home)• Mary Magdalene from whom seven demons had gone out – Lk

8.1-3• Mary, sister of Lazarus, also wet Jesus’ feet – Jn 12.1-3; 11.1-2



– A common confusion of three women:• Sinful woman, wet Jesus’ feet – Lk 7.36-50 (at Simon’s home)• Mary Magdalene from whom seven demons had gone out – Lk

8.1-3• Mary, sister of Lazarus, also wet Jesus’ feet – Jn 12.1-3; 11.1-2• Pope Gregory I of the 6th Century was the first to confuse

them


• What do we know about Mary?– From Magdala; Seven demons cast out– One of several woman who traveled with Jesus and His disciples -- Lk 8.1-3;

Mk 15.41

– Probably not married, since not connected to any male– At the cross along with the other women – Mt 27.55-56; Mk 15.40-41; Jn 19.25

– Along with other women, went to the tomb on Friday – Mt 27.61; Mk 15.47

– Along with other women, went back to tomb Sunday a.m. – Mt 28.1; Mk 16.1

– Jesus appeared to her and the other women and told them to go tell the disciples he is alive – Mt 28.1-7; Luke 24:10-11

• But he appeared to Mary first – Mk 16.9; Jn 20.11-18


“Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons.”

Mark 16:9


Mk 15.41





• But he appeared to Mary first – Mk 16.9; Jn 20.11-18


Who Was Mary Magdalene?John 20:11-18

“But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. And they said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.’ When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ’Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’ Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, ‘Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means, Teacher). Jesus said to her, ‘Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.' Mary Magdalene came, announcing to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord,’ and that He had said these things to her.”


Mk 15.41





• But he appeared to Mary first – Mk 16.9; Jn 20.11-18– Not unusual for women to feel so free with Jesus or for Jesus to

go against the popular culture (Lk 7; Jn 12.1-3; Mt 9.20; Jn 4)


“And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him”

Mt 28.9

• “Historically beyond dispute”?

• Biblical Evidence:– “Traveling with Jesus while unconnected to another man would be highly

unusual in Jewish culture. Thus she must have been married to Jesus” • Answer:

– Many women traveled with Jesus (Mk 15.41; Lk 8.1-3)

Was Jesus Married?

“There were also some women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses, and Salome. When He was in Galilee, they used to follow Him and minister to Him; and there were many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.”

Mark 15:40-41


• Biblical Evidence:– “Traveling with Jesus while unconnected to another man would be highly

unusual in Jewish culture. Thus she must have been married to Jesus” • Answer:

– Many women traveled with Jesus (Mk 15.41; Lk 8.1-3)– No passage links Mary exclusively with Jesus– If Jesus had been married, there was plenty of

opportunity for the Bible to say so:» Mentions Jesus’ mother, brothers and sisters, so why not his wife?

(Mt 12.46-47; 13.55-56)» At the cross, Jesus showed concern for his mother, but said nothing

of Mary Magdalene, who was likewise present (Jn 19.26-27)» Paul in 1 Cor 9.5-6 had a perfect opportunity, yet completely silent.

Was Jesus Married?

“Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or do only Barnabas and I not have a right to refrain from working?”

1 Cor 9:5-6


• Biblical Evidence:– “Such a public display by the sinful woman of Lk 7.36f would be offensive to

1st Century Jews, unless she was Jesus’ wife”

• Answer:– No proof that this was Mary.– It was offensive to the host, Simon (Lk 7.39).

Was Jesus Married?

“Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner.’”

Luke 7:39


• Biblical Evidence:– “Such a public display by the sinful woman of Lk 7.36f would be offensive to

1st Century Jews, unless she was Jesus’ wife”

• Answer:– No proof that this was Mary.– It was offensive to the host, Simon (Lk 7.39).– Jesus often did “offensive” things (e.g. Jn 4; Mt

12.1-2; 15.1-2,12)

Was Jesus Married?


• Biblical Evidence:– “Scriptures are silent in order to protect Mary”

• Answer:

– Arguments from silence prove nothing, except that the scriptures say nothing about Jesus and Mary being married.

– The scriptures never tried to protect anyone else from persecution (e.g. Jesus’ mother).

Was Jesus Married?


• Biblical Evidence: None

• Early Church Fathers:– Same as the four Gospels, i.e. No evidence.

Was Jesus Married?

• “Historically beyond dispute”?• Biblical Evidence: None• Early Church Fathers: None• Gnostic gospels

– The Gospel of Philip – Jesus kissing Mary, his “companion” (Philip 63:32-64.10):

• “And the companion of the [Lord] Mary Magdalene [loved] her more than [all] the disciples [and used to] kiss her [often] on her […].”

– Brackets = broken and missing sections in the manuscript

• Two disputed questions:– Where was the kiss? On the forehead, cheek or mouth?– Does “companion” mean “wife”?

» Greek koinonos = “Partners” (Lk 5.10; 2 Cor 8.23); “partakers”; “fellowship”, “sharers”. Never “wife” in Scripture

» “Wife” is Gk. Gyne» Many Gnostic stories are symbolic for spiritual ideas.

Was Jesus Married?



• Early Church Fathers: None

• Gnostic gospels– The Gospel of Philip – Jesus kissing Mary, his “companion” (Philip 63:32-

64.10)

– The Gospel of Mary Magdalene 17.10-18.21

• Levi to Peter (re. Peter’s complaint that Jesus appeared to Mary first): “But if the Savior made her worthy, who are you indeed to reject her. Surely the Savior knows her very well. That is why He loved her more than us.”– Supposedly suggests a sexual relationship with Mary.– Makes no such suggestion (cf. Jn 11.5,36; 19.26; 20.2;

21.7,20)

Was Jesus Married?




• Gnostic gospels– The Gospel of Philip – Jesus kissing Mary, his “companion” (Philip 63:32-

64.10)

– The Gospel of Mary Magdalene 17.10-18.21

– Thus, neither one suggests marriage or sexual relationship.– Both “Gospels” dated to 3rd Century (Philip Jenkins, a Distinguished Professor of History and

Religious Studies at Penn State University)

– What is there to confirm their accuracy?

Was Jesus Married?




• Gnostic gospels: None

• An unmarried Rabbi or adult Jew = “un-Jewish”?– Many exceptions:

• Permitted students of the Law (Rabbinic teachings; HI:JFCCE:2.119f)• The Essene and Qumran communities were celibate:

– Josephus (Antiquites 18.1.5.20-21; Wars, 2.8.2.121-121)» Josephus held the Essenes in high regard for their celibacy.

– Philo (Hypothetica 11.14-17)

• Jeremiah; John the Baptist (Elijah); Apostle Paul (1 Cor 7.8-9)

Was Jesus Married?





• An unmarried Rabbi or adult Jew = “un-Jewish”?– Many exceptions

– Jesus taught celibacy as a legitimate option – Mt 19.10-12

Was Jesus Married?

“The disciples said to Him, ‘If the relationship of the man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry.’ But He said to them, ‘Not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom it has been given. For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother's womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it.’”

Mt 19:10-12







– Good reason to break the normal custom of marriage:

• Itinerant lifestyle and total devotion to God.

• Would be killed at young age (cf. 1 Cor 7.26-29)

• If had a child, men would argue about his divinity.

Was Jesus Married?

• “Historically beyond dispute”?• Biblical Evidence: None• Early Church Fathers: None• Gnostic gospels: None• An unmarried Rabbi or adult Jew = “un-Jewish”?

– Many exceptions– Jesus taught celibacy as a legitimate option – Mt 19.10-12– Good reason to break the normal custom of marriage.

• No reason to hide a marriage of Jesus and Mary– A married Jesus would not offend his claims to divinity:

• Jesus did many human things: hungered, thirsted, grew tired, wept, was tempted, etc.

• Marriage, sex and children were created in the minds of God

Was Jesus Married?







– Good reason to break the normal custom of marriage.

• No reason to hide a marriage of Jesus and Mary– A married Jesus would not offend his claims to divinity

– A married Jesus would not even have offended the Roman Catholic Church:

• Proof: RCC veneration of Mary the mother of Jesus

Was Jesus Married?

• Jesus had no special relationship with Mary Magdalene

• Jesus’ bachelorhood is “a matter of historical record” and “beyond dispute”

Conclusion

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Who Was Mary Madalene? Was Jesus Married?