Who Really was Mary Magdalene? Bob Sudduth HIS 4100 Fall, 2005

The current, popular belief about Mary Magdalene is very different from the views expressed in early Christian writings.

Why we think what we think about who Mary Magdalene is Some things we can learn from the four canonical gospels. Some things we can learn from the four canonical gospels. Pope Gregory I and Homily 33. Pope Gregory I and Homily 33. Tradition, legends and art. Tradition, legends and art.

From the Gospels Jesus cast out seven demons from Mary (Luke 8: 2, 3, Mark 16:9) Jesus cast out seven demons from Mary (Luke 8: 2, 3, Mark 16:9) Mary supported Jesus’ Ministry (Mark 15:41) Mary supported Jesus’ Ministry (Mark 15:41) Mary was at Jesus’ execution Mary was at Jesus’ execution (Mat 27:55, Mark 15:40)- from a distance (John 19:25) at the cross Mary at the tomb when Jesus was laid to rest (Mat 27:61, Mark 15:47) Mary at the tomb when Jesus was laid to rest (Mat 27:61, Mark 15:47) Mary went to the tomb the following Sunday, some say to prepare the body (Mat 28:1, Mark 16:1- with others) John 20:1, she goes alone. Mary went to the tomb the following Sunday, some say to prepare the body (Mat 28:1, Mark 16:1- with others) John 20:1, she goes alone. Angel appears to Mary at the tomb (Mat 28:2-8, Mark 16:4-8, Luke 24:1- 11) Angel appears to Mary at the tomb (Mat 28:2-8, Mark 16:4-8, Luke 24:1- 11) Jesus appears first to Mary at the tomb (Mat 28:9, Mark 4:9, John 20:14- alone) Jesus appears first to Mary at the tomb (Mat 28:9, Mark 4:9, John 20:14- alone) Jesus gives Mary insight into what is happening (John 20:17) Jesus gives Mary insight into what is happening (John 20:17) Mary tells the other disciples (Mat 28:10, Mark 16:10, 11, Luke 24:11, John 20:18) who do or do not believe her. Mary tells the other disciples (Mat 28:10, Mark 16:10, 11, Luke 24:11, John 20:18) who do or do not believe her.

Pope Gregory I Mary Magdalene is grouped with Mary of Bethany and Luke’s “sinful woman.” Mary Magdalene is grouped with Mary of Bethany and Luke’s “sinful woman.” After this, she is also considered to be the adulterous woman whom Jesus keeps from being stoned. After this, she is also considered to be the adulterous woman whom Jesus keeps from being stoned. This is how Mary was portrayed in Jesus Christ Superstar, The Last Temptation of Christ, and Passion of the Christ. This is how Mary was portrayed in Jesus Christ Superstar, The Last Temptation of Christ, and Passion of the Christ.

Christ and St Mary Magdalene at the Tomb, 1638 Rembrandt van Rijn

The Penitent Magdalene , Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Donatello The Penitent Magdalene c Wood with polychromy and gold

The Repentant St Mary Magdalene Oil on canvas, 98 x 78,5 cm Galleria Doria-Pamphili, Rome

Gentileschi, Artemisia Penitent Magdalene c. 1630/32 Oil on canvas

El Greco Penance of Mary Magdalene Oil on canvas

Noli Me Tangere Titian (Tiziano Vecellio, Italian, )

Mary Magdalene in the Desert Oil on canvas, 226 x 181 cm Museo del Prado, Madrid

Mary Magdalene in the Grotto Jules-Joseph Lefebvre 1876

Dan Brown, The Da Vinci Code “A woman who carried with her a secret so powerful that, if revealed, it threatened to devastate the very foundation of Christianity.” (p 247) “A woman who carried with her a secret so powerful that, if revealed, it threatened to devastate the very foundation of Christianity.” (p 247) “The Holy Grail. The Sangreal. The Chalice.” (p 251) “The Holy Grail. The Sangreal. The Chalice.” (p 251) “… the Holy Grail.” (p 253) “… the Holy Grail.” (p 253) “… her marriage to Jesus Christ.” (p 254) “… her marriage to Jesus Christ.” (p 254) “… Jesus and Mary Magdalene were a pair.” (p 254) “… Jesus and Mary Magdalene were a pair.” (p 254) “… the marriage of Jesus and Mary Magdalene is part of the historical record.” (p 255) “… the marriage of Jesus and Mary Magdalene is part of the historical record.” (p 255) “… it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church. It was Mary Magdalene. (p 259) “… it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church. It was Mary Magdalene. (p 259) “Mary Magdalene was of Royal descent.” (p 260) “Mary Magdalene was of Royal descent.” (p 260)

Dan Brown, The Da Vinci Code (continued) “…Mary Magdalene was the Holy Vessel. She was the chalice that bore the royal bloodline of Jesus Christ. She was the womb that bore the lineage, and the vine from which the sacred fruit sprang forth!” (p 260) “…Mary Magdalene was the Holy Vessel. She was the chalice that bore the royal bloodline of Jesus Christ. She was the womb that bore the lineage, and the vine from which the sacred fruit sprang forth!” (p 260)

What the (male) disciples lacked Courage and faith Courage and faith Mat 8:26 “Why are you so full of fear, oh you of little faith.” After a day of performing miracles, Jesus has to rescue the disciples from a storm at sea. (also Mark 4:40 and Luke 8:25) Also Mat 14:31, when Peter walks on water. Also Mat 14:31, when Peter walks on water. Also Mat 16:8-11, when Jesus feeds the five thousand. Also Mat 16:8-11, when Jesus feeds the five thousand.

What the (male) disciples lacked (continued) Wisdom Wisdom Mat 15:16 “…Are you, like them, still without wisdom?” Jesus must further explain his teaching to his disciples.

What the (male) disciples lacked (continued) Vigilance Vigilance Mat 26:40 “What, were you not able to keep watch with me for one hour?” Immediately before Jesus’ arrest, when he was praying in the garden.

What Mary had “I will now speak to you of that which has not been given to you to hear.” Mary, to the disciples. “I will now speak to you of that which has not been given to you to hear.” Mary, to the disciples. Gospel of Mary Magdalene p 10 lines 8, 9 “Surely the Teacher knew her very well, for he loved her more than us.” (Levi, defending Mary, to the other disciples.) “Surely the Teacher knew her very well, for he loved her more than us.” (Levi, defending Mary, to the other disciples.) Mary p 18 lines 13, 14

What Mary had (continued) Mary said to Jesus, "What are your disciples like?" He said, "They are like little children living in a field that is not theirs…” Mary said to Jesus, "What are your disciples like?" He said, "They are like little children living in a field that is not theirs…” The Gospel of Thomas 21

What Mary had (continued) “Mary, thou blessed one, whom I will perfect in all mysteries of those of the height, discourse in openness, thou, whose heart is raised to the kingdom of heaven more than all thy brethren.” “Mary, thou blessed one, whom I will perfect in all mysteries of those of the height, discourse in openness, thou, whose heart is raised to the kingdom of heaven more than all thy brethren.” Pistis Sophia ch 17 “Question concerning what thou desirest to question, and I will reveal it to thee with precision and certainty.” “Question concerning what thou desirest to question, and I will reveal it to thee with precision and certainty.” Pistis Sophia ch 83

What Mary had (continued) According to the Sophia of Jesus, Mary was one of seven women along with the twelve disciples who continue to follow Jesus after the resurrection. According to the Sophia of Jesus, Mary was one of seven women along with the twelve disciples who continue to follow Jesus after the resurrection.

What Mary had (continued) According to the Gospel of Philip, three people always walked with Jesus: his sister, Mary; his Mother Mary; and Mary Magdalene. According to the Gospel of Philip, three people always walked with Jesus: his sister, Mary; his Mother Mary; and Mary Magdalene. "Why do I not love you like her? When a blind man and one who sees are both together in darkness, they are no different from one another. When the light comes, then he who sees will see the light, and he who is blind will remain in darkness." Jesus speaking to the twelve about Mary Magdalene. "Why do I not love you like her? When a blind man and one who sees are both together in darkness, they are no different from one another. When the light comes, then he who sees will see the light, and he who is blind will remain in darkness." Jesus speaking to the twelve about Mary Magdalene.

What happened to Mary? In Mary, Andrew did not agree with Mary because “These ideas are too different from those we have known.” p 17 line 13. Perhaps the guys just would not get it. In Mary, Andrew did not agree with Mary because “These ideas are too different from those we have known.” p 17 line 13. Perhaps the guys just would not get it. Peter did not agree because the teachings came from a woman, “How is it possible that the Teacher talked in this manner with a woman about secrets of which we ourselves are ignorant?” p 17 lines “ ” Peter did not agree because the teachings came from a woman, “How is it possible that the Teacher talked in this manner with a woman about secrets of which we ourselves are ignorant?” p 17 lines “ ”

What happened to Mary? (continued) The same criticisms offered by Peter and Andrew could be applied to the larger forces in history (such as Pope Gregory I in Homily 33). People are not comfortable with the content of Mary’s message, nor with the fact that she was a woman.

SO … The contemporary view of Mary Magdalene is very different from that of first and second century Christianity.