Who was Mary
Magdalene?
Demon
possessed; Prostitute; Women’s Liberation advocate;
wife or companion
of Jesus.
There
is very little said about Mary in the canonized scriptures, but there
are various other writings that talk about her extensively. Most are not believable since they carry
“Gnostic” overtones which the scriptures denounce.
However
these other writings such as “The Gospel
of Thomas” while not deemed authentic, does shed light on the culture and
“mind set” of the era and I will hitch hike on that.
Mary was a very common name
One out of four Jewish women in the first century was named Mary;
six are named in the New Testament.
- Mary of
- Mary
the mother of Mark – Opened her home for meetings.
- Mary
the mother of James – Mentioned as “The
Other Mary” - Is mentioned
most often in service along side of Mary Magdalene
- Mary and
Martha
of Bethany helped by providing
a place for Jesus to stay in their home.
This is the Mary that anointed Jesus with oil and wiped His feet
with her hair.
- Mary of
Nazareth,
the mother of Jesus, was present from time to time in the ministry, but did not seam to accompany Jesus on
his journeys, but was present at the end.
- Mary of
Magdala
– Cured of seven demons by Jesus. – She was always present - working
quietly in the background with devotion to Jesus’ life - His death - and
His resurrection.
WHO MARY
MAGDALENE WAS NOT
ANOINTED
JESUS with Oil
- Students of the Bible
have assumed that it was Mary Magdalene that poured the expensive oil on
Jesus, which would have cost a year’s wages. But it is legend alone that links her to
this story, probably because of her wealth and her ability to afford the costly
perfume.
- Mark speaks of an unnamed woman in the home of
Simon the Leper, pouring perfume on Jesus. Mary Magdalene is never mentioned in
Mark. It is thought that Simon the
Leper is the Pharisee that is mentioned in the story in Luke.
- John speaks of Jesus in
the home of Mary of Bethany
and her anointing Him with oil.
- This is actually two
different stories
- Mary Magdalene is
introduced to us much later in time than this; but in my mind, I
certainly would like for it to have been Mary Magdalene.
Mark 14:3-9 – Home of Simon the Leper
3 While he was in Bethany
9 I tell you the truth,
wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will
also be told, in memory of her."
John 12:1-3 – Home of Mary, Martha and Lazarius of Bethany
12:1 Six days before the
Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany
2 Here a dinner was given
in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the
table with him.
3 Then Mary took about
a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and
wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of
the perfume. NIV
A
PROSTITUTE – Guilty by association –
but no evidence
- Luke’s account is similar to
Mark’s and expands it saying
this un-named woman is a
sinner.
- The new
Living Translation says – “A
certain immoral woman”
- The
Amplified Bible says
“For she is a notorious sinner ( a social outcast, devoted to sin)
- The
definition or meaning of “Sinner” was a person who did not rigorously keep the
Laws; this could mean anything from when she washed her hands to walking
too far on the Sabbath. “Sinner”
is never translated Prostitute.
- Sidebar: Other scripture
speaks of an unnamed woman caught in the act of adultery. Maybe
this was Mary Magdalene (By the way, where was the man caught in
the act; the law applied to both of them)
- Jesus cast seven demons
out of a woman named Mary from Magdala..
- So here we have it… Combining
all the accounts; this was a sinful woman who was probably a
prostitute and her name was Mary, probably from Magdala.
Luke 7:36 -48 – Home of a Pharisee - The Woman was a sinner
36 Now one of the Pharisees
invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house
and reclined at the table.
37 When a woman who had
lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the
Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume,
38 and as she stood behind
him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she
wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
39 When the Pharisee who
had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a
prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is-that she is a sinner."
44 Then he turned toward
the woman and said to Simon,
"Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any
water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her
hair.
45 You did not give me a
kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my
feet.
46 You did not put oil on
my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.
47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been
forgiven-for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves
little."
48 Then Jesus said to her,
"Your sins are forgiven." NIV
John 8:3-11 – Woman caught in the act of adultery
3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees
brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group
4 and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman
was caught in the act of adultery.
5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such
women. Now what do you say?"
9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at
a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still
standing there.
10 Jesus straightened up and asked her,
"Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"
11 "No one, sir," she said. "Then
neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your
life of sin." NIV
Luke 8:2 – Mary has seven
demons cast out
2 and also some women who had been cured of evil
spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom SEVEN demons had
come out;
JESUS’ WIFE or close
companion
- The scriptures
identify the relationships of Jesus; His Mother, His brothers and tells of
his sisters, but no mention of a wife or companion. Mary is always identified as Mary
Magdalene or Mary of Magdala.
- Mary is always
pictured with other women providing the needs of the ministry.
- No record in the Gospel,
canonical or non-canonical is reported to show the relationship
between Mary and Jesus as being
married - NONE
- She is not mentioned
during the lifetime of Jesus except at the end of His ministry.
- Mary referred to
Jesus as “Teacher”, not “sweet cheeks” or some other term of endearment.
- Is
it possible that Jesus was married to Mary? YES…
It is also possible that He was married to Martha or her sister Mary, or
to one of the many women in the entourage.
- It’s more possible that
Mary was married to someone from her hometown, as was Joanna her
co-worker; the canonized scripture (our
Bible)
does not tell us.
- Married
-
Obscure writing indicate that Mary was married to the Jew, Pappus ben Juda
and divorced him to marry ”Panther” an officer of Herod Antipas entourage
which aroused public indignation (sinful)
- although this is circulated, the information is not deemed correct from
a historical prospective.
- There are writing
that suggest that Jesus kissed Mary.
A kiss was adopted as a formal greeting among believers and was
usually given on the forehead, cheek or beard. Out of the mouth of the Teacher came
knowledge and wisdom. Through the
mouth the Gospel is presented – It conceives – It gives birth.
- Most writers are men;
and women are a far better subject matter than men and receive more
embellishments. - Remember; “The Da
Vinci Code”, “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “The Last Temptation of Christ”.
- – From
my earthly prospective, “I want” Jesus to have Loved Mary, but the
Bible just does not support this.
Mark 15:40 -41 – Many women worked to provide care
40 Some women were
watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the
mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.
41 In Galilee these women had
followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come
up with him to Jerusalem
WHO MARY
MAGDALENE WAS
From MADALA
- Mary in the Greek
form is “Strong”
- Mary was from a
town called Madala the region of
- The word “Madala” is
Hebrew for “Watchtower” and probably got this name because of the tower
that guarded their city.
- It had about 4000
inhabitants, sported about 230 boats; had 80 weaver shops and some 300
shops that sold just pigeons for sacrifices. This town was in the same region as
- According to the “Talmud” Rabbinic writings, Magdala
had a reputation of PROSTITUTION.
- Mary is mention in
the Gospels only 13 times. She is
also mentioned in the Gnostic writings
found at “Nag Hammadi” in; “The Gospel of Peter”, “The Gospel of
Philip” and “The Gospel of Mary”; other writings “Dialogue
of the Savior”, “The Gospel of the Egyptians” and “The
Greater Questions of Mary”.
- Sidebar: As I read these other writings, I felt
the same rhythm, cadence, verbiage and thoughts that I found in the Freemason’s oaths, doctrines and
dogma. Just saying
- Mary is not
considered a major player in the scriptures although she is very prominent
near the end of the Life of Jesus.
DEMON POSSESSED
- Mary was said to have
seven demons cast out of her by Jesus.
- In scripture the
number seven represents completeness.
I would purport that Mary was completely taken over by
demons and Jesus completely cast them out of her and forgave completely,
all her sins.
- We cannot limit
Mary’s illness to one sphere alone, the physical, the mental
or the moral, but it seems more mentally ill than Morally
dissolute.
- This would account
for her complete and profound devotion to Jesus.
Luke 8:1-2– Jesus cast out
demons from Mary Magdalene
1 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town
and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God
2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom SEVEN demons had
come out;
WEALTHY
- You will also note
that Mary had substance or assets as she helped provide for the ministry
of Jesus out of her own means.
Other writing indicate Mary’s family was very wealthy and had died
and left her a substantial inheritance.
It should be noted here that there was no “Middle Class” – Some had
a lot of wealth, but the majority were scrape along poor.
- The Greek term for “ministered”
can be translated “served” and can be extended to mean – facilitate,
promote, advance forward, and even underwrite - “finance”.
- Joanna was the wife
of Chuza, King Herod’s personal steward and also had money
available for the ministry.
Luke 8:3 – Mary had
assets.
3 Joanna the
wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These
women were helping to support them out of their own means. NIV
Luke 8:3 – She ministered
– served – facilitated- financed
3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward,
and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their
substance. KJV
THERE TO THE END – and beyond
- After all the
Disciples had disappeared, Mary was still following.
- Mary was present
during the mock trial of Jesus;
heard His death sentence; saw
the beatings, felt His humiliation and stayed near even
to his death and burial.
- After the Sabbath,
she planned to anoint Him with spices and perfume for burial. His resurrection occurred just before
dawn and before Mary got there.
- When He appeared to
her she did not recognize Him until He spoke her name.
- She called him
"Rabboni" which means “Teacher”. (She
didn’t call to Him with a term of endearment)
- It is thought that
she was one of the women present in the upper room awaiting the coming of
the Holy Spirit.
Mark 15:40 -41 – She had
followed Him
40 Some women were
watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the
mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.
41 In Galilee these women had
followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with
him to Jerusalem
Matt 27:55-56 – She watched at first from a distance
55 Many women were there, watching
from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs.
56 Among them were Mary
Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's
sons. NIV
John 19:25-26 – Mary draws near the cross
25 Near the cross of Jesus
stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary
Magdalene. NIV
Luke 23:55-56 – She prepared spices for His burial
55 The women who had come
with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body
was laid in it.
56 Then they went home and
prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in
obedience to the commandment. NIV
John 20:15-16 – Mary called the resurrected Jesus – “Teacher”
15 "Woman," he
said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking
he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me
where you have put him, and I will get him."
16 Jesus said to her,
"Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic,
"Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). NIV
Acts 1:13 -14 Awaiting
the coming of the Holy Spirit
14 They all joined
together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother
of Jesus, and with his brothers. NIV
PAINTING
THE “WOMAN” PORTRAIT
THE GNOSTIC Mindset – far out stuff – More than you want to know
- Gnostics
– “People
in the know” – Taught secret
revelations combined with a mixing of myths and rites drawn from a
variety of religious traditions.
They believe we are all in a time continuum and Jesus had taught secret
teachings to the Apostles that moved them along the continuum.
- The Gnostics
maintained that this material world and all that’s in it is the result of
a cosmic catastrophe, and was
created by an evil lesser god and our soul needs to escape this material
world and return to the world of the spirit.
- Salvation can not be obtained till
ALL souls have returned to
the spiritual realm.
- But we can’t escape
as long as “women” keep having
babies. – So avoid procreation; - don’t participate. A non-reproductive woman is “on her way”
to becoming a “man” and thus entering the kingdom of heaven. Is this some messed up stuff or what?
- If you can just
comprehend the Gnostic thinking, that women were part of a time continuum; starting with plants, then bugs, then
animals, then women, then men and finally a god. So, ultimately as you progress along the
continuum you would be like the gods.
- A “female” in the
time continuum, was actually a “male” that had just not “arrived
yet”. – So a female was considered “second class” person. –
an inferior human being – inferior to men.
- This thought process
had to do with domination.
The top denominates downward like a master over his slave. The more powerful Male is supposed to
dominate the less powerful female. Far out
stuff, huh !
WOMENS LIB Movement
- Women were considered
“second class” to their father, brothers and husband. The message of Jesus was of freedom and equality
of the sexes; liberation from the constraints, restrictions of Jewish Law
concerning women. This may be why
so many women were attracted to the teachings of Christ.
- Women’s Lib was not
the agenda of Christ, as all twelve of His inner circle of disciples were
male, although women were certainly liberated to function as they desired.
- Mary is always mentioned
first among the women and thus by interpretation, she can be assumed to be
the leader of the Women’s Ministry, and obviously had leadership
qualities.
- She was a female
disciple. (follower)
Matt 19:29 – Reversal
of fortune
29 And everyone who has
left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields
for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal
life. NIV
Luke 13:30 – The last
shall be first.
30 And indeed there are
last who will be first, and there are first who will be last." NKJV
Luke 14:11 -12 – The humble
shall be exalted
11 For whoever exalts
himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
NKJV
Mark 3:34 -35 – A new
family - Now
34 Then he looked at those
seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my
brothers!
35 Whoever does God's will
is my brother and sister and mother." NIV
Mark 12:25 -26 – No man
will dominate a woman in Heaven.
25 When the dead rise, they
will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels
in heaven. NIV
1 Cor 7:6-7 – Being single frees you from restrictions of
service
7 I wish that all men
were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift,
another has that. NIV
1 Cor 7:25-27 – Advice - If you plan to serve – stay single
25 Now about virgins: I
have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord's
mercy is trustworthy.
26 Because of the present
crisis, I think that it is good for you to remain as you are. NIV
THE APOCALYPTCIST Mindset – This is who we are.
- The belief that the
- The Apocalyptic mindset
might have also been a “quality” which drew women into the ministry;
believing that they would be part of the kingdom in EQUALITY. No more oppression based on gender or
class.
- The Essenes who are
thought to have provided the
- The Essenes were celibate
and had moved to the desert to devote themselves totally to God. - They were single men - Paul was single
– So it is plausible for Jesus to have remained single also.
- In the
Mark 12:25 – Sexless in Heaven
25 When the dead rise,
they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels
in heaven. NIV
1 Cor 7:6-7
– Paul remained single
7 I wish that all men
were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift,
another has that. NIV
THE FIRST APOSTLE – Beginning of Christianity
- Mary was commissioned
to go and tell what had happened. That
would make her the first apostle.
- The Greek word
“Apostle” means “One who has been
sent” – Disciple means “follower”
- God used a woman;
deemed “second class”, to spread the Gospel - He used the weaker vessel,
considered foolish, to confound those who think themselves wise.
- There were other
Apostles that were women mention in the scriptures. Junia is a female name
and so is Priscilla.
- I know that this is a
stretch,
but Mary Magdalene could be said to have established or originated
“Christianity” as she was the first to believe that Jesus Christ was “raised
from the dead” and went and told others as none of the Twelve Disciples
were present.
- The
resurrection
is the bed rock of Christianity. What if Mary had not gone to the
grave on the third day?
- Up until this time
they preached the coming of the
Matt 28:5-7 – Commissioned to go and tell
5 The angel said to the
women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who
was crucified.
6 He is not here; he has
risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
7 Then go quickly and
tell his disciples: `He has risen from the dead
Mark 16:6-7 – Commissioned to go and tell
6 "Don't be
alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was
crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.
7 But go, tell his
disciples and Peter, ` NIV
Rom 16:7 - Junia was a woman apostle
7 Salute Andronicus and Junia,
my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ
before me.
KJV
Rom 16:3 – Priscilla was a woman apostle
3 Greet Priscilla and
Aquila my helpers in Christ
Jesus: KJV
Noli Tangere – Touch Me Not.
- In my mind, I want to
see a tearful Mary taking Jesus’ arm and holding on ever so tightly,
overjoyed to see him and not wanting Him to ever leave again. However, she may not have actually
touched Him and His words may have been for her to just release Him in her
heart to the spiritual realm.
- Jesus told Mary not
to touch Him – The reason - because
He had not ascended YET to the Father. The implication is that their
relationship would continue after his ascension and be different in
another dimension. Ponder that.
John 20:17
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch
me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and
say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God,
and your God. KJV
John 20:17 - Touch me not KJV - "Do not cling to Me” NKJV - "Do not hold on to Me” NIV“- Do not Cling to Me (Do not hold Me) AMP
JEALOUSY – Maybe, maybe not
·
There
may have been some resentment from Peter
concerning Mary’s relationship with Jesus as He appeared to her FIRST before He
appeared to Peter. The Gospel of Thomas found at “Nag Hammadi”
indicates a lot of tension or competition between Mary and Peter. I only mention this here for seasoning. (This Gospel subscribes to the Gnostic system)
- In the “Gospel of Mary”, Peter says, Jesus
loved Mary more than all the other women.
Mary did not write this
Gospel and this is not found in the scriptures anywhere.
- The “Gospel of Thomas” speaks of Jesus
kissing Mary on the mouth. (It’s possible it
said that, but parts are missing from the document - Even complete this
would not necessarily make “The Gospel of Thomas” true.)
- I must point out that
Mark 16:9-20 does not appear in the early manuscripts and other
ancient manuscripts do not have it either.
It seems it may have been added by a scribe later. Some students question theses passages. I have no problem with it. - Just saying
- With the Gnostic mindset,
it would be inconceivable that Jesus would have appeared to a woman
and not a man. – Therefore, I can see how the scriptures and other
writings might be “tilted” to
overlook the work of women.
Mark 16:9 – Jesus appears first to Mary Magdalene
When Jesus rose early on
the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he
had driven seven demons NIV
Luke 24:9-11 – Peter did not respect Mary
9 When they came back from
the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others.
10 It was Mary
Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who
told this to the apostles.
11 But they did not
believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.
NIV
1 Cor 1:27 – God uses
the weaker things to confound the wise
27 But God hath chosen the
foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak
things of the world to confound the things which are mighty KJV
SUMMARY OF MARY MAGDALENE
- Mary was from the
town of
- Jesus cast seven
demons out of Mary – We believe seven symbolizes completeness
and she was completely healed of her illness and completely forgiven for
her sins.
- Mary became a devoted
follower of Jesus and used her wealth to provide for the needs of the
ministry. She embraced the apocalyptic
mindset of Jesus and “Women’s Lib”.
- She could have been
married before she joined the ministry as other writings suggest.
- She was not a
prostitute – Did not anoint Jesus with Oil – was not His wife – bore Him
no children. – And only referred to Him as”Teacher”.
- She was the leader of
the women apostles – “Women of the Church”
- She was present at
the mock trial, death sentence, beatings, humiliations, death &
burial.
- She was the first to
see Jesus resurrected and was commissioned to “go and tell”.
- God used Mary, the
weaker vessel, considered foolish, to confound the mighty and wise.
1 Cor 1:27
In the multitude of counselors,
there is wisdom.
Prov 11:14
I am grateful for those
that went before me providing
concepts, ideas,
historical information and scripture verses.
A commentary; Jamieson, Fausset, Brown – Eerdmans
A Survey of the New Testament – Robert H. Gundry
Bad Girls of the Bible – Liz Curtis Higgs
Baker Commentary on the Bible – Zondervan
Bible Almanac, The – Packer Tenny White.
Compact Bible Dictionary, The new - Zondervan
Covenant Bible Study: notes – Marcus E. McDonald
Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible – Dake
Girls of the Bible – Harvey Albert Snyder
Harpers Bible Dictionary- Harper & Row
International Dictionary of the Bible; The – Tenney
International Dictionary of the Bible, The new – J.D. Douglas
Illustrated Bible Dictionary, The – Tyndale
Illustrated Bible Dictionary, The – Nelson’s
Illustrated Manners & Customs of the Bible – Packer/Tenny
King James Version Bible
Matthew Henry’s Commentary – Zondervan
Mysteries of the Bible - Readers Digest
Nave’s Topical Bible - Nelson
New International Version Bible
NIV Naves Topical Bible - Zondervan
Peter, Paul and Mary Magdalene – Bart D.Ehrman
Roget’s International Thesaurus – Harper & Row
Theomatics – Jerry
Lucas
Today’s Dictionary of the Bible – T.A Bryant
Today’s Dictionary of the Bible – Guidepost
Who’s Who in the Bible – Paul D. Gardner
Wycliff Bible Commentary; The – Moody Press
Victor Journey through the Bible; The - Beers
Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia; The – Zondervan
Zondervan Topical Bible - Nave
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