Who Really was Mary Who Really was Mary Magdalene?Magdalene?

Bob SudduthBob Sudduth

HIS 4100HIS 4100

Fall, 2005Fall, 2005

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

Why we think what we think Why we think what we think about who Mary Magdalene isabout who Mary Magdalene is

• Some things we can learn from the Some things we can learn from the four canonical gospels.four canonical gospels.

• Pope Gregory I and Pope Gregory I and Homily 33Homily 33..

• Tradition, legends and art.Tradition, legends and art.

From the GospelsFrom 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(Mat 27:55, Mark 15:40)- from a distance(John 19:25) at the cross(John 19:25) at the cross

• Mary at the tomb when Jesus was laid to rest (Mat 27:61, Mark Mary at the tomb when Jesus was laid to rest (Mat 27:61, Mark 15:47)15:47)

• Mary went to the tomb the following Sunday, some say to prepare Mary went to the tomb the following Sunday, some say to prepare the body (Mat 28:1, Mark 16:1- with others) the body (Mat 28:1, Mark 16:1- with others) John 20:1, she goes John 20:1, she goes alone.alone.

• Angel appears to Mary at the tomb (Mat 28:2-8, Mark 16:4-8, Luke Angel appears to Mary at the tomb (Mat 28:2-8, Mark 16:4-8, Luke 24:1-11)24:1-11)

• Jesus appears first to Mary at the tomb (Mat 28:9, Mark 4:9, Jesus appears first to Mary at the tomb (Mat 28:9, Mark 4:9, John John 20:14- alone20:14- 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 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.24:11, John 20:18) who do or do not believe her.

Pope Gregory IPope Gregory I

• Mary Magdalene is grouped with Mary of Mary Magdalene is grouped with Mary of Bethany and Luke’s “sinful woman.”Bethany and Luke’s “sinful woman.”

• After this, she is also considered to be the After this, she is also considered to be the adulterous woman whom Jesus keeps from adulterous woman whom Jesus keeps from being stoned.being stoned.

• This is how Mary was portrayed in This is how Mary was portrayed in Jesus Jesus Christ Superstar, The Last Temptation of Christ Superstar, The Last Temptation of Christ, and Passion of the Christ.Christ, and Passion of the Christ.

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

The Penitent MagdaleneThe Penitent Magdalene1638-1643, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York1638-1643, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

DonatelloDonatelloThe Penitent MagdaleneThe Penitent Magdalenec. 1453-55c. 1453-55

Wood with polychromy and goldWood with polychromy and gold

The Repentant St Mary MagdaleneThe Repentant St Mary Magdalene1617-211617-21Oil on canvas, 98 x 78,5 cmOil on canvas, 98 x 78,5 cmGalleria Doria-Pamphili, RomeGalleria Doria-Pamphili, Rome

Gentileschi, ArtemisiaGentileschi, ArtemisiaPenitent MagdalenePenitent Magdalenec. 1630/32c. 1630/32

Oil on canvasOil on canvas

El GrecoEl GrecoPenance of Mary MagdalenePenance of Mary Magdalene1587-971587-97Oil on canvasOil on canvas

Noli Me TangereNoli Me Tangere Titian (Tiziano Vecellio, Italian, 1495-1576)Titian (Tiziano Vecellio, Italian, 1495-1576)

Mary Magdalene in the DesertMary Magdalene in the Desert1640-411640-41Oil on canvas, 226 x 181 cmOil on canvas, 226 x 181 cmMuseo del Prado, MadridMuseo del Prado, Madrid

Mary Magdalene in the GrottoMary Magdalene in the GrottoJules-Joseph LefebvreJules-Joseph Lefebvre18761876

Dan Brown, Dan Brown, The Da Vinci The Da Vinci CodeCode• ““A woman who carried with her a secret so powerful that, if A woman who carried with her a secret so powerful that, if

revealed, it threatened to devastate the very foundation of revealed, it threatened to devastate the very foundation of Christianity.” (p 247)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 the marriage of Jesus and Mary Magdalene is part of the

historical record.” (p 255)historical record.” (p 255)• “… “… it was not it was not PeterPeter to whom Christ gave directions with to whom Christ gave directions with

which to establish the Christian Church. It was which to establish the Christian Church. It was Mary Mary MagdaleneMagdalene. (p 259). (p 259)

• ““Mary Magdalene was of Royal descent.” (p 260)Mary Magdalene was of Royal descent.” (p 260)

Dan Brown, Dan Brown, The Da Vinci The Da Vinci CodeCode(continued)(continued)

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

What the (male) disciples What the (male) disciples lackedlacked• Courage and faithCourage and faith

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

What the (male) disciples What the (male) disciples lackedlacked(continued)(continued)

• WisdomWisdom

Mat 15:16 “…Are you, like them, still Mat 15:16 “…Are you, like them, still without wisdom?” Jesus must further without wisdom?” Jesus must further explain his teaching to his disciples.explain his teaching to his disciples.

What the (male) disciples What the (male) disciples lackedlacked(continued)(continued)

• VigilanceVigilance

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

What Mary hadWhat Mary had

• ““I will now speak to you of that which I will now speak to you of that which has not been given to you to hear.” has not been given to you to hear.” Mary, to the disciples.Mary, to the disciples.Gospel of Mary Magdalene p 10 lines 8, Gospel of Mary Magdalene p 10 lines 8, 99

• ““Surely the Teacher knew her very well, Surely the Teacher knew her very well, for he loved her more than us.” (Levi, for he loved her more than us.” (Levi, defending Mary, to the other disciples.)defending Mary, to the other disciples.)MaryMary p 18 lines 13, 14 p 18 lines 13, 14

What Mary hadWhat Mary had (continued)(continued)

• Mary said to Jesus, "What are your Mary said to Jesus, "What are your disciples like?" He said, "They are disciples like?" He said, "They are like little children living in a field that like little children living in a field that is not theirs…”is not theirs…”

The Gospel of ThomasThe Gospel of Thomas 21 21

What Mary hadWhat Mary had (continued)(continued)

• ““Mary, thou blessed one, whom I will Mary, thou blessed one, whom I will perfect in all mysteries of those of the perfect in all mysteries of those of the height, discourse in openness, thou, whose height, discourse in openness, thou, whose heart is raised to the kingdom of heaven heart is raised to the kingdom of heaven more than all thy brethren.”more than all thy brethren.”Pistis SophiaPistis Sophia ch 17 ch 17

• ““Question concerning what thou desirest Question concerning what thou desirest to question, and I will reveal it to thee with to question, and I will reveal it to thee with precision and certainty.”precision and certainty.”Pistis SophiaPistis Sophia ch 83 ch 83

What Mary hadWhat Mary had (continued)(continued)

• According to the According to the Sophia of JesusSophia of Jesus, , Mary was one of seven women along Mary was one of seven women along with the twelve disciples who with the twelve disciples who continue to follow Jesus after the continue to follow Jesus after the resurrection.resurrection.

What Mary hadWhat Mary had (continued)(continued)

• According to the According to the Gospel of PhilipGospel of Philip, three people , three people always walked with Jesus: his sister, Mary; his always walked with Jesus: his sister, Mary; his Mother Mary; and Mary Magdalene.Mother Mary; and Mary Magdalene.

• "Why do I not love you like her? When a blind "Why do I not love you like her? When a blind man and one who sees are both together in man and one who sees are both together in darkness, they are no different from one darkness, they are no different from one another. When the light comes, then he who another. When the light comes, then he who sees will see the light, and he who is blind will sees will see the light, and he who is blind will remain in darkness." Jesus speaking to the remain in darkness." Jesus speaking to the twelve about Mary Magdalene.twelve about Mary Magdalene.

What happened to Mary?What happened to Mary?

• In In MaryMary, Andrew did not agree with Mary , Andrew did not agree with Mary because “These ideas are too different from because “These ideas are too different from those we have known.” p 17 line 13. those we have known.” p 17 line 13. Perhaps the guys just would not get it.Perhaps the guys just would not get it.

• Peter did not agree because the teachings Peter did not agree because the teachings came from a woman, “How is it possible that came from a woman, “How is it possible that the Teacher talked in this manner with a the Teacher talked in this manner with a woman about secrets of which we ourselves woman about secrets of which we ourselves are ignorant?” p 17 lines 15-17. are ignorant?” p 17 lines 15-17. “ ”“ ”

What happened to Mary?What happened to Mary? (continued)(continued)

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

SO …SO …

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