Mary Magdalene

Intro

I have debated that Mary Magdalene is not the women caught in adultery. Coincidentally, that specific story doesn't appear in the early manuscripts of John (see pericope adulterae blog). It has often become a topic of discussion within the church. Why has Mary Magdalene's name been dragged through the mud. Was she an immoral prostitute? Was she the wife of Jesus? I invite you to forget all that you think you know about her. Remove all of the movie scenes that display her as a sinner woman and together, let's focus on the Biblical facts.

Mary Magdalene

The full name of this woman has traditionally been taken to imply that she was from the city of Magdala, located on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. In the Talmud, this city is called “Magdala Nunayya” and seems to be the place where Jesus was in Matthew 15:39. In fact, Magdala may not refer to the city at all. The meaning of Magdala is “elegant, great, or tower”.

The first time she is mentioned in the Gospels she is specifically included among women who had been healed by Jesus from their sickness or from demonic possession; specifically that she had been freed from seven demons, most probably by Jesus (Luke 8:2). These women were Jesus’ disciples—they accompanied Him during His second Galilean tour—and they provided financial support for His ministry (verses 2, 3). In other words, Mary Magdalene was relatively wealthy.

Mary Magdalene came to play a significant role in the gospel narrative. She almost became the disciple par excellence. She witnessed Jesus’ death on the cross (Matt. 27:55, 56; John 19:25) and accompanied His body to the tomb (Matt. 27:60, 61). On Sunday morning, she was the first to arrive at Jesus’ tomb, and, seeing that it was empty, went and informed the disciples that someone had taken away Jesus’ body (John 20:1, 2). The other disciples came and found it to be true and went away, but Mary stayed behind and was the first to see the risen Lord (verse 15). He commissioned her to tell the disciples that He had been resurrected (verse 17). In obedience, she and the other women went to the disciples and announced that the Lord had risen (John 20:18; Matt. 28:7; Luke 24:9).

Mary Magdalene has been associated with the "woman in the city who was a sinner" (Luke 7:37) who washed Jesus' feet, but there is no scriptural basis for this. The city of Magdala did have a reputation for prostitution. This information, coupled with the fact that Luke first mentions Mary Magdalene immediately following his account of the sinful woman (Luke 7:36-50), has led some to equate the two women. But there is no scriptural evidence to support this idea. Mary Magdalene is nowhere identified as a prostitute or as a sinful woman, despite popular portrayals of her as such.

In his Homily 33, 591 AD, Pope Gregory the Great claimed that the seven devils cast out of Mary were the seven deadly sins (Lk. 8:2). He accompanied this with unnamed sinner at the washing of Jesus' feet.

"She had coveted with earthly eyes, but now through penitence these are consumed with tears. She displayed her hair to set off her face, but now her hair dries her tears. She had spoken proud things with her mouth, but in kissing the Lord’s feet, she now placed her mouth on the Redeemer’s feet. She turned the mass of her crimes to virtues." (Haskins 96)

"Gregory asserted that Mary Magdalene, Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus of Bethany, and the unnamed sinner in Luke who anoints Christ’s feet were all the same person." (Haskins 16)

•Luke first mentions Mary Magdalene, in chapter 8 immediately after the “female sinner” who washes the feet of Jesus in chapter 7.

•City of Magdala is believed to have a reputation of prostitution.

•No biblical evidence.

•Mary Magdalene is never explicitly identified as a prostitute, immoral, or sinful woman.

•The only label we can give Mary from her past is that Jesus cast 7 demons out of her.

Mary of Bethany and Mary Magdalene - Same Person ?

Mary of Bethany was the sister of Martha and Lazarus and lived in Bethany, in the region of Judea (Luke 10:38, 39; John 11:1, 2). She used to sit at Jesus’ feet to learn from Him. Since this was the posture assumed by a disciple, we can conclude that she was a disciple of Jesus. She anointed Jesus shortly before His crucifixion, revealing her devotion and love for Him (John 11:2; 12:1-8). This act was her expression of gratitude for the forgiving love of the Savior she experienced (Luke 7:47, 48). Luke implies that she had been forgiven much. After the anointing, no other mention is made of Mary of Bethany.

There were many “Mary’s” in the story of Jesus. Mary the mother of Christ, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, Mary the wife of Clopas, Mary of Bethany, and of course Mary Magdalene. In the New Testament alone, there are fifty-four references to a “Mary”.

The historical evidence that would suggest that these two women are the same is simply not there. Besides, there is the problem of the place of origin. Bethany is in Judea, while Magdala is in Galilee. One could speculate that perhaps early in her life Mary left her home in Bethany, went to live in Magdala, and after she met Jesus she returned to Bethany. This, however, is not sufficient evidence to make such a claim.

Gnosticism

Attempting to answer some of the previous questions, it will lead us to take a closer look at the Gnostic viewpoint. This belief became quite popular during the fame of the “Da Vinci Code” movie. The Gnostic Gospels are fifty four texts believed to be written between the 2nd and 4th centuries. There was a discovery of the gospel of Mary (Magdalene) in the late nineteenth century near Akhmim, Egypt. What is interesting to this find is that many pages are missing. Only sections of the text appear up until the fourth chapter. There are only portions of chapter’s five to eight. There are so many missing pages to this text it is extremely difficult to claim it meets all criteria to claim as gospel.

Throughout the text it seems Mary is a prominent role in the early Christian movement. Mary seems to understand the Lord better than the others and had visions of Him after the resurrection. It is interesting to see even within the text of this Gnostic gospel, Andrew was concerned and ridden with unbelief that the Lord would appear and speak to a woman over any of the apostle men. Mary had understanding and authority; it says Jesus loved her more than them (male disciples). Other Gnostic gospels calls her His “companion”.

The Gnostic texts are not included in the Bible and not considered inspired. These include the Gospel of May, Philip, Thomas, Judas, and more. There is good reason that these are not considered inspired. There are certain criteria a letter or a book must pass to be considered "holy". These certain books was never directly linked to the writings of the apostles. They are heretical in their teaching and contrary to Scripture. These documents were not continuously or universally used by the church.

Conclusion

What is so special about Mary Magdalene? Was she trusted more than the others? Was her dedication towards the Lord upheld higher? The fact is that she was there, through it all. The Scripture suggests that since her healing, Mary stuck with the Lord and His disciples to the end. In fact, she was there when they weren’t. Women always seem more caring than men. They have that loving motherly instinct.

There is no doubt that she cared and loved the Lord with all of her heart, soul, and mind. So whether you call it women’s intuition or just a great love for the Lord; her dedication was long lasting. Her legacy, yet tarnished, will forever be one of great mystery and passion.

• Mary is presented as an independent woman.

• Not known by a husband or his last name.

• She is known by her strength, power, and uniqueness.

• Mary was at the Foot of the Cross and at the Tomb.

• Mary was the First to see the Risen Savior.

• Mary was the First to Proclaim the Resurrection.