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MARY MAGDALENE

What does the Bible really tell us about Mary Magdalene?

In actuality, we don't know much about Mary Magdalene. The mystery surrounding her causes some people to generate theories about her significance in history. But those who say they know a great deal about her are simply speculating.

We know from Scripture that Jesus delivered Mary of Magdala from seven demons (Luke 8:1-3). She then became one of His most devoted followers and supporters, traveling with other women wherever His ministry took Him.

She was with Jesus at His crucifixion and death (Matthew 27:55-56; Mark 15:40). She wept at the tomb where Jesus' body lay, and later she came to the tomb to find Jesus Himself in a glorified body (Matthew 27:55-28:11). She had the privilege of telling Jesus' disciples that their Lord had risen! Mary was devoted to Jesus and she demonstrated her faith by supporting Him and ministering to His needs.

So why does The Da Vinci Code claim that Mary Magdalene was Jesus' wife and that she bore His children, continuing His royal bloodline? Dan Brown and others say that the Bible and the Gnostic Gospels undoubtedly point to an intimate, marital relationship between Mary and Jesus. If we look closer, however, there is no indication that Mary and Jesus were married. To believe that Jesus and Mary were intimate is to add to the facts we know, and rewrite history.

John 20:11-18 is a significant text to those who say Jesus and Mary were married, because it's the only time recorded in Scripture that they were alone. It is the text where Mary sees Jesus in His glorified state, after His resurrection. Though it was unthinkable in that day to show physical affection to someone outside of family, Mary was overcome with joy when she saw Jesus and she embraced Him. Some have used this text to prove that she was Jesus' wife, but it's quite a leap to make this assumption. In light of what Jesus had done for her (casting out demons) and witnessing His grotesque beating and murder just days before, it's completely understandable that Mary showed affection to the Savior. Jesus loved Mary and Mary loved Jesus, but not in a way that a husband loves his wife. Mary's love for Jesus was one of gratitude and obedience. Jesus loved Mary as He loves us—with a perfect and sacrificial love; like a Father loves a child. (John 13:34;14:23).

The Gnostic Gospels were not included in the New Testament because they did not meet the strict requirements set by the early church fathers. One of the requirements was that apostles of Jesus or people who knew the apostles wrote the documents.¹ The authors of the Gnostic Gospels are unknown. In addition, there are key passages that have words missing from the text. For example, the Gospel of Philip 63:32-64:10 (written 200 years after Jesus) says, "The companion of the [blank] Mary Magdalene [loved] her more than [all] the disciples [and used to] kiss her [often] on her [blank.]" The "blanks" are there because the manuscript is damaged and can't be read.² But many have read into this passage that Jesus kissed Mary on the lips. However, the blank spaces could just as easily have occupied words such as forehead, cheek, or hand just as easily. This is just one example of how some people "read into" the text to create a picture far beyond what the passage actually tells us.

Mary's love, devotion, and commitment to Jesus are clearly indicated in Scripture—and that's all that matters. There is no reason to believe that Mary was anything more than a follower of Christ. Creating a scenario where Mary is the wife of Jesus reads more into Scripture, and even into the Gnostic Gospels.

1 The Truth Behind the DaVinci Code, Richard Abanes, Harvest House Publishers, 2004, p. 27.
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2 Breaking the DaVinci Code, Darrell L. Bock, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2004, p. 21.
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