This week we consider one of the most important early disciples of Jesus, Mary Magdalene. Here we’ll explore what we know about Mary, some of the myths that have been perpetrated about her over the centuries, and her importance to modern Christians.
What we know.
Mary first appears in the narrative about Jesus in Luke 8:2-3. “With him (Jesus) went … a certain woman … who had been cured of evil spirits and ailments … surnamed the Magdalene … and many others who provided for them out of their own resources.”
The last mention of her is John 20:18. Here after she’s gone to the empty tomb and encountered the risen Christ, she,”… told the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’…”
In between, she is mentioned another twelve times. Whenever she is mentioned in the Synoptics (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) her name is always listed first among other women who may also be mentioned. Hence the supposition that she occupied an especially important place in the hierarchy of those surrounding Jesus.
Her surname, Magdalene, is used to differentiate her from other females who were in Jesus’ troupe and to tell us where she is from. The town of Magdala is on the Western side of the Sea of Galilee and is reported to have had a rather unsavory reputation.
That she was a woman of financial means is inferred from the statement that she helped support Jesus’ ministry “from their own resources.”
We also know that she demonstrated courage and extreme dedication during Jesus’ trial, crucifixion, and burial.
While none of the Apostles attended Jesus throughout His trial, His walk to Golgotha, His crucifixion, or His burial, Mary was there the whole time. She (and possibly several other women including Jesus’ mother Mary) stayed and observed the whole gruesome charade. Mary didn’t abandon Him, nor did she attempt to hide her adoration. And she stayed as close as she was able and offered continuing support by her presence.
Finally, we know that she was one of the first persons to visit Jesus tomb after the resurrection. While most of the Apostles stayed away out of fear, Mary rose early on Easter morning and rushed to His tomb. [John 20:11-18]
What we may know.
Other than a rather cryptic reference to her as a woman from whom, “…seven demons had gone out…”, [Luke 8:2] the Scriptures say nothing about Mary before she became a disciple of Christ, or after her participation in the resurrection event. There are some interesting conjectures concerning her, however.
One is that after Jesus’ Assention, she spent some time in Jerusalem before moving to Ephesus (in Turkey) with the Apostle John and Jesus’ mother Mary. There is an ancient house there which is reputed to be the one she lived in until her death.
Another story (far less probable) is that she eventually sailed to southern France (again with Mary the mother of Jesus) to live out her days.
Two noncanonical gospels claiming to present post-resurrection information on Mary Magdalene are The Gospel of Mary and The Gospel of Thomas. In each of these she is presented as coming into conflict with the Apostles concerning teachings she supposedly received from Jesus before His ascension.
The Apostles react to her revelation of this information with jealousy and anger over Jesus’ apparent preferential treatment of her. The dates for the purported gospels are in doubt, but are assumed by some scholars to have been written between the late first century and the early second century AD. Neither is considered an authentic utterance by the named authors.
The Major Controversy.
The most salacious and widely spread myth concerning Mary Magdalene revolves around claims about her made by Pope Gregory I around 591 AD. In his remarks and writings, the Pope concludes that Mary Magdala was the same person as Mary of Bethany (the woman who poured expensive ointment on Jesus’ feet) [John 11:1-12], and as the “sinful woman” who anoints Jesus’ feet in Luke 7:36-50.
Confusion around the number of Marys included in the Scriptures existed from the time they’d first been written. Apparently, the name Mary was a common one at the time, and it was inevitable that more than one of Jesus’ female followers would have carried this name. We know of at least five other Marys mentioned in the Scriptures, and differentiation between them is not always clear.
Also, a number of other unnamed women are mentioned, and it is probable that some of them were named Mary too.
For whatever the reason, the idea that Mary Magdalene could possibly have been the “sinful woman” mentioned in Luke grew over the ensuing centuries. And “sinful woman” had slowly become synonymous with “prostitute.” So, when Pope Gregory stated this idea as a fact, Mary Magdalene’s reputation as a prostitute was set.
Although there is nothing in Scripture to link her to this profession, the idea of Mary as a “fallen woman” has persisted in tradition and literature ever since. Recent portrayals in Jesus Christ Superstar and The Last Temptation of Christ (among others) have continued to feed this inaccuracy.
Why might this have been so?
Many scholars have concluded that the roots of Mary’s defamation lie in the patriarchal society into which she was born (which continues today in much of the world). Although Jesus never demeaned women in any way, and apparently held them in high esteem (refer to the story of Martha and Mary [Luke 10:38-42]), Jewish society was definitely ‘stacked’ against women.
Women were held to be of far less value than men. They were considered less intelligent, easily manipulated, and subject to the whims of their physiology. They held little ‘value’ in society other than for their ability to procreate. It was a “man’s world”, and the idea that women could be equal to men was an alien concept. That they could understand and effectively communicate ideas and nuances of religious thought was anathema to most men (and some women).
Some of the Apostle Paul’s writings indicate that even he subscribed to the time’s attitudes toward women and their “correct” place in society.
An intelligent, insightful, and powerful woman would have been perceived as a threat to the men of the time, and for that matter to the men of the church for centuries thereafter. In this light, Gregory’s attempt to belittle Mary’s place as a true disciple (possibly even an Apostle) of Christ makes sense.
Modern thought has moved steadily away from such male-centric attitudes, but they persist today throughout societies across the globe. Few today would support the idea that women have achieved full equality with men. But hopefully, we can at least put this one enduring myth to rest. Mary Magdalene was not a prostitute.
Mary’s Legacy.
Modern day Christians should see Mary Magdalene for what she truly was; a courageous and ardent follower of Christ who played a significant role in His ministry and who remained faithful to Him throughout His Passion, His Crucifixion, and His resurrection.
Mary doesn’t appear to have occupied a place of prominence in the new church as Peter and Paul did. She was not quoted as extensively as James or John. And although she may have continued to be an important person in the new church, she was never to be “out front” or as famous as others were.
Rather it was her ministry to give courageous, dutiful, consistent, sacrificial love to Jesus and to His message. And for her faith, her love, and her service she was accorded the greatest honor given to anyone other than Jesus’ mother Mary. It was to her that Christ first appeared after His resurrection. Because Jesus knew her and recognized her devotion, she was the first person given the task of carrying the Good News into the world … that Christ had arisen! She did so and as they say, “the rest is history.”
Like many of us today who proclaim His Good News, she also was met with initial scorn and skepticism. The huddled Apostles refused to believe what she was saying. But the truth of her message was borne out when Jesus Himself visited them. When confronted by the risen Savior, they could no longer doubt her story and had to recognize that Mary had been chosen as the first to whom He would make His risen presence known.
Mary of Magdala was canonized as a saint by the Catholic church early in its history. We don’t have a specific date for her recognition, but we know that it was during what the Catholic church defines as the “pre-congregation” period prior to 1634 AD. In 1634 AD the church codified the process by which someone could be recognized as a saint. Mary was already widely regarded as a saint by that time, and so she remains today. According to the Catholic church, the feast day to honor her is July 22.
Mary’s guidance for Christians today.
I believe that we today are given the same charge to carry the same message as Mary was. “Christ is alive, come see!” For many, the claim is still as outrageous today as it was over 2,000 years ago. And just as then, there are those who refuse to believe.
For those who do believe, Mary Magdalene will always hold a special place. Her example of faithful service and devotion is one to which we can only aspire. For those who hold true to the course though, their reward will be just as glorious as hers. We too can meet the risen Savior! We too can help others see and believe in Him. And in the final analysis, that’s really all that Christ asks us to do, “…go and find my brothers, and tell them…” [John 20:18]
God’s Blessings on You All.
Richard
April 5, 2019
