Secret Lives Of Jesus: Expert discusses Mary Magdalene
A collection of early Christian texts, the Gnostic Gospels were uncovered near the town of Nag Hammadi, North Egypt, in 1945. The stories were not included in the New Testament, a point which many scholars argue suggests they in fact supplement the Bible, helping to “fill in the gaps” of many unexplainable events. Around 52 gospel texts were found in a sealed jar, collected in 13 leather-bound papyruses, dubbed the ‘Nag Hammadi library’.
While New Testament Gospels tell stories of the historical Jesus, the Gnostic Gospels look to explain the significance of Christ.
The time between his childhood and reaching 30 years of age are finally filled.
In this period, Jesus’ relationship with his most devoted disciple, Mary Magdalene, is explored, a bond subject to much speculation and controversy through the ages.
According to the canonical Gospels, Jesus cleansed Mary of her seven demons, and she financially aided him in Galilee; she was one of the witnesses of the Crucifixion, and the first person to see him following the Resurrection.
Jesus Christ: According to the Gnostic Gospels Christ and Mary Magdalene were ‘intimate’ (Image: GETTY)
Gnostic Gospels: The stories were found in North Egypt in 1945 and ‘filled in the blanks’ (Image: GETTY)
Thus, she is an integral part of Jesus’ life and is mentioned 18 times in the Bible.
However, according to two of the alternative gospels in the Nag Hammadi library, the Gospel of Mary, found in the late 19th century in a monk’s tomb, and the Gospel of Philip, which is part of the lost gospel library, “may hint at a surprisingly intimate relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene“, according to National Geographic’s ‘Secret Lives Of Jesus’.
Talking through the bombshell non-canonical stories, Marvin Meyer, Professor of Bible and Christian Studies at Chapman University, said: “Now with some new texts such as the Gospel of Mary, and the Gospel of Philip, we have a clearer idea that this figure may have been a much more significant disciple of Jesus than many people ever imagined, and may have been very close to Jesus – really, one of his closest disciples, perhaps even his beloved disciple.
“According to the Gospel of Mary, it is Mary Magdalene who knows the mind of Jesus more than the other disciples.
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Mary Magdalene: Mary was one of Jesus’ closest and most loyal disciples (Image: GETTY)
“It is Mary who knows the secrets of Jesus.
“And the other disciples come to Mary and say, ‘Listen, tell us what Jesus was about, the things that you know that we don’t.'”
The Gospel of Mary states: “Peter said to Mary, ‘Sister, we know that the Saviour loved you more than the rest of women. Tell us the words of the Saviour which you remember. Which you know, but we do not, nor have we heard them.’
“Mary answered, and said,’ What is hidden from you, I will proclaim to you.'”
The Gospel of Mary and Philip, therefore, suggests that Mary Magdalene was Jesus’ closest confidante.
Yet despite this, most scholars remain unconvinced.
Craig Evans, Professor of New Testament at Acadia Divinity College attempted to downplay the significance of the ancient texts.
He explained: “It’s become popular lately to talk about Mary Magdalene as though she were Jesus’ lover, maybe even wife – maybe even the mother of his child.
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Gospel stories: Mary is said to have been the only follower who truly understood Jesus’ teachings (Image: GETTY)
Christianity: Much of the text’s vital details of Jesus and Mary’s relationship are illegible (Image: GETTY)
“But they rest on no legitimate, credible, historical information.”
The Gnostics who wrote the gospels clearly believed that Jesus and Mary Magdalene shared a relationship that went further than that with the other disciples.
According to them, when or if Jesus kissed her, he shared with her “the secrets of Heaven”.
Yet, one problem in deciphering the meaning of these Gospels is their physical condition.
In the case of the Gospel of Philip, the papyrus is falling apart and is littered with holes, making some parts of the script illegible.
This includes a key missing word in the centre of the passage concerning Christ’s alleged kiss with Mary Magdalene.
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Of this, Prof Evans said: “Some suggest it says kissed on the mouth, others say on the cheek, still more say the forehead, ear, and of her nose – we don’t know what the word was originally.
“Much has been made of the kiss, that has been used as the basis for describing the proposed intimacy, physical intimacy between Jesus and Mary Magdalene.
“Whether or not they were intimate with each other in a physical way is not entirely clear.”
With little evidence other than the incomplete Gnostic text, proving such a relationship existed at all is, as the documentary described, is “a tall order”.
Jesus Christ story: The truth is that Jesus’ and Mary’s relationship will likely never be known (Image: GETTY)
Modern scholars think the texts were buried as a result of fierce opposition to non-canonical scripture at the time, especially that which came from Saint Athanasius in 367 AD, who condemned the use of alternative writings in his Festal Letter.
The texts have, however, significantly influenced modern scholarship’s pursuit of knowledge of early Christianity and Gnosticism.
Even scholars vehemently opposed to religion, like the biologist Richard Dawkins, have noted their “significance”.
Prof Dawkins has given particular weight to the story of Judas Iscariot, as the Gnostic Gospels portray Judas not as the arch-villain of the Jesus story, but as the person who fulfilled Jesus’ wish to ask the authorities for crucifixion in exchange for money.
The Gospels are still widely debated over today and are held at the Coptic Museum in Cairo, Egypt – home to the largest collection of Egyptian Christian artefacts in the world.
