Mainstream Christianity has many views of Mary Magdalene. She is a penitent sinner, a redeemed prostitute, the first witness to the Resurrection, the messenger to the Apostles, and a source of erotic inspiration for artists throughout history. Mary Magdalene is a complex, misunderstood, and marginalized figure in Orthodoxy, a symbol for the plight of females within the Christian religion.
But in Gnosticism her role is clearly defined—Mary Magdalene is not only the main Apostle to the living Christ but a Gnostic leader for the ages.
This declaration is perhaps ironic since Gnostics have a tendency to continually re-interpret and re-evaluate Biblical characters to suit their spiritual explorations. But there’s something about Mary.
One of the most thorough expositions on the Gnostic Mary Magdalene comes from Jane Schaberg’s The Resurrection of Mary Magdalene. Schaberg lists nine characteristics that define the consort of Jesus Christ, as she is known in Gnostic and Apocryphal texts:
1) Mary is prominent
The Magdalene is a main protagonist whenever she appears. In The Dialogue of the Savior, Mary is considered a “sister,” an equal to those entrusted with spreading the light of Gnosis. In The Gospel of Philip, she is one who “always walks with the Lord,” a privilege only enjoyed by Enoch and Noah in the entire Bible. Mary replaces the two Patriarchs of the Old Testament as a favorite of the Divine in the new dispensation. In The Pistis Sophia, Mary is the most outstanding student of Jesus, the chief questionnaire who gives the most insightful answers.
2) Mary thrives in a world of androcentric language and patriarchal rules
A perfect example is found in The Gospel of Thomas, Saying #114:
Simon Peter said to them, “Make Mary leave us, for females don’t deserve life.”
Jesus said, “Look, I will guide her to make her male, so that she too may become a living spirit resembling you males. For every female who makes herself male will enter the kingdom of Heaven.”
This may appear like a misogynistic interaction between Jesus and Simon Peter. Yet the passage is a classic belief that an enlightened individual comprises both male and female aspects. This is evident because the word used for male in Greek is anthropos, which has the context of a complete, fulfilled human being. Mary Magdalene will be given the godly form of Plato’s Hermaphrodite in The Symposium or the image of God in Genesis that man enjoyed before being split into genders.
In The Acts of Philip, Mary outwits her oppressive culture by dressing up as a man in order to teach and baptize the faithful. This scripture places Mary as the actual sister of the Apostle Philip (another favorite hero of the Gnostics); and in the end her courage and faith are stronger than her sibling’s.
3) Mary is bold in her speech
Schaberg writes that Mary has been given a voice that is “powerful, insistent, and courageous (p. 141).” In Gnostic narratives, she is almost always confident in dialogue, speech, or teaching. Mary’s conviction is never in doubt.
In The Pistis Sophia, Jesus tells her, “speak open and do not fear.” For her insights and wisdom, Jesus tells her, “Mary, thou blessed one, who I will complete in all the mysteries.”
In The Dialogue with The Savior, Mary comes out and tells Jesus, “I want to understand all things, just as they are!”
In The Didascalia Apostolorum, Mary laughs during the Last Supper. When she is scolded by the Apostle John, she shoots back:
I did not really laugh, only I remembered the words of our Lord and I exulted; for ye know that he told us before, when he was teaching: the weak shall be saved through the strong.
4) Mary is seen as a leader
Jesus often grants her authority and often Mary takes authority onto herself. In The Sophia of Jesus Christ, the Savior tells all the disciples, including Mary, that “I have given you authority over all things as Sons of Light.”
In The First Apocalypse of James, Mary is one of the four women that serves “as a model for how James is supposed to go about his own mission.” The text further says that Mary has“become strong by a perception that which is in them (the other female disciples).”
In The Pistis Sophia, Jesus says:
But Mary Magdalene and John the virgin will surpass all my disciples and all men who shall receive mysteries in the Ineffable, they will be on my right hand and on my left.
5) Mary is a visionary
She possesses the powers of prophecy and sight into the astral worlds. In The Gospel of Mary, after comforting the Apostles because of the departure of Christ, she tells them, “What is hidden from you I will proclaim to you.”
In The Great Question of Mary, Jesus allows her to see an erotic but very symbolical vision that reveals she is the new, improved Eve. In The Pistis Sophia, Mary both experiences and interprets mystical visions.
6) Mary is praised for her superior understanding
In The Dialogue with The Savior, Mary is described as “the woman who understood completely.”
In several Gnostic accounts like The Pistis Sophia or The Manichaean Psalm Book, she is continuously praised by Jesus for her perception.
In The Acts of Philip, her brother Philip tells her, “I know that you are good and courageous soul and blessed among women.”
7) Mary is identified as the intimate companion of Jesus
The Gospel of Philip declares that Jesus “loved her more than the other disciples.” Although this passage has been used as evidence of a carnal relationship between Jesus and Mary, the Gnostic interpretation would see them as two twin beings that were spiritually actualized. Schaberg explains that Mary “is loved by the Savior because in contrast to the other disciples she is not blind, but sees the light (P. 150).”
The Gospel of Philip also identifies her as the “companion” of The Lord, a title that is not used for any other character in Gnostic works.
In The Gospel of Mary, Peter tells Mary that Jesus “loved you more than the rest of the women.” Schaberg states that, in essence, just as Mary has been proclaimed the restored Eve, Jesus is the restored Adam; and both share in a state of wholeness before the fall (P. 154).
The Manichaean Psalm Book says that Mary “is the spirit of wisdom” and “chosen by the Son.”
8) Mary is opposed by and in open conflict with one or More of the disciples
This is an obvious symbolism between Gnosticism and Orthodoxy, as already revealed by the remarks of Peter in The Gospel of Thomas, saying #114 (quoted above).
In Gnostic narratives, Peter often symbolizes Orthodox Christianity and intolerance in general. In The Acts of Philip, Peter is “the man who fled from all places where there is a woman.” In The Acts of Peter, the first Pope paralyzes his own daughter in order for her to remain a virgin.
The Pistis Sophia has Peter opposing Mary three times. In one passage he says, “We are not able to suffer this woman who takes the opportunity from us.” Peter also adds, “My Lord, let the women cease to question, that we may also question.” Mary later tells Jesus, “I am afraid of Peter, for he threatens me and hates our race (the Gnostics).”
Although Jesus mediates in most of these gospels, The Gospel of Mary contains a scene where Peter and his brother Andrew bully her for being a woman and the preferred of Christ. Schaberg explains that the Apostles dislike her because Mary is “the knower, the one who understands, the one who is sensual and wise, sensitive and emotional (P. 162).”
9) Mary is defended
The Gospel of Philip, The Gospel of Thomas and The Pistis Sophia have Jesus defending Mary Magdalene.
In The Gospel of Mary, the Apostle Levi (representing moderate Christianity) stands up for her honor against Peter and Andrew.
In The Manichaean Psalm Book, Jesus coaches his companion on how to modify her message when she is scorned. In The Epistula Apostorum, Jesus personally goes with Mary after his resurrection to scold Peter, who does not believe the Savior would have risen before a female first.
Beyond all titles and attributes, the Gnostic gospels reveal Mary Magdalene as someone who truly cultivated Gnosis (divine knowledge/self-knowledge/knowledge of all realities). And above all titles and attributes, Mary and Jesus are not only the new Adam and Eve but the lower incarnations of the Cosmic Christ and Holy Sophia. They are joint heroes in the Gnostic epic, as well as the two pieces of the puzzle in finding spiritual liberation despite the fundamentalist forces around them.
Mary Magdalene, in both the Bible and art, is certainly a captivating figure. But this Mary is simply a small fraction of a figure that is truly both a religious and inspirational cosmic force.
There’s certainly something about Mary. And that is the pathway to Gnosis.
A Complete Translation of the Gospel of Mary
Hi Miguel!
Speaking of MM – what’s your opinion on “The Gospel of the Beloved Companion”? Claims to be a translation of a 1st century lost gospel … someone named Jehann de Quillan did the translation. I wonder if she was looking into her hat (lol) or if its legit …
If its legit, may be a good candidate for a show!
Still listening – every day! – and upped my Patreon support recently. To me the shows bear multiple listenings, always hear more and more in them. Truly inspirational! Love the “drivel” too, very poetic, didactic, and creative.
-Vance
This is an obvious late answer! “The Gospel of the Beloved Companion” is an invention. Jehann de Quillan is a composed name and none of the known experts were able to have a look at this document.
What’s in a name but another prison cell for Spirit.
Mary is that part of your Spirit which awakens the Gnosis in your Jesus part of Spirit, which is hung on the cross of the skeleton body. As noted a few times in the blog we are an androgy+nous Spirit which is split into two. Impure and Pure Spirit, the duality of matter and Spirit.
Names again,yawn yawn, Mary is your guardian angel, your twin, your watcher, your follower, your fylgja, your daimon etc. that part of Spirit which has remained unadulterated/pure, separate from matter. To become One, Whole Spirit again, you have to spiritually cleanse, crucify or purify Jesus of the absurdity of matter.
Reverse the names for your own gender ; if you are female then Mary is hung upon your body cross and you receive Gnosis from your Jesus.
Think I’ll write a diary codex and bury it so some future chocolate, fireguard scholar can dig it up and make up all sorts of weird claims. I’ll start here on Miguel’s blog site.
What keeps the Jesus from waking up and escaping by itself ? The serpent soul …. soul is the gaoler for the demiurge which you have to enchant my little pearl.
Excellent post. The Gnostics use Mary as the epitome of inner truth in contrast to institutionalized Christianity simply because her position flies in the face of traditional Christianity. However, the Gnostics have brought out the divine nature within her, often using traditional concepts. Thanks for this!
And The Wind Cries Mary.
Saved as a favorite, I like your blog!
Jesus and Mary were one. In all ways, the balance, a yin and yang of sorts. As marriage is. They two were companions in that manner.
What a powerful picture. Mary having a smoke before Christ dies and the veil in the temple is torn apart signifying the narrow pathway that we now have to escape out of this matter universe after death. Mary signifying the part of us that might want to hang on to matter. We need to stub the cigarette out before that happens.
“And the Word became flesh…” to put the 19th century lies that the Pope was infallible and the blasphemous declaration that the rescored Vulgate and post-reformation mauling of bible must be inerrant. The Word of God? The Holy Spirit, who Jesus constantly spoke of leaving us ALL as our Paraclete (defence attorney) is flatly rejected by the egregiously literal and disturbingly legalistic Protestants more so than the Catholics. The parochial exclusionary guy above appears to be extremely close to blasphemy of the Holy Spirit when “John” above remarks, “The temple is torn apart signifying the narrow pathway that we (now have to escape out of this matter universe after death). [Mary signifying] the part of us that might want to hang on to [matter]. We need to [stub the cigarette out] before that happens.” Hmmm. I suspect “John” above IS THAT PART part of depravity that knows nothing of the divine nature and DNA likeness of men and women as mentioned in Genesis 1:26 with “Let US make humankind in OUR likeness.” The very thing Jesus came to convince the immortal diamond dignity of ALL people as both human and divine inasmuch as the Christ who existed before anything existed. If the Source of Perfect Love, God, hated flesh as only Lucifer actually and with furious jealousy did, why would He or She allow His “Word became flesh?” That’s not even reasonable. Christ isn’t Jesus’s last name and Christ crucified religious exclusion but yet it’s that “part of some of us that might want to hang on to words and the 30,000 denominations that never matter” than ever dare SEE to be born of the Spirit. That would mean “John’s” whole worldview including women would be torn as a veil and the only thing narrow has been “John’s” programmed never changed and perhaps unchangable bucolic mind. Wonder if “John” above objectifies girls and women as a fun for bachelor party’s commodity and a Calvinism self-interest but really and even openly decides “to snub the females out before he loses his self-preservation.” I’d stomp the living hell out of you, John, if you ever spoke your ignorant blasphemous lies to my precious daughter, peeping John prig. Mary, like the one of the two sons asked if they would work in the vineyards said “no” but changed his mind and did go. The other brother (“John”) said “yes” and all the right religious jargon words BUT didn’t go and tell the disciples like Mary did GO after LETTING GO of Jesus in LIGHT of the promised Holy Spirit..ain’t that right “John” above? It (whatever IT never was) is nearing its end when you start recognising (from day to day) how you are not taking words, gibes, and other’s opinions of you or your opinions of you nearly as personally. Anytime we are offended, it is ALWAYS the egoistic false self that has taken umbrage. It would rather be angry and guilty than be transformed. The identify crisis (more accurate than a midlife age-based meltdown) collapses in an almost direct relationship to the egoistic phoney self’s previously external validations as still born by titles, interest inventories, positions, status trinkets, “what was” and “what should have been” deadwood storylines, places, people’s opinions of the mentally contrived nonexistent self-image and woefully undulating mental ideas you (and it’s kind of embarrassing) used to take seriously. The education, trivia that is increasingly becoming laughable and the whole mental illusionary mime that served its fictionally absurd and ludicrous pseudo-personal aberration until this hoodwinked and hilarious caricature you witlessly imagined as “the little me” was merely a walking and talking mannequin caught up in this makeshift land of Oz.
It’s embarrassing as it is humiliating to the egoistic charade and self-illusion of a nonexistent idea you witlessly and tightly wound into a loose cannon creation concocted from the chaos of being a kid, a temperamental teen, a court jester adult. It’s like saying: “Son of a bitch! This pensively unrelenting horror story I’ve both liked but more so loathed is a freaking joke! Hell! Whoever I thought I was isn’t and I was hoodwinked and I’m waking up! A paradox. Because the mind is so afraid of seeing there is nothing wrong, it will think: “Oh God! If there’s nothing wrong then there’s no hope! Because if there’s nothing wrong than there’s no hope for little me to make it right.” It is humiliatingly hurtful and it hurts like the hell it always was but LET it. There’s no going back and the good news is you’ll soon SEE that you don’t want to tread decades of water anymore. The jig is up, there’s no crisis whatsoever because there’s no parroting puppet able to pretend it’s an identity. That sucker is gone. That sucker never was. “Be who you is cause if you ain’t who you is, you is who you ain’t.” It’s easier to fool someone than convince someone they’ve been fooled. Oh my! Defending fear is a sure sign too much salt has begun melting the slug. Now play. No more missing the point. You’re not running out of time but into timelessness. Ain’t that a trip? Until then, enjoy here and Now. But stop making women and girls into the very material only you aren’t willing to see with the eyes of a child. They don’t judge, compare, or compete, John. Whatever your name is, I hope you let your hatred and dualistic mentality go.
“And the Word became flesh…” to put the 19th century lies that the Pope was infallible and the blasphemous declaration that the rescored Vulgate and post-reformation mauling of bible must be inerrant. The Word of God? The Holy Spirit, who Jesus constantly spoke of leaving us ALL as our Paraclete (defence attorney) is flatly rejected by the egregiously literal and disturbingly legalistic Protestants more so than the Catholics. The parochial exclusionary guy above appears to be extremely close to blasphemy of the Holy Spirit when “John” above remarks, “The temple is torn apart signifying the narrow pathway that we (now have to escape out of this matter universe after death). [Mary signifying] the part of us that might want to hang on to [matter]. We need to [stub the cigarette out] before that happens.” Hmmm. I suspect “John” above IS THAT PART part of depravity that knows nothing of the divine nature and DNA likeness of men and women as mentioned in Genesis 1:26 with “Let US make humankind in OUR likeness.” The very thing Jesus came to convince the immortal diamond dignity of ALL people as both human and divine inasmuch as the Christ who existed before anything existed. If the Source of Perfect Love, God, hated flesh as only Lucifer actually and with furious jealousy did, why would He or She allow His “Word became flesh?” That’s not even reasonable. Christ isn’t Jesus’s last name and Christ crucified religious exclusion but yet it’s that “part of some of us that might want to hang on to words and the 30,000 denominations that never matter” than ever dare SEE to be born of the Spirit. That would mean “John’s” whole worldview including women would be torn as a veil and the only thing narrow has been “John’s” programmed never changed and perhaps unchangable bucolic mind. Wonder if “John” above objectifies girls and women as a fun for bachelor party’s commodity and a Calvinism self-interest but really and even openly decides “to snub the females out before he loses his self-preservation.” I’d stomp the living hell out of you, John, of you ever spoke your ignorant blasphemous lies to my precious daughter, you prig. Mary, like the one of the two sons asked if they would work in the vineyards said “no” but changed his mind and did go. The other brother said “yes” and all the right religious jargon words BUT didn’t go and tell the disciples like Mary did GO after LETTING GO of Jesus in LIGHT of the promised Holy Spirit..ain’t that right “John” above?