The Second Exploration Journey The First Century Jewish Women and their Culture and The Five Gospels
NRSV - The First Letter of Apostle Paul to the Church in Corinth 15: 1-4
Now I [Paul] would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you—unless you have come to believe in vain.
For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures. Amen.1
1 NRSV The New Oxford Annotated Bible, (New York, Oxford University Press, 2010) Page 2019 1 The Second Exploration Journey , The Five Gospels
The First Century Jewish Women and their Culture
Jewish women and Gentile women in the First Century were dominated by their father, brother and or husband. They were expected to be silent, stay at home and unable to enter into public sphere. In the synagogue they were separated to the back of the room. Domestic duties to the husband and raising children were their sole task and focus.
It is true that Jewish men and the local rabbi did not place a high premium on the independent thought and judgment of women. A quote from a famous rabbi Yose ben Yochanan of Jerusalem: " He spoke of a man's wife in this regard, So long as a man talks too much with a woman, he (1) bring trouble on himself, (2) wastes time better spent studying the Torah and (3) ends up heir of Gehenna ( a place for the wicked when they die ).2
Class distinctions were also very radically different. Women born to rich families had much more freedom of movement, learning, activities than women born into the farming or merchant communities.
In some communities, away from Jerusalem, women of all classes had much more freedom. In a Jewish synagogue in Aprodisias, in Asia Minor, a stone slab listed many women as leaders and major contributors. 3
Women gravitated to those synagogues or local leaders that gave them more freedom to express their feelings, treated as equals, and given the freedom to work within the local community.
Mary Magdalene must of been part of a group of women of means as they supported (fed, clothed) all the group that followed the Rabbi throughout Israel.4
Jesus ministry freed women to be treated as equals. There were many women who followed Jesus disciples as they traveled by foot throughout Israel. We have the names of only a few, perhaps the largest financial and moral contributors, but we are not sure if there were others. Joanna, Susanna, Salome, a Mary and Mary Magdalene.
2 Bart D. Ehrman Peter, Paul and Mary Magdalene (New York, Oxford Press,2006) Page196 3 Bart D. Ehrman Peter, Paul and Mary Magdalene (New York, Oxford Press,2006) Page196 4 Bart D. Ehrman Peter, Paul and Mary Magdalene (New York, Oxford Press,2006) Page198 2 The Second Exploration Journey , The Five Gospels
Introduction to the Scriptural references of Mary Magdalene
There are a total of only thirteen references to Mary Magdalene in the New Testament, reflecting her healing , her support of Jesus ministry, the crucifixion, death and resurrection. The Gospel According to Mark
Author: John Mark
Audience: Mostly Gentile Christians, probably the church in Rome
Date Written: Between the mid 50's and late 60's Anno Domini
Background: Mark is exactly half the length of Matthew and Luke and this was due to the length of the scroll! Matthew and Luke rely heavily on Mark and then focus on their own perspective.
Theme: To encourage his readers to persevere through suffering and persecution. Jesus is the Servant-Messiah and Son of God who died as the ransom for sinners. 5
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The Exorcism of the Demons from Mary Magdalene- No mention of this event.
Jesus Ministry - No mention of this event.
Women at the Crucifixion - 15: 40-41
There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. These used to follow him and provided for him when he was in Galilee; and there were many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem. Amen.6
5 NIV Cultural Study Bible,(Grand Rapids, Zondervan Press,2016) Page 1681 6 NRSV The New Oxford Annotated Bible, (New York, Oxford University Press, 2010) Page 1822 3 The Second Exploration Journey , The Five Gospels
The Burial - 15:45-47
When he (Pontius Pilot) learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid. Amen.7
The Resurrection - 16:1-9
When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Amen. (This ends the original Gospel of Mark.)8
7 NRSV The New Oxford Annotated Bible, (New York, Oxford University Press, 2010) Page 1822 8 NRSV The New Oxford Annotated Bible, (New York, Oxford University Press, 2010) Page 1823 4 The Second Exploration Journey , The Five Gospels
The Gospel According to Matthew
Author: Matthew, also called Levi
Audience: Greek speaking Jewish Christians
Date Written: Perhaps in the 70's Anno Domini
Background: The Church Fathers favored this gospel for its completeness and this is why this is the first Gospel in the New Testament, rather than Mark.
Theme: Matthew presents his Gospel in a hierarchical thought outline moving towards resembling that of the emerging rabbinic (Jewish sages and law-teachers) movement. Jesus as the Jewish Messiah sent by God to fulfill the Old Testament prophecies. 9
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The Exorcism of the Demons from Mary Magdalene- No mention of this event.
Jesus Ministry - No mention of this event.
Women at the Crucifixion - 27:55-56
Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had provided for him. Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. Amen.10
The Burial - 27:57-61
When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb. Amen. 11
9 NIV Cultural Study Bible,(Grand Rapids, Zondervan Press,2016) Page 1604 10 NRSV The New Oxford Annotated Bible, (New York, Oxford University Press, 2010) Page 1789 11 NRSV The New Oxford Annotated Bible, (New York, Oxford University Press, 2010) Page 1789 5 The Second Exploration Journey , The Five Gospels
The Resurrection - 28:1-10
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” Amen.12
12 NRSV The New Oxford Annotated Bible, (New York, Oxford Press,2010) Page 1790 6 The Second Exploration Journey , The Five Gospels
The Gospel According to Luke
Author: Luke a Physician and companion of Paul on several of his missionary journeys
Audience: All believers
Date Written: Between the 60's and 80's Anno Domini
Background: This is an ancient historiography that spans both Luke and The Acts of the Apostles. His two books were well researched as we would expect from a physician.
Theme: Luke presents Jesus as the Messiah and Lord whose life, death and resurrection make salvation available to all people everywhere.13
Demon Possession - Since demon possession was at that time associated with both physical and moral-spiritual sickness, Luke's reference emphasizes the seriousness of her condition or the recurrent nature of this condition.14
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The Exorcism of the Demons from Mary Magdalene 8: 1-3
Jesus Ministry -8: 1-3.
Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources. Amen. 15
Women at the Crucifixion - 23:49
But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. Amen.16 (See above for list of women.)
13 NIV Cultural Study Bible,(Grand Rapids, Zondervan Press,2016) Page 1736 14 George Butrick The Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible K-L (Tenn, Abingdon 1981), Page 288 15 NRSV The New Oxford Annotated Bible, (New York, Oxford Press,2010) Page 1844 16 NRSV The New Oxford Annotated Bible, (New York, Oxford Press,2010) Page 1875 7 The Second Exploration Journey , The Five Gospels
The Burial -23:50-55
Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. Amen.17
The Resurrection - 24:1-12
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.
Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest.
Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened. Amen.18
17 NRSV The New Oxford Annotated Bible, (New York, Oxford Press,2010) Page 1855 18 NRSV The New Oxford Annotated Bible, (New York, Oxford Press,2010) Page 1876 8 The Second Exploration Journey , The Five Gospels
The Gospel According to John
Author: The Apostle John
Audience: Jewish believers
Date Written: Probably in the 90's Anno Domini
Background: John presents by speeches the symbolism of Faith. As John was part of the Twelve he presents a more personal and wider perspective than the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke).
Theme: Jesus is the Word, the Messiah and the Incarnate Son of God, who came to reveal the Father and bring eternal life to all who believe in Him. 19
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The Exorcism of the Demons from Mary Magdalene- No mention of this event.
Jesus Ministry - No mention of this event.
Women at the Crucifixion- 19:25
Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Amen. 20
The Burial - No mention of this event.
The Resurrection - 20:1-18
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes.
19 NIV Cultural Study Bible,(Grand Rapids, Zondervan Press,2016) Page 1802 20 NRSV The New Oxford Annotated Bible, (New York, Oxford Press,2010) Page 1913 9 The Second Exploration Journey , The Five Gospels
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her. Amen. 21
21 NRSV The New Oxford Annotated Bible, (New York, Oxford Press,2010) Page 1914 10 The Second Exploration Journey , The Five Gospels
The Gospel of Mary (Magdalene)
Introduction
This is the first Gospel found that the main character is a woman. Mary is portrayed as a confidante of Jesus, familiar with Greek philosophy and a leader of the disciples after Jesus leaves them. Christian historian Karen King places this around 90 AD, around the time of Luke's Gospel. Here is a throbbing enthusiasm for become a fully developed God focused human being. Jesus is the Savior because he teaches how to welcome true humanity into their lives. This gospel, despite its incompleteness, is seen as crucial to the understanding of Christianity's beginnings and continues to have meaning for us today.22
Note: Square brackets in the translation indicate that a gap exists in the manuscript where writing once existed; the text within the brackets has been restored by scholars.
Pages 1-6 are missing.
The Savior teaches about Matter, Sin and Good23
2 "… Will m[a]tter then be utterly [destr]oyed or not?" The Savior replied, "Every nature, every modeled form, every creature, exists in and with each other. They will dissolve again into their own proper root. For the nature of matter is dissolved into what belongs to its nature. Anyone with two ears able to hear should listen!"
3 Then Peter said to him, "You have been explaining every topic to us; tell us one other thing. What is the sin of the world?" The Savior replied, "There is no such thing as sin; rather you yourselves are what produces sin when you act in accordance with the nature of adultery, which is called 'sin.' For this reason, the Good came among you, pursuing (the good) which belongs to every nature. It will set it within its root." Then he continued. He said, "This is why you get si[c]k and die: because [you love] what de[c]ei[ve]s [you]. [Anyone who] thinks should consider (these matters)!
22 Hal Taussig A New New Testament,(New York, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt,2013) Page217 23 Hal Taussig A New New Testament,(New York, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt,2013) Page224-226 11 The Second Exploration Journey , The Five Gospels
"[Ma]tter gav[e bi]rth to a passion which has no Image because it derives from what is contrary to nature. A disturbing confusion then occurred in the whole body. That is why I told you, 'Become content at heart, while also remaining discontent and disobedient; indeed become contented and agreeable (only) in the presence of that other Image of nature.' Anyone with two ears capable of hearing should listen!"
The Savior Departs
4 When the Blessed One had said these things, he greeted them all. "Peace be with you!" he said. "Acquire my peace within yourselves! "Be on your guard so that no one deceives you by saying, 'Look over here!' or 'Look over there!' For the child of true Humanity exists within you. Follow it! Those who search for it will find it. "Go then, preac[h] the good news about the Realm. [Do] not lay down any rule beyond what I determined for you, nor promulgate law like the lawgiver, or else you might be dominated by it."After he had said these things, he departed from them.
Mary Comforts the Other Followers
5 But they were distressed and wept greatly. "How are we going to go out to the rest of the world to announce the good news about the Realm of the child of true Humanity?" they said. "If they did not spare him, how will they spare us?"
Then Mary stood up. She greeted them all, addressing her brothers and sisters, "Do not weep and be distressed nor let your hearts be irresolute. For his grace will be with you all and will shelter you. Rather we should praise his greatness, for he has prepared us and made us true Human beings."
When Mary had said these things, she turned their heart [to]ward the Good, and they began to deba[t]e about the wor[d]s of [the Savior].
Mary's Vision of the Savior
6 Peter said to Mary, "Sister, we know that the Savior loved you more than all other women. Tell us the words of the Savior that you remember, the things which you know that we don't because we haven't heard them."
Mary responded, "I will teach you about what is hidden from you." And she began to speak these words to them.
7 She said, "I saw the Lord in a vision and I said to him, 'Lord, I saw you today in a vision.' He answered me, 'How wonderful you are for not wavering at seeing me! For where the heart is, there is the treasure.'
12 The Second Exploration Journey , The Five Gospels
I said to him, 'So now, Lord, does a person who sees a vision see it
(Pages 11-14 are missing.)
" '… it.' The Ascent of the Soul
9 "And Desire said, 'I did not see you go down, yet now I see you go up. So why do you lie since you belong to me?' "The soul answered, 'I saw you. You did not see me nor did you know me. You (mis)took the garment (I wore) for my (true) self. And you did not recognize me.' "After it had said these things, it left rejoicing greatly."Again, it came to the third Power, which is called 'Ignorance.' [It] examined the soul closely, saying, 'Where are you going? You are bound by wickedness. Indeed you are bound! Do not judge!'And the soul said, 'Why do you judge me, since I have not passed judgment? I have been bound, but I have not bound (anything). They did not recognize me, but I have recognized that the universe is to be dissolved, both the things of earth and those of heaven.'
"When the soul had brought the third Power to naught, it went upward and saw the fourth Power. It had seven forms. The first form is darkness; the second is desire; the third is ignorance; the fourth is zeal for death; the fifth is the realm of the flesh; the sixth is the foolish wisdom of the flesh; the seventh is the wisdom of the wrathful person. These are the seven Powers of Wrath. They interrogated the soul, 'Where are you coming from, human- killer, and where are you going, space-conqueror?'
"The soul replied, saying, 'What binds me has been slain, and what surrounds me has been destroyed, and my desire has been brought to an end, and ignorance has died. In a [wor]ld, I was set loose from a world [an]d in a type, from a type which is above, and (from) the chain of forgetfulness which exists in time. From this hour on, for the time of the due season of the eon, I will receive rest i[n] silence.' " After Mary had said these things, she was silent, since it was up to this point that the Savior had spoken to her.
The Followers Argue About Mary's Teaching
10 Andrew responded, addressing the brothers and sisters, "Say what you will about the things she has said, but I do not believe that the S[a]vior said these things, f[or] indeed the teachings are strange ideas."
Peter responded, bringing up similar concerns. He questioned them about the Savior: "Did he, then, speak with a woman in private without our knowing about it? Are we to turn around and listen to her? Did he choose her over us?"
13 The Second Exploration Journey , The Five Gospels
Then [M]ary wept and said to Peter, "My brother Peter, what are you imagining? Do you think that I have thought up these things by myself in my heart or that I am telling lies about the Savior?" Levi answered, speaking to Peter, "Peter, you have always been a wrathful person. Now I see you contending against the woman like the Adversaries. For if the Savior made her worthy, who are you then for your part to reject her? Assuredly the Savior's knowledge of her is completely reliable. That is why he loved her more than us. "Rather we should be ashamed. We should clothe ourselves with the perfect Human, acquire it for ourselves as he commanded us, and announce the good news, not laying down any other rule or law that differs from what the Savior said."
After [he had said these] things, they started going out [to] teach and to preach. Amen.
Question for your consideration:
Is Mary Magdalene the mother of Christianity?
14 The Second Exploration Journey , The Five Gospels