Women in Early Christianity
Mary Magdalene
In early Christianity, women were not mentioned too often, as we know. However, I feel that we should at least talk about the most important woman in Christian history, Mary Magdalene. There are so many stories about her but only as this prostitute as well as a sinner. Mary Magdalene is a very important historical figure in Christianity and by looking at the writings in the new testament, how images portray her, and the resurrection, it shows and proves that the interpretations are in fact not true.
When people are given a title they are named after the city in which they are from. So Mary Magdalene is from the town of Magdala. It was one of the big cities and was a center of trade for agricultural products, fish, and material. It is also said that Mary Magdalene met Jesus here, and from here is when she then began to follow him (Reames)
When looking at the New testament, there are scriptures that show Mary Magdalene in major moments of Jesus’s life, the crucifixion and resurrection in particular. “And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus beheld where he was laid” (Mark 15:47). She knew exactly where his body is laid and that’s why she is mentioned in the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. “And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had brought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him” (Mark 16:1). Early Sunday morning, Magdalene and the other women went to the tomb only to find it empty. Shortly after the man in the long white robe approached them and advised them to go and tell the other disciples that Jesus had risen. After the Sabbath when Mary returned to the tomb, this time Jesus instructs her to do the same and go and tell the disciples, which is found in Luke 24. If she was such a sinner why does she appear in the most important part of Christian belief, the resurrection of Jesus Christ? (Colwell)
I believe that because she is not mentioned too often in the Bible or elsewhere, that’s why they thought it was okay to toy with her identity. Many categorize her with Mary of Bethany as well as the sinful woman in Luke 7, all the same woman which is not true either. Mary Magdalene became the “sinner” in many plays, books, movies, and paintings and the view of her as this sinner went on throughout history. Throughout research I did find that if Mary Magdalene name is not mentioned on the spot, nine times out of ten, it is probably not about her. Was she even a sinner?
In Luke 8:2 she first is seen as one of many women who is cured of seven demons by Jesus. Some say these were seven sins, some say they were devils, and others thought otherwise. But no one has really figured the mystery out, so demons it was. For the most part, people today seem to go along with the idea of seven demons, which doesn’t prove she was a sinful woman, but just cured from a severe illness. Since it is said that when you are ill you possessed with evil spirits or demons. These facts showed no kind of relation or support of Mary Magdalene being a sinner (Galli).
When looking at the Sinful Woman in Luke 7:36-50, a very valid point is made. “One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, if this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said to him, Simon, I have something to say to you. And he answered, Say it, Teacher.
A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more? Simon answered, the one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt. And he said to him, you have judged rightly. Then turning towards the woman he said to Simon, do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little. And he said to her, your sins are forgiven. Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, who is this, who even forgives sins? And he said to the woman, your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
I feel that this verse here makes a valid point it proves that no matter how you have fallen or sinned, anyone can be forgiven. No sin is greater than the other is what I was always taught in the church. Faith and belief is the key. So despite what men thought of Mary Magdalene, for whatever reason she might have been possessed with demons, she was still forgiven and that’s what Christianity is all about.
Throughout history, Mary Magdalene is seen as this prostitute and sinner in many works of art. From paintings as well as John 20:17 where he says “Do not touch me”. Here, people think he says this out of disgust which compliments the prostitute image but that’s not what is going on here. It is much clearer when Jesus says “do not cling to me”. He is just simply telling her to do not worry about him or lust after his physical disappearance but be the best you can be and continue to strive on. Painters have painted her crying, kneeling down, as reaching out for Jesus. But no she’s not this weak person as they portray her. (Reames). She was the chosen one to witness the resurrection, one to notify the apostles, so where are the images and or paintings of her in strength? There has to be some positive images somewhere. Many scholars also believed that the false images of her began after the resurrection of Jesus. Of course men didn’t want women to gain power in the church, so they believed that the accusations and manipulations were done on purpose. Some scholars argue that she is not important at all because she is not present in any biblical scenes involving the male disciples. But as stated before being a witness alone, proves a stronger role for women in the church.
The fact that Mary Magdalene was the first to spread the good news shows proof that women are important. Unlike the men who fled, betrayed Jesus, and lost faith, Mary Magdalene along with the other women stayed. She signifies the truth of the resurrection, for she is the only one to testify to it. According to the Gospel, Andrew and Peter were very disturbed by the entrusting of the message with Mary, from Jesus. They felt it was a beginning of something they did not want to happen, which was women playing roles in the church, or ever being more important than men. However, there is some who do not look down upon her.
Levi, one of the disciples, actually defended the idea that yes the Savior had chosen Mary to deliver the vital message. Levi says to Peter “Peter, thy angry temper is ever with thee and now you question the woman as though you were her adversary. If the Savior deemed her worthy, who are you to despise her? For He, who knew her well, truly loved her. So let us be ashamed, and, acting like proper men, let us do what has been commanded to preach the gospel without making rules or laying down laws other than the Savior gave.” And when he left, Levi went out and preached according to the Gospel of Mary (Reames).
After observing the evidence of the new testament, we see that she was very faithful to Jesus even after his death. She supported him and followed his commands. Nowhere in the Bible at all does it say that’s she was a prostitute nor sinner but a constant figure in his life standing near him as he dies, and visiting the grave after his death. Fear of the Jewish persecution never crossed her mind. Mary Magdalene is a true saint who deserves her title as the apostle of the apostles. And until this day, she remains an influential and inspiring figure in Christian faith.
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Leviticus 7:36-50
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