S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Mary Magdalene was a woman from whom Jesus cast out seven demons (Luke 8:2). The name Magdalene likely indicates that she came from Magdala, a city on the southwest coast of the Sea of Galilee. Aft...

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July 01 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

John Matthews Supporter Retired Professional Singer, Conductor and Seeker

In addition to the GotQuestions.org's (Mr. Houdmann) explanation of the biblical Mary Magdalene, there are coptic and gnostic references to Mary which elaborate her significance in the early church.

Mary was portrayed as "the Apostle to the Apostles." Besides Mary, the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene is mentioned more than any other woman in scripture. She wasn't a prostitute as some portray her, but she probably funded many of the apostles' trips and provided money for food, etc. 

In her post resurrection travels, she brought many people to Jesus Christ which possibly angered some of the other apostles. The concept of a woman being able to do anything significant in evangelizing people is still foreign to many people even to this day. I find it remarkable that there are so many references in these gnostic and coptic writings which include Mary Magdalene. She must have been a force to be reckoned with concerning her love and faith in Jesus Christ. 

Again, these gnostic and coptic reports portray her as a constant companion to Jesus but not in a sexual way. All of that nonsense came to pass centuries later. I really think that she was considered an Apostle before and certainly after Jesus' resurrection.

Modern portrayals of Mary Magdalene are mostly pure fiction and should be regarded as nothing but entertainment. Certainly not factual.

August 14 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report