MORE THOUGHTS ON THE DA VINCI CODE

One of the ideas taught in Dan Brown’s novel, The Da Vinci Code, is that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene. There is, however, not one scintilla of support from the Scripture for this wild notion. Those who are followers of God’s word will be satisfied with what the Bible says, as well as what it does not say. Peter wrote, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11.)

What the Bible does say about her is profitable for study. The word “Magdalene” has reference to her home, not her character. A Magdalene was one from the town of Magdala, located on the western side of the Sea of Galilee (Matt. 15:39). Luke records, “ And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.” (Luke 8:1-3.)

The fact that Mary had at one time seven demons possessing her does not mean that she was a woman of ill-repute. McGarvey says:

The supposition that she is identical with “the woman that was a sinner,” spoken of in Luke 7:37,38, is without a shadow of foundation. In reality, all of the indications of her character and position which are furnished by the Scriptures point to a woman in easy circumstances, with a benevolent disposition, tender sensibilities, and commanding influence. Her name stands first among the female attendants of Jesus at almost every mention of it, and on her he conferred the peculiar honor of making her the first human witness of his resurrection from the dead. It is a shame on the Christian world, that a woman of virtue so pre-eminent has come to be commonly regarded as a reformed harlot; and that her cognomen [“Magdalene,” i.e., her surname or distinguishing nickname or epithet] which served only to distinguish her from other Marys by indicating her birthplace, has become, in the contracted form of Magdalen, the name of societies and institutions for the reformation of abandoned women. This is an illustration, however, of the corrupting and degrading tendency of human tradition when it dares to tamper with the sacred narratives. It is Rome that has given Mary the false and low repute in which she is erroneously held.

--Commentary on Matthew and Mark, pp. 369-370.

Observe that Mary Magdalene and other women, “ministered unto him of their substance.” (Luke 8:3). Jesus had nowhere to lay his head (Matt. 8:20). He also had his twelve disciples traveling with him. He had no means of providing for himself or for those with him; so, these women shared their possessions with him. They helped to supply him with the necessities of life. Though Jesus has returned to heaven and is sitting at the right hand of God (Mark 16:19; Heb. 1:1-3), there are those today who minister to Jesus of their substance by sharing with the needy. Jesus said “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of one of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matt. 25:40). To support those who preach the gospel (for this was what Jesus was doing) is to minister unto Jesus. To help the needy, including the fatherless, is to minister unto Jesus.

These women were compelled to assist Jesus in his work because of what he had done for them. Note: “And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities…ministered unto him of their substance.” They owed a debt that they could not repay. They showed their love and gratitude to Jesus for what he had done for them by assisting him in his labors. As children of God our sins have been washed away by the blood of Jesus in baptism (Rms. 6:3-4; Acts 22:16). Therefore we, too, owe a debt that cannot be repaid, but we must strive to repay it (Rom. 1:14-16). As we continue to walk in the light our sins continue to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus and we continue to remain debtors to Jesus Christ (I John 1:7). Therefore, like Mary Magdalene and the other women, we are debtors.

If according to the false notion that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene, it seems rather odd that he would have said nothing to John about caring for his wife (if she were his wife) as he did concerning his mother. Would he not have placed Mary Magdalene in John’s care as well if she had been his wife? Read John 19:25-27.

Also, Mary Magdalene is mentioned, with other women, as having been a long-distance observer of the Lord’s crucifixion (Matt. 27:55-56). They watched the cruel treatment he had received. They then watched to see where he would be buried. They were last at the cross and first to the tomb. We see the loyalty that Mary Magdalene and the other women had to Jesus. Oh, how we need loyal subjects of Jesus today! They ministered to him in his life; they honored him in his death; they served him after he left this world. What about you? What about me?

Mary Magdalene was the first to see Jesus after his resurrection. Mark records, “Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.” (Mark 16:9; John 20:11-18) She was the bearer of the good news to the disciples. All Christians have the privileged duty to tell others the good news of Jesus; i.e., that he died for our sins, that he was buried, and that he arose from the dead the first day of the week and is reigning now as King of kings and Lord of lords.

The Gospel of Philip, a late third century text, is used to prove that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene. It, however, is a broken text. It reads “And the companion of the…Mary Magdalene…her more than the disciples…kiss her…on her…” (63:33-36). To conclude from this Gnostic text that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married takes a great deal of imagination and goes beyond what the Bible states (Rev. 22:18-19).

Let us be satisfied with what the Bible says and not go beyond the things that are written.

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BITS OF WISDOM

A house is made of walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams.

Hope is putting faith to work when doubt would be easier.

A man lives—as long as there are those who bear the stamp of his influence.

A misspent youth may result in a tragic old age.

Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your door again and again.

Live beneath your means. If your outgo is more than your income, then your upkeep will be your downfall.