Gospel of Mary

Euangelium Mariae (Magdalene)

Standard abbreviation: Gos. Mary

Other titles: none

Clavis numbers: ECCA 323; CANT 30

Category: Revelatory Dialogues

Compiled by Judith Hartenstein, Universität Koblenz-Landau ([email protected])

Citing this resource (using Chicago Manual of Style): Hartenstein, Judith. “The Gospel of Mary.” e-Clavis: Christian Apocrypha. Accessed DAY MONTH YEAR. https://www.nasscal.com/e-clavis-christian-apocrypha/gospel-of-mary/.

Created February 2018.

1. SUMMARY

The Gospel of Mary is the first writing of the Coptic codex BG 8502 from the fourth or fifth century, which also contains the Apocryphon of John and the Wisdom of Jesus Christ (both also known from Nag Hammadi) and the Act of Peter. The text covers pages 7–10 and 15–19,5 starting in the middle of a dialogue between Jesus and his disciples and including the title at the end. Several pages of the codex (pp. 1–6 and 11–14) are missing, therefore the beginning of the Gospel of Mary and four pages of its second part are lost; less than half of the text is preserved. In addition to the Coptic manuscript, there are two Greek fragments (P. Oxy. 3525, P. Ryl. 463) from the third century, which do not enhance the known text.

Despite the missing pages, the Gospel of Mary can be recognized as belonging to the genre of post-resurrection dialogue gospels; the first pages probably narrated an appearance of the risen Jesus and the beginning of his dialogue with the disciples. The preserved text continues this dialogue (pp. 7,1—8,11) ending with final instructions of Jesus (pp. 8,11—9,4). Then Jesus departs and the disciples discuss their own situation (p. 9,5–20). In this discussion, Mary already takes a leading role; she then conveys a vision of Jesus she has had and the words he has spoken to her (pp. 9,20—17,7). These words of Jesus include an account of the ascent of a soul, the beginning of which is lost due to the missing pages (therefore it is unclear whose soul is being discussed). The Gospel of Mary ends with discussions among the disciples: Andrew and Peter challenge the words of Mary while Levi defends her (pp. 17,7—19,2).

Although the Gospel of Mary is a short writing, its structure is complex and the text quite divergent in character. Its main topic is salvation and release from difficult or even hostile surroundings. The dialogue in the first part uses philosophical (probably Stoic) ideas to describe the dissolution of matter, the parting words of Jesus are a pastiche of well-known sayings of Jesus, and the ascent of the soul has parallels in “gnostic” texts (the best is from the Book of Allogenes from Codex Tchacos).

Historical figures and characters: the Savior (Jesus), Mary Magdalene, Levi (apostle), Peter (apostle), Andrew (apostle).

Geographical location: none (in the extant text)

2. RESOURCES

2.1 Use in Popular Culture

Brown, Dan. The Da Vinci Code. New York: Doubleday, 2003 (film adaptation dir. Ron Howard, 2006). Gos. Mary is used in an expository scene as evidence for the marriage of Jesus and Mary Magdalene.

Ferrara, Abel (dir.). Mary (2005). This film within a film incorporates a large portion of Gos. Mary in its portrayal of Mary Magdalene; this time, however, Mary is one of Jesus’ most important disciples, not his wife.

Fredriksson, Marianne. Enligt Maria Magdalena (1997). English trans.: According to Mary Magdalene. Charlottesville, VA: Hampton Roads Publishing Company, 1999. A novel inspired by and makes use of the Gospel of Mary.

McGowan, Kathleen. The Expected One. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2006. The Gospel of Mary does not appear in this novel on Mary Magdalene, although she portrays her as writing a gospel.

X-Files. “Hollywood AD” (2000). This satirical episode features a plot to forge an ancient Gospel of Mary. You can read selections from the script at http://www.redwolf.com.au/xfiles/season07/7abx18.html.

2.2 Documentaries

Ballantyne, Hugh, dir. Finding Jesus: Faith, Fact, Forgery, Episode 6: Mary Magdalene. Atlanta, GA: Cable News Network, 2015.

Burns, Kevin, dir. Bible Secrets Revealed, Episode 4: The Real Jesus. 2013. New York: A & E Home Video, 2014. Segment: ?

Madeja, Geoffrey, dir. Banned from the Bible. The History Channel, Episode 1, 2003. New York: A & E Home Video, 2008. Segment: 67:48–72:40.

2.3 Web Sites and Other Online Resources

Early Christian Writings: Gospel of Mary. Administrator: Peter Kirby (Features several English translations and a brief bibliography).

“Gospel of Mary.” Wikipedia.

“Gospel of Mary.” Gospels.net. Administrator: Mark M. Mattison (features an English translation and links to manuscript images).

“Gospel of Mary.” Tanho Center (a reading of the text set to music and animation).

3. BIBLIOGRAPHY

3.1 Manuscripts and Editions

3.1.1 Coptic

Berlin, Ägyptisches Museum and Papyrussammlung, Staatliche Museen, P. 8502, pp. 7–10, 15–19 (5th cent.)

Wilson, Robert McL. and George W. MacRae. “The Gospel According to Mary.” Pages 453-471 in Nag Hammadi Codices V,2–5 and VI with Papyrus Berolinensis 8502,1 and 4. Edited by Douglas M. Parrott. NHS 11. Leiden: Brill, 1979.

Till, Walter C. und Hans-Martin Schenke, Hg. Die gnostischen Schriften des koptischen Papyrus Berolinensis 8502. 2. erweiterte Auflage. TU 60. Berlin: Akademie-Verlag, 1972.

3.1.2 Greek (CPG 1223)

Manchester, John Rylands Library, Gr. III 463 (3rd cent.)

Roberts, C.H. “463. The Gospel of Mary.” Pages 18–23 in vol. 3 of Catalogue of the Greek and Latin Papyri in the John Rylands Library Manchester. Manchester: University Press, 1938 (editio princeps).

Blumell, Lincoln H. and Thomas A. Wayment, eds. Christian Oxyrhynchus: Texts, Documents, and Sources. Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2015 (edition and introduction to P. Ryl. 463, pp. 232–35).

Oxford, Sackler Library, Papyrology Rooms 23 3B 12/E(1) (P. Oxy. L 3525) (3rd cent.)

Parsons, Peter J. The Oxyrhynchus Papyri. Vol. 50. London: Egypt Exploration Society, 1983 (editio princeps, pp. 12–14).

Editions of multiple manuscripts:

Ehrman, Bart D. and Zlatko Plêse. The Apocryphal Gospels: Texts and Translations. New York: Oxford University Press, 2011 (editions and translations of all three manuscripts, pp. 587–605).

Lührmann, Dieter. “Die griechischen Fragmente des Mariaevangeliums POx 3525 und PRyl 463.” NovT 30 (1988): 321–38.

Lührmann, Dieter and Egbert Schlarb. Fragmente apokryph gewordener Evangelien in griechischer und lateinischer Sprache. Marburg: Elwert, 2000 (pp. 62–71).

Nagel, Peter. Codex apocryphus gnosticus Novi Testamenti, Band 1: Evangelien und Apostelgeschichten aus den Schriften von Nag Hammadi und verwandten Kodizes. Koptisch und deutsch. WUNT 326. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2014.

Pasquier, Anne. L’Évangile selon Marie (BG 1). BCNH Section Textes 10. Québec : Presses de l’Université Laval, 1983.

Tuckett, Christopher. The Gospel of Mary. Oxford Early Christian Gospel Texts. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007.

Wayment, Thomas A. The Text of the New Testament Apocrypha (100-400 CE). London: T&T Clark, 2013 (images and editions of P. Oxy. L 3525 and P. Ryl 463 pp. 43–46, 249–51).

3.2 Modern Translations

3.2.1 English

King, Karen L. “The Gospel of Mary with the Greek Gospel of Mary.” Pages 737–47 in The Nag Hammadi Scriptures. Edited by Marvin W. Meyer. New York: HarperOne, 2007.

King, Karen L. The Gospel of Mary of Magdala: Jesus and the First Woman Apostle. Santa Rosa, CA: Polebridge Press, 2003.

King, Karen L. et al. “The Gospel of Mary.” Pages 523–27 in The Nag Hammadi Library in English. Edited by James M. Robinson. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1981.

King, Karen L. “The Gospel of Mary.” Pages 357–66 in The Complete Gospels: The Scholars Version. Edited by Robert J. Miller. Sonoma, CA: Polebridge Press, 1994.

3.2.2 French

Tardieu, Michel. Écrits gnostiques: Codex de Berlin. Sources Gnostiques et Manichéennes 1. Paris: Cerf, 1984.

Pasquier, Anne. “Évangile selon Marie (BG I).” Pages 1653–70 in Écrits gnostiques: Bibliothèque de Nag Hammadi. Edited by Jean-Pierre Mahé, and Paul-Hubert Poirier. Collection Library of the Pleiades. Paris: Gallimard, 2007.

3.2.3 German

Hartenstein, Judith. “Das Evangelium nach Maria (BG 1).” Pages 833–44 in Nag Hammadi Deutsch 2. Band: NHC V,2-XIII,1, BG 1 und 4. Edited by Hans-Martin Schenke / Hans-Gebhard Bethge / Ursula Ulrike Kaiser. GCS NF 12 (Koptisch-Gnostische Schriften III). Berlin / New York: Walter de Gruyter, 2003.

Hartenstein, Judith. “Das Evangelium nach Maria (BG 1/P.Oxy. L 3525/P.Ryl. III 463).” Pages 1208–216 in Antike christliche Apokryphen in deutscher Übersetzung I/2. Edited by Christoph Markschies and Jens Schröter. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck 2012.

3.3.4 Norwegian

Thomassen, Einar and Halvor Moxnes, eds., Apokryfe evangelier. Verdens Hellige Skrifter. Oslo: De norske bokklubbene, 2001 (pp. 77–86).

3.3 General Works

Boer, Esther de. The Gospel of Mary: Beyond a Gnostic and a Biblical Mary Magdalene. JSNTSup 260. London: Clark, 2004.

Brock, Ann Graham. Mary Magdalene, the First Apostle. The Struggle for Authority. HTS 51. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2003.

Hartenstein, Judith. Die zweite Lehre: Erscheinungen des Auferstandenen als Rahmenerzählungen frühchristlicher Dialoge. TU 146. Berlin: Akademie-Verlag, 2000.

Hartenstein, Judith. “Autoritätskonstellation in apokryphen und kanonischen Evangelien.” Pages 423–44 in Jesus in apokryphen Evangelienüberlieferungen: Beiträge zu außerkanonischen Jesusüberlieferungen aus verschiedenen Sprach- und Kulturtraditionen. Edited by Jörg Frey and Jens Schröter. WUNT 254. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2010.

Hartenstein, Judith / Petersen, Silke. “Gospel of Mary: Mary Magdalene as Beloved Disciple and Representative of Jesus.” Pages 943–56 in Feminist Biblical Interpretation. A Compendium of Critical Commentary on the Books of the Bible and Related Literature. Edited by Luise Schottroff and Marie-Theres Wacker. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2012.

Hartenstein, Judith. “Erscheinungsevangelien (Gespräche mit dem Auferstandenen) im Kontext frühchristlicher Theologie: Anknüpfungspunkte und Besonderheiten der christologischen Vorstellungen.” Pages 305–32 in The Apocryphal Gospels within the Context of Early Christian Theology. Edited by Jens Schröter. BETL 260. Leuven: Peeters, 2013.

Hartenstein, Judith. “Wie ‚apokryph‘ ist das Evangelium nach Maria? Über die Schwierigkeiten einer Verortung.” Pages 117–33 in The Other Side: Apocryphal Perspectives on Ancient Christian “Orthodoxies.” Edited by Tobias Nicklas et al. NTOA/StUNT 117. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2017.

Hartenstein, Judith. “Encratism, asceticism and the construction of gender and sexual identity in apocryphal Gospels.” Pages 389–406 in The Oxford Handbook of Early Christian Apocrypha. Edited by Andrew Gregory and Christopher Tuckett. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015.

King, Karen L. “The Gospel of Mary Magdalene.” Pages 601–34 in Searching the Scriptures Volume Two: A Feminist Commentary. Edited by Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, New York: Crossroad, 1994.

King, Karen L. The Gospel of Mary of Magdala: Jesus and the First Woman Apostle. Santa Rosa, CA: Polebridge Press, 2003.

King, Karen L. “The Rise of the Soul. Justice and Transcendence in the Gospel of Mary.” Pages 234–43 in Walk in the Ways of Wisdom. In Honor of Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza. Edited by Matthews, Shelly/Kittredge, Cynthia Briggs/Johnson-Debaufre, Mela. Harrisburg, PA: Trinity Press International, 2003.

King, Karen L. “Why All the Controversy? Mary in the Gospel of Mary.” Pages 53–74 in Which Mary? The Marys of Early Christian Tradition. Edited by F. Stanley Jones. SBLSymS 19. Atlanta, Ga.: Society of Biblical Literature, 2003.

Landman, Christina. “The Gospel of Mary (Magdalene) and the embodiment of wisdom.” Acta patristica et Byzantina 14 (2003): 176–85.

Marjanen, Antti. The Woman Jesus Loved. Mary Magdalene in the Nag Hammadi Library and Related Documents. NHMS 40. Leiden: Brill, 1996.

Marjanen, Antti. “The Mother of Jesus or the Magdalene? The Identity of Mary in the So-Called Gnostic Christian Texts.” Pages 31–41 in Which Mary? The Marys of Early Christian Tradition. Edited by F. Stanley Jones. SBLSymS 19. Atlanta, Ga.: Society of Biblical Literature, 2003.

Mohri, Erika. Maria Magdalena. Frauenbilder in Evangelientexten des 1. bis 3. Jahrhunderts. MThSt 63. Marburg: Elwert, 2000.

Parkhouse, Sarah. “Matter and Soul. The Bipartite Eschatology of the Gospel of Mary.” Pages 216–32 in Connecting Gospels. Beyond the Canonical/Non-Canonical Divide. Edited by Francis Watson and Sarah Parkhouse. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2018 (forthcoming).

Petersen, Silke. “Zerstört die Werke der Weiblichkeit!” Maria Magdalena, Salome und andere Jüngerinnen Jesu in christlich-gnostischen Schriften. NHMS 48. Leiden: Brill, 1999.

Schaberg, Jane. The Resurrection of Mary Magdalene. Legends, Apocrypha, and the Christian Testament. New York: Continuum Books, 2002.

Schröter, Jens. “Zur Menschensohnvorstellung im Evangelium nach Maria.” Pages 178-188 in Ägypten und Nubien in spätantiker und christlicher Zeit. Band 2: Schrifttum, Sprache und Gedankenwelt. Edited by Stephen Emmel. Sprachen und Kulturen des christlichen Orients 6,2. Wiesbaden: Reichert, 1999.

Shoemaker, Stephen J. “A Case of Mistaken Identity? Naming the Gnostic Mary.” Pages 5-30 in Which Mary? The Marys of Early Christian Tradition. Edited by F. Stanley Jones. SBLSymS 19. Atlanta, GA: Society of Biblical Literature, 2003.

Tardieu, Michel. Écrits gnostiques: Codex de Berlin. Sources Gnostiques et Manichéennes 1. Paris: Cerf, 1984.

Taschl-Erber, Andrea. Maria von Magdala – erste Apostolin? Joh 20,1-18: Tradition und Relecture. Herders biblische Studien 51. Freiburg u.a.: Herder, 2007.

Tuckett, Christopher M. “The Gospel of Mary.” Pages 43–53 in The Non-Canonical Gospels. Edited by P. Foster. London: T & T Clark, 2008.

Wilson, Robert McL. “The New Testament in the Gospel of Mary.” NTS 3 (1957): 236–43.