A "Gospel of Jesus’ Wife" on a Coptic Papyrus
Bible and archaeology news
An Early Reference to Jesus’ Wife
This early Christian Coptic papyrus includes an early reference to Jesus' wife, whose existence is never explicitly stated or denied in the New Testament. Photo: Karen L. King.
King has made it clear that this fourth-century “previously unknown gospel” does not imply that Jesus had a wife; instead, if authentic, the text reveals that an early Christian population believed that Jesus was married. King posits that the Coptic fragment is a translation of a late second-century Greek gospel. Interestingly, the earliest extant claim that Jesus was not married was recorded by Clement of Alexandra around 200 C.E.. These nearly contemporaneous yet divergent early Christian texts reveal that the extended debate on Jesus’ wife, his celibacy and Christian behavior dates back to an earlier period than previously believed.
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Understanding the Coptic Papyrus
The 1.5 x 3-inch Coptic papyrus fragment contains 8 lines on the front and six on the back. While the newly announced text is shrouded by a sea of unanswered questions—the original provenience is unknown and the owner of the collection has asked to remain anonymous—King consulted scholars from esteemed institutions including the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World, Princeton University, the Harvard Theological Review and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, who verify the text’s authenticity.
King unveiled the discovery at Tuesday’s 10th International Congress of Coptic Studies in Rome and the announcement immediately attracted the media’s attention, which will undoubtedly lead to further testing. While the faded ink, the grammar and handwriting appear authentic, King plans to conduct spectrometry and further analysis on the papyrus’ date and authenticity.
Update: Read new developments in this case in “Is the Gospel of Jesus’ Wife a Fake?,” “Owner of the Gospel of Jesus’ Wife Papyrus Unmasked” and “Timeline of the Gospel of Jesus’ Wife Saga.”
Mary Magdalene as a Disciple
The passage “Jesus said to them, ‘My wife …’” is not the only revealing text in this Coptic papyrus fragment. Another clause says “she will be able to be my disciple.” Other phrases include “My mother gave to me life” and “Mary is worthy of it.”
Karen King of the Harvard Divinity School examines what she describes as "a new gospel." The text does not prove the existence of Jesus’ wife; instead, it shows that an early Christian population believed that he was married.
King dated the original composition of this “new gospel” by a comparison with similarly phrased Gnostic gospels including the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Mary and the Gospel of Philip. The Gospel of Philip provides some insightful clues into the relationship of Mary and Jesus. In the article “Did Jesus Marry?,”* Birger A. Pearson analyzes Jesus’ relationship with Mary Magdalene in the Gospel of Philip. While Dan Brown used the restored text, “And the companion of the Savior was Mary Magdalene. The Savior loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on her mouth” to suggest that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married, Pearson points out that:
More importantly, immediately following the first passage quoted above, Jesus goes on to explain Mary’s special role in terms of her capacity to receive his instruction—and not her sex appeal. When, in the Gospel of Philip, the disciples ask Jesus why he loves Mary more than them, Jesus responds, “Why do I not love you like her?” He then answers his own question: “When a blind man and one who sees are both together in darkness, they are no different from one another. When the light comes, then he who sees will see the light, and he who is blind will remain in darkness.”1 Jesus is suggesting that he favors Mary because she is like a sighted person compared with the dullard male disciples, who are like blind men. Thus, Mary’s “companionship” is spiritual rather than physical.
King’s “new gospel” may provide a more explicit indication that some early Christian communities believed that Jesus was married, and moreover, that Mary Magdalene was his wife. While the fragment’s date several centuries after the life of Jesus precludes contemporaneous evidence of the historical Jesus, the discovery may greatly further our understanding of early Christian perception of marriage and the New Testament.
Read more from the Harvard Divinity School.
Notes
* Pearson, Birger A. “Did Jesus Marry?” Bible Review, Spring 2005, 32-39, 47.
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Yawn….
Another “scholar” looking to make a splash plays on the emotions of those who are not aware of all the goofy stuff one can find in Coptic/Gnostic Egyptian writings from the 4th century, C.E.
I thought Elaine Pagels had played this all out years ago….
Yawn….
Another “scholar” looking to make a splash plays on the emotions of those who are not aware of all the goofy stuff one can find in Coptic/Gnostic Egyptian writings from the 4th century, C.E.
I thought Elaine Pagels had played this all out years ago….
Dear Bible Arche..If you were a Christian now or in those days, or a disciple of Christ, you would have known exactly what Jesus was talking about. His Christians/Disciples ARE His “wife.” Once you are saved and accept Jesus into your life, you are ONE with Him, just like a husband and wife, you become one with the body of Christ, which He calls His “Bride”. He even tells us that we are His disciples when we become His, to spread this gospel (good news) to others. Don’t you, when you are in love? He uses this like a simple parable. Why can’t people grasp even that from Scripture? It was the beginning of the Christian faith when He resurrected, and the TRUE church of Christ, which He called His “Bride” that stays true to His Word to the END.. He even calls other religions whores that change and write their “own jesus”..do you understand? So this may well be authentic but the people in this article and who is writing this article have cheapened and perversed the precious saving grace of Jesus Christ into blaspheme once again. I would hate to be in their places when He comes to get His “Bride” for the Marriage Supper! Which is also in Scripture! Accept Jesus as your Saviour, and you too will renew your mind and not conform to this sick world..
Dear Bible Arche..If you were a Christian now or in those days, or a disciple of Christ, you would have known exactly what Jesus was talking about. His Christians/Disciples ARE His “wife.” Once you are saved and accept Jesus into your life, you are ONE with Him, just like a husband and wife, you become one with the body of Christ, which He calls His “Bride”. He even tells us that we are His disciples when we become His, to spread this gospel (good news) to others. Don’t you, when you are in love? He uses this like a simple parable. Why can’t people grasp even that from Scripture? It was the beginning of the Christian faith when He resurrected, and the TRUE church of Christ, which He called His “Bride” that stays true to His Word to the END.. He even calls other religions whores that change and write their “own jesus”..do you understand? So this may well be authentic but the people in this article and who is writing this article have cheapened and perversed the precious saving grace of Jesus Christ into blaspheme once again. I would hate to be in their places when He comes to get His “Bride” for the Marriage Supper! Which is also in Scripture! Accept Jesus as your Saviour, and you too will renew your mind and not conform to this sick world..
Of course Jesus was married. All Jewish men of his age were expected to marry by 30. So what? There may have even been children. It was corruption of the early church the made Mary Magdeline a prostitute and persecuted women.
That doesn’t take away from his teachings. What is wrong with you people anyway?
Of course Jesus was married. All Jewish men of his age were expected to marry by 30. So what? There may have even been children. It was corruption of the early church the made Mary Magdeline a prostitute and persecuted women.
That doesn’t take away from his teachings. What is wrong with you people anyway?
why is this piece of papyrus called a ‘gospel’ – where exactly is the good news?
I second Paul, (presuming this discovery is from coptic literature) my background is Coptic – and certainly wouldn’t consider some of their literature consistent with biblical testimony.
why is this piece of papyrus called a ‘gospel’ – where exactly is the good news?
I second Paul, (presuming this discovery is from coptic literature) my background is Coptic – and certainly wouldn’t consider some of their literature consistent with biblical testimony.
Sensationalism at it’s best. The translation is companion or partner, and in light of the context, He is referring to her understanding of the gospel message. She got it, and he is telling his disciples they didn’t.
Sensationalism at it’s best. The translation is companion or partner, and in light of the context, He is referring to her understanding of the gospel message. She got it, and he is telling his disciples they didn’t.