As the swooning Virgin Mary became more common, generally occupying the attention of John, the unrestrained gestures of Magdalene increasingly represented the main display of the grief of the spectators. [67][68][69] Instead, the women ran away and told no one, because they were too afraid. The identification of Mary Magdalene with Mary of Bethany and the unnamed "sinful woman" was still a major controversy in the years leading up to the Reformation, and some Protestant leaders rejected it. [117] It contains information about the role of women in the early church. The Chosen, a TV show on the Angel Studios' free streaming service, chronicles the life of Jesus and his many followers. One of Jesus' most celebrated disciples, most of what is known about Mary Magdalene comes primarily from the New Testament Gospels. [171], Starting in early High Middle Ages, writers in western Europe began developing elaborate fictional biographies of Mary Magdalene's life, in which they heavily embellished upon the vague details given in the gospels. Following this, Jesus continues his explanation with a parable about the owner of a house and a thief, ending with the common rhetoric, "Whoever has ears to hear let him hear". [133][136][135][137] Epiphanius says that the Greater Questions of Mary contained an episode in which, during a post-resurrection appearance, Jesus took Mary to the top of a mountain, where he pulled a woman out of his side and engaged in sexual intercourse with her. It had not yet been added at the time of the Tridentine Calendar of 1569 and is no longer found in the present General Roman Calendar but, once added, it remained until the General Roman Calendar of 1960. She may be shown either as very extravagantly and fashionably dressed, unlike other female figures wearing contemporary styles of clothes, or alternatively as completely naked but covered by very long blonde or reddish-blonde hair. (for LOTR: Tom Bombadil. [103] The document takes the form of a long dialogue in which Jesus answers his followers' questions. [234][235][236] Instead, the film portrays her as Jesus' closest disciple[234][235][236] and the only one who truly understands his teachings. The trauma of her rape is hinted at again in Season 2, Episode 5, and is the trigger that causes Mary to backslide. The eggs represent new life, and Christ bursting forth from the tomb. 1. She is clearly sleeping with a man out of wedlock when the episode begins and they are sleeping together in "the Red Quarter" - a sleazy part of town. In The Chosen, Nicodemus meets Mary Magdalene in Season 1, Episode 1. For other uses, see, The Old and New Testament and Gnostic contexts and the text are discussed by. You can find episode one, The Bible includes Mary Magdalene in a list of women who had evil spirits healed by Jesus. She is believed to have . [297], In 1998, Ramon K. Jusino proposed an unprecedented argument that the "Beloved Disciple" of the Gospel of John is Mary Magdalene. [118][119] The text was probably written over a century after the historical Mary Magdalene's death. When a blind man and one who sees are both together in darkness, they are no different from one another. The Chosen (TV Series 2017- ) Elizabeth Tabish as Mary Magdalene, Lilith. The first part of the gospel deals with Jesus' parting words to his followers after a post-resurrection appearance. ", "Apostle to the apostles: The story of Mary Magdalene Catholic Times", "Gospel of Jesus's Wife is fake, claims expert | World news", "Fresh Doubts Raised About Papyrus Scrap Known as 'Gospel of Jesus' Wife', "Mary Magdalene review toothless attempt to overturn Sunday school myths: Rooney Mara brings her customary intensity to the title role as Jesus' 'favourite pupil', but the result is a bit too solemn to be a convincing reinvention", "The Real Reason Why Mary Magdalene Is Such a Controversial Figure", "Apostle to the apostles: The story of Mary Magdalene", "Why Mary Magdalene is the Hollywood film Christians have been waiting for: This new movie paints a clear picture of Jesus, says Sam Hailes", "St. Mary Magdalene: Redeeming Her Gospel Reputation", "The Scholar Who Discovered the 'Jesus's Wife' Fragment Now Says It's Likely a Fake", "Magdalena p kllebro: en studie i finlandssvensk vistradition med utgngspunkt i visan om Maria Magdalena / Ann-Mari Hggman", Historical background of the New Testament, New Testament places associated with Jesus, Names and titles of Jesus in the New Testament, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mary_Magdalene&oldid=1142524915, People celebrated in the Lutheran liturgical calendar, Articles containing Biblical Hebrew-language text, Instances of Lang-el using second unnamed parameter, Articles containing Ancient Greek (to 1453)-language text, Articles containing Niwer Mil-language text, Pages with numeric Bible version references, CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown, Articles incorporating a citation from the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia with Wikisource reference, Wikipedia articles incorporating a citation from the New International Encyclopedia, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Eastern: container of ointment (as a myrrhbearer), or holding a. Johnston, Barbara, "Sacred Kingship and Royal Patronage in the La Vie de la Magdalene: Pilgrimage, Politics, Passion Plays, and the Life of Louise of Savoy" (Florida State), R. Neuman, Dissertation. Some have point to a heretical document the size of a business card known as " The Gospel of Jesus' Wife" as evidence for this. [274] The Mass and Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) remain the same as they were, except that a specific preface was added to the Mass to refer to her explicitly as the "Apostle to the Apostles". In the passage, who is it that says, "I have called you by name"? "[136][134][137] This story was supposedly the basis for the Borborite Eucharist ritual in which they allegedly engaged in orgies and drank semen and menstrual blood as the "body and blood of Christ" respectively. "[156] Ambrose (c. 340 397), by contrast, not only rejected the conflation of Mary Magdalene, Mary of Bethany, and the anointing sinner,[157] but even proposed that the authentic Mary Magdalene herself was, in fact, two separate people:[157][158] one woman named Mary Magdalene who discovered the empty tomb and a different Mary Magdalene who saw the risen Christ. [27][28] Consequently, her devotion to Jesus resulting from this healing must have been very strong. Season 2 Reflection P1: What is The Chosen Season 2 about? LOTR, Harry Potter), In [adaptation], can you think of some characters or stories that were added by the film? [185][186] Miraculously, however, the boat washes ashore at Marseille in southern France. For every woman who makes herself male shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. Almond, Philip C., 'Mary Magdalene: A Cultural History.' [287] `Abdu'l-Bah, the son of the founder of the religion, said that she was "the channel of confirmation" to Jesus' disciples, a "heroine" who "re-established the faith of the apostles" and was "a light of nearness in his kingdom". [225], Nonetheless, despite the Vatican's rejection of it, the view of Mary as a repentant prostitute only grew more prevalent in popular culture. Below I'll share an outline describing how to do a Viewing Party for The Chosen Episode 1 (I Have Called You by Name). [114][115][f] This tradition is still practiced in many Christian congregations today and is known as the "kiss of peace". She had spoken proud things with her mouth, but in kissing the Lord's feet, she now planted her mouth on the Redeemer's feet. When Nicodemus encounters her, we discover that the evil spirit that is possessing her is named Lilith. The entire series, especially Episode 1, heavily features a character named Mary Magdalene. The Gospel of Philip, dating from the second or third century, survives in part among the texts found in Nag Hammadi in 1945. [307] There is no historical evidence (from the canonical or apocryphal gospels, other early Christian writings, or any other ancient sources) to support these statements. [75][84] She at first mistook him for the gardener,[82][75] but, after she heard him say her name, she recognized him and cried out "Rabbouni!" Whether you're studying on your own or with your small group or ministry, Come and See is a perfect resource to help you dig deeper into The Chosen. He has risen, as he said. Even if covered, she often wears only a drape pulled around her, or an undergarment. Two brothers struggle with a Jewish tax collector over their debts to Rome; a Pharisee confronts a demon-possessed woman in the "Red Quarter" of Capernaum. Menu. [d] In a manner very similar to John 19:2526, the Gospel of Philip presents Mary Magdalene among Jesus' female entourage, adding that she was his koinnos,[110] a Greek word variously translated in contemporary versions as partner, associate, comrade, companion:[111][110]. Mary Magdalene is never called Lili or Lilith in the Bible. Mary Magdalene was the first eyewitness of the Risen Christ, and for this reason she was also the first to bear witness to him before the Apostles. After Jesus heals her evil spirit, she resumes calling herself "Mary," her birth name, and refuses to answer to the name associated with her spiritual oppression. [11] Mary herself spends the last thirty years of her life alone as a penitent ascetic in a cave in a desert in the French region of Provence. [65] Sanders affirms Jesus' burial by Joseph of Arimathea in the presence of Mary Magdalene and the other female followers as completely historical. Explain: The Chosen is a multi-season streaming series that's adapting the four Gospels. [256], During the Counter-Reformation and Baroque periods (late 16th and 17th centuries), the description "penitent" was added to the indication of her name on her feast day, July 22. [227] Mary is likewise portrayed as a reformed prostitute in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's 1971 rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar. It is not clear, if the text refers to Jesus' or his mother's sister, or whether the intention is to say something else. The Gospel of Thomas, usually dated to the late first or early second century, was among the ancient texts discovered in the Nag Hammadi library in 1945. When Nicodemus encounters her, we discover that the evil spirit that is possessing her is named Lilith. The story of . However, they were never admitted to the canon of the New Testament. [157] Augustine of Hippo (354 430) entertained the possibility that Mary of Bethany and the unnamed sinner from Luke might be the same person,[159] but did not associate Mary Magdalene with either of them. [232] Lady Gaga's song "Judas" (2011) is sung from Mary's perspective, portraying her as a prostitute who is "beyond repentance". [16][19][20] Mary was, by far, the most common Jewish given name for girls and women during the first century,[16][c][21] so it was necessary for the authors of the gospels to call her Magdalene in order to distinguish her from the other women named Mary who followed Jesus. This story was invented by The Chosen for the purposes of the plot. "[104] Jesus assures her, "Any of those filled with the spirit of light will come forward to interpret what I say: no one will be able to oppose them."[104]. [126] Peter approaches Mary and asks her: "Sister we know that the Savior loved you more than the rest of woman. (She wasn't.) For instance, some have said Mary and Jesus were either lovers and husband and wife. Why do you think The Chosen is trying to connect episode 1 to what will happen when Jesus is resurrected? [176][177] This portrayal became so popular that it quickly spread to Germany and England. It includes sections for you to take notes on each episode's plot, your favorite quotes, personal connections, questions, and, of course, Scripture references. Did he prefer her to us? In particular, Mary is often shown naked in the legendary scene of her "Elevation", where she is sustained in the desert by angels who raise her up and feed her heavenly manna, as recounted in the Golden Legend. [186][189][190][191][192] At every canonical hour, the angels come and lift her up to hear their songs in Heaven. 1 ) Kathleen McGowan Kindle Edition are three Christian Goddesses, making up a female.! "[144] The Church Father Origen (c. 184 c. 253) defended Christianity against this accusation in his apologetic treatise Against Celsus, mentioning Matthew 28:1, which lists Mary Magdalene and "the other Mary" both seeing the resurrected Jesus, thus providing a second witness. Jesus said: Behold, I shall lead her, that I may make her male, in order that she also may become a living spirit like you males. [67][69][77] Casey argues that the reason for this abrupt ending may be because the Gospel of Mark is an unfinished first draft. (which is Aramaic for "teacher"). Season 2 Reflection P2: What was The Chosen Season 2 about? sfn error: no target: CITEREFStrongStrong2008 (, Johnston, 64; the accounts are the Life in the, Hufstader, 3240, and throughout the rest of the article, See Johnston, 111115 on the rise and fall of Vzelay as a cult centre. Lilith's creation is recounted in The Tales of Ben Sira, an apocryphal work from the tenth century C.E. After Jesus heals her evil spirit, she resumes calling herself "Mary," her birth name . [311] There would have even been precedent for it, since the earlier Italian Renaissance painter Fra Angelico had included her in his painting of the Last Supper. You are more blessed than all women on earth, because you will be the fullness of fullness and the completion of completion. [33][27][28] Bruce Chilton, a scholar of early Christianity, states that the reference to the number of demons being "seven" may mean that Mary had to undergo seven exorcisms, probably over a long period of time, due to the first six being partially or wholly unsuccessful. In the Gnostic texts, or Gnostic gospels, Mary's closeness to Jesus results in tension with another disciple, Peter, due to her sex and Peter's envy of the special teachings given to her. It's certainly not, Due to COVID restrictions, my youth group watched The Chosen online using Zoom. This article is about the biblical figure. In ALL four gospels Mary is mentioned, mainly about . [277] Anglican Christians refer to her as a saint and may follow her example of repentance;[278][279] While some interpret the Thirty-Nine Articles as forbidding them to call upon her for intercession,[280] other Anglicans, citing the Episcopal burial service, say they can ask the saint to pray for them. "[129][130] Andrew and Peter's responses are intended to demonstrate that they do not understand Jesus' teachings[129][130] and that it is really only Mary who truly understands. Home; About; Schedules; News & Events; Contact Us She was the woman taken into adultery, whom Christ set free lest the Jews stone her, and she was with Him in three places, in the temple, at the well, and in the garden. [304], Dan Brown's 2003 bestselling mystery thriller novel The Da Vinci Code popularized a number of erroneous ideas about Mary Magdalene,[305][306] including that she was a member of the tribe of Benjamin, that she was Jesus' wife, that she was pregnant at the crucifixion, and that she gave birth to Jesus' child, who became the founder of a bloodline which survives to this very day. In the Bible, Mary Magdelene is a follower of Christ. I offer my work for free and rely on the generous support of readers like you. Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. There are also characters and stories from the Gospels that the creators have left out. [281] The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America honors Mary Magdalene on July 22 as an Apostle, albeit as a Lesser Festival. [211][212][213] Her medieval role as a patron and advocate became minimized[211] and her penitence became regarded as her most important aspect, especially in France and in the Catholic portions of southern Germany. And she began to speak to them these words: "I", she said, "I saw the Lord in a vision and I said to Him, Lord I saw you today in a vision". [246] As Gothic painted crucifixions became crowded compositions, the Magdalene became a prominent figure, with a halo and identifiable by her long unbound blonde hair, and usually a bright red dress. [10] The main surviving text comes from a Coptic translation preserved in a fifth-century manuscript (Berolinensis Gnosticus 8052,1) discovered in Cairo in 1896. (ex. [176], The theologian Honorius Augustodunensis (c. 1080 c. 1151) embellished this tale even further, reporting that Mary was a wealthy noblewoman who was married in "Magdalum",[176] but that she committed adultery, so she fled to Jerusalem and became a "public sinner" (vulgaris meretrix). The Bible includes Mary Magdalene in a list of women who had evil spirits healed by Jesus. "[125] Unlike in the Gospel of Thomas, where women can only be saved by becoming men, in the Gospel of Mary, they can be saved just as they are. [265] Raymond E. Brown, commenting on this fact, remarks that Hrabanus Maurus frequently applies the word "apostle" to Mary Magdalene in this work. [138][134] Ehrman casts doubt on the accuracy of Epiphanius's summary, commenting that "the details of Epiphanius's description sound very much like what you can find in the ancient rumor mill about secret societies in the ancient world". Mary Magdalene, Lilith, & the Redeemer (Exploring The Chosen with Youth), Elizabeth Tabish as Lilith/Mary Magdalene in The Chosen, Over the past year, we've been exploring how The Chosen adapts biblical characters like, You may want to warn students beforehand that this episode contains some demonic activity. [322] Ehrman says that, if Jesus had been married to Mary Magdalene, the authors of the gospels would definitely have mentioned it, since they mention all his other family members, including his mother Mary, his father Joseph, his four brothers, and his at least two sisters. resurrection. [75][81][83] She did not see anyone, but immediately ran to tell Peter and the "beloved disciple",[75][83] who came with her to the tomb and confirmed that it was empty,[75][82] but returned home without seeing the risen Jesus. [47] Mark 15:47 lists Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of Jesus as witnesses to the burial of Jesus. [236], The early notion of Mary Magdalene as a sinner and adulteress was reflected in Western medieval Christian art, where she was the most commonly depicted female figure after the Virgin Mary. [39] Jesus' ministry did bring women greater liberation than they would typically have held in mainstream Jewish society. Thank you! When the light comes, then he who sees will see the light, and he who is blind will remain in darkness. In The Chosen, we see a brief flashback during Season 1, Episode 1 that strongly implies that Mary was raped by a Roman soldier. Today, Mary Magdalene is considered a saint by the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican and Lutheran churches, with a feast day celebrated on July 22. [99], The earliest dialogue between Jesus and Mary Magdalene is probably the Dialogue of the Saviour,[31] a badly damaged Gnostic text discovered in the Nag Hammadi library in 1945. [94] He does conclude later, however, that Mary Magdalene must have been one of the people who had an experience in which she thought she saw the risen Jesus,[95] citing her prominence in the gospel resurrection narratives and her absence everywhere else in the gospels as evidence.[95]. Here are seven things we DO know about Mary. In The Chosen, when we first meet Mary Magdalene, most of the characters refer to her as Lili. "[219][220], The common identification of Mary Magdalene with other New Testament figures was omitted in the 1969 revision of the General Roman Calendar, with the comment regarding her liturgical celebration on July 22: "No change has been made in the title of today's memorial, but it concerns only Saint Mary Magdalene, to whom Christ appeared after his resurrection. [28] In either case, Mary must have suffered from severe emotional or psychological trauma for an exorcism of this kind to have been perceived as necessary. Mary Magdalene is never called Lili or Lilith in the Bible. [292], The Bah writings also expand upon the scarce references to her life in the canonical Gospels, with a wide array of extra-canonical stories about her and sayings which are not recorded in any other extant historical sources. [107] In saying 21, Mary herself asks Jesus the perfectly innocuous question, "Whom are your disciples like? Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Protestant churches generally do not view these writings as part of the Bible. Over time, the label stuck and now many adaptations depict her this way. [288] `Abdu'l-Bah also wrote that "her reality is ever shining from the horizon of Christ", "her face is shining and beaming forth on the horizon of the universe forevermore" and that "her candle is, in the assemblage of the world, lighted till eternity". [67][68][69] The angel told them that Jesus had risen from the dead. It's certainly not The Exorcist, but demonic stuff can really freak some people out. [160], The unnamed "sinful woman" in Luke 7:3650 is never identified as a prostitute[161] and, in Jewish society at the time the gospel was written, "sinful" could have simply meant that she "did not assiduously observe the law of Moses". Mary Magdalene According to the Bible. Have you seen other examples of how Jesus can show up suddenly and change someone's life in a big way? Do you believe Jesus knows you by name? [186] De Voragine gives the common account of the transfer of Mary Magdalene's relics from her sepulchre in the oratory of Saint Maximin at Aix-en-Provence to the newly founded Vzelay;[193] the transportation of the relics is entered as undertaken in 771 by the founder of the abbey, identified as Gerard, Duke of Burgundy.