Was Mary Magdalene Jesus' Wife?

[@cedricvaz6112]

Now that I am in my late 60's I no longer want to believe anyone and anything.! It's better to say "I don't know" as it then leaves you with infinite possibilities to seek and learn always.!

[@WMedl]

That must be a poor life to trust nobody....

[@briobarb8525]

Also in my mid 60's...and I no longer "believe" any one religion...not because I don't want to...but rather because I have through all my searching found that human beings have the ability to "convince themselves" of (aka...to believe) in anything they WANT TO convince themselves of. If our ignorance doesn't get us...our arrogance will. I choose to humbly admit...I don't KNOW...and I don't feel the need to believe one way or the other. All others...please don't respond to me with all your reasons, sermons or testimonies of why I should or need to believe one way or the other. Been there...done that! Spare us both.

[@YasserAljohani]

I just want to recommend The Holy Quran for you. Give it a read as you open to seek and learn. You owe it to yourself. It may change your whole life. You may find that one thing that you've been looking for your whole life. A something that put everything into perspective, a something that gives a meaning and a purpose no matter who you are, no matter where you are, and no matter how old you are. I urge you to give it a read.

[@Shaf-tec59]

Cedric, I too am in my early 60's and I 100% agree. After a long, long search, i ened up nowhere and I also chose to say" I don't know". To be honest, I have freed my mind from all religions and prefer to stay neither believing nor rejecting. A ton of weight and fear fell off my mind and soul. "The usefulness of the cup is it's emptiness" (Bruce Lee (RIP)).

[@cedricvaz6112]

​@@YasserAljohani Yes Sir. I truly want to read and understand The Koran some day. And most importantly compare it's teachings with the Jewish and Christian Bibles. Mainly to find answers about our life which is so very complex. The Hindu scriptures and also the Zoroastrian, Buddhist, Sikh, Shinto and Taoism scriptures may all be worth going through. But one lifetime is just not enough to achieve all this after retirement from working life.! 🤔

[@furrry6056]

Not even a Christian (and in fact a Buddhist) but Bart is so much fun to listen to that I just can't stop watching :-)

[@stephenbouchelle7706]

Haha me too - agreed

[@georgekataftos]

Gospel of the holy 12 vegan bible 1st century only vegans can find it

[@carolynsilvers9999]

I am a Buddhist also

[@philipgregg7912]

Hi Bart. You must remember that the Catholic Church wanted to minimise the role of women and to denograte them whenever possible because it fitted their narrative of the direction where Christianity was headed. I read mary magdalen's gospel sime years ago and its contents stated the she was a woman of means as you stated, but she used her wealth to finance Jesus's ministry. If that were true then she would be a very important person in the life of Jesus. Also it does seem strange that we know of Jesus's birth and nothing until he's in his 30's. The truth is we dont know what went on in his life during that period. He could be single. He could equally be married, with children. I got the impression that Mary was more imortant to jesus than his deciples, otherwise why did they make such an issue of her role. Just because her specific role has not been stated does not exclude the possibility of her being his wife. The truth is we dont know.😮

[@karlhalvorson]

This has become one of my favorite channels. Love the intro, love Megan as host, and, of course, loving hearing Bart in this format.

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

I, on the other hand, try my best to skip the intro-not always completely successfully. I was considering posting a link to the start of the actual discussion for others who feel as I do.

[@termination9353]

@@jeffryphillipsburns JESUS HAD A SON VIA MARY MAG John 19:25-27 25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother[Mary], and his mother's sister[in-law], Mary the wife of Cleophas[mother Mary's brother], and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by[Mary Magdalene], whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy [grand]son! [in Mary Mag's womb/pregnant.] 27 Then saith he to the disciple[Mary Mag], Behold thy mother[in-law/Jesus' mother Mary]! And from that hour that disciple[Mary Mag] took her[Jesus' mother] unto his[Jesus'] own home [The home of Jesus and his now pregnant wife Mary Magdalene] in a midwifing arrangement.

[@petermazug7704]

​@@termination9353 Lmao, be careful not to sprain anythinge with all this stretching!

[@termination9353]

@@petermazug7704 Funny that's my same accusation against you guyz.

[@MossyMozart]

@@termination9353 - Wow! You better let Professor Ehrman know RIGHT AWAY! Boy, is he going to be embarrassed.

[@Bronco541]

That part at the end about speakint out hit home. Ive been guilty lately about self censorsing because im afraid of arguments. Standing up for what you believe in can be really difficult but its important.

[@WildandFree4]

😊

[@FionaBranker]

Bart is not only a brilliant scholar but a lovable nerd! I wish my lecturers were like him when I was in college

[@bennyuchiha8501]

I just wish he was my dad... that's all...

[@robnarolewski9966]

I wish I could figure out why his affect irritates me so much. He seems like a good guy. When he habitually and maniacally laughs at anything marginally interesting it hits a nerve for some reason. I still can't stay away from his content though, it is fascinating. Who better than Mary Magdalene? Hahahahahahaha!

[@DA-yd2ny]

Just because you have no clue doesn’t mean Bart is a nerd …….

[@another_chance3332]

Please please reconsider.. I beg you. He is wrong. He is a deciver. I'm not lying he is lying . Please reconsider. 🙏

[@another_chance3332]

Please please reconsider. He is wrong

[@wagsman9999]

My entire view of Christianity has changed because of Dr. Ehrman, his books, and his lectures.

[@phillipblair9511]

Read Jesus Christ slowly and deliberately. You will understand his teachings and example differently than most of us were taught. You will experience the warm-hearted Wisdom and limitless Compassion. Wisdom and Compassion that we wish was ubiquitous in all so-called Christianity. 🙏

[@wagsman9999]

@@phillipblair9511 The problem is we have no idea what Jesus actually said or did because the entire new testament is not based on contemporary evidence. It's a recorded tradition that was circulating, a tradition so obviously the victim of legend and exaggeration (Mark and John are not the same Jesus). This is why reading SCHOLARSHIP is so important, SCHOLARS that do not have faith commitments that bias their research. No one can say what Jesus said or did with absolute certainty... it's legendary and not demonstrable.

[@MrBevoRules]

​​@@phillipblair9511 Read Bart Ehrman slowly and deliberately and you'll find we have very little information about Jesus. I jest. I don't agree with you, but I have absolutely no problem with compassionate, loving Christians. Regardless of anything else, more Christians need to be like that.

[@MAMoreno]

@@wagsman9999 This isn't exactly unusual, though. It's fairly common for followers of a teacher or philosopher to write down their words after the fact. At worst, it's like trying to recover the authentic teachings of Socrates from his students' texts.

[@raydavison4288]

​@@MAMoreno : Buddhism is another good example of your comment. We have only the legends of Buddha, written down long after his death, and probably long after the death of anyone who witnessed his "ministry".

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

I am quite convinced that Mary Magdalene was "the disciple that Jesus loved".

[@jvaught58]

That was John

[@smeatonlighthouse4384]

If you want to take that sort of stupid argument, then you have to say that Lazarus who Christ raised from the dead was the disciple that Jesus loved. It states clearly that Jesus loved Martha, Mary and their brother Lazarus. By the way, what version of the Bible are you reading, because you want to throw it in the bin if that is what you are getting from it.

[@Lorenzo_That_Vegan_Dad]

I love this man's chuckle. Hehe

[@milkamilosevic9626]

I think that all are forgeting one important fact;all of them were Jews and thers faith was Judaism and it was only one stream of understandig and thinking,but all within Judaism! They were no christians

[@shabdmystic]

If you want to know Mary read The Gospel According to Mary Magdalene.

[@Sunny25611]

Misogyny run’s deep in the Biblical text’s thanks to the first Pope who probably had several wives. . Honestly, this is the reason why I struggled with Christianity in my early years.

[@smeatonlighthouse4384]

There is no problem with that. The Pope was not a Christian and neither have the rest since then been. If you want to examine Christianity, look and study Jesus Christ. It is all about Him.

[@jeffreyhicks6585]

The idea that Maru Madeliene was Jesus's Wife is based on the Gnostic Gospel of Phillip verse 55 where Mary Madeliene is referred to a the consort of the Savior meanig wife

[@ChristEnlightening]

Among others mentioned such as Gospel of Mary, Resurrection story, modern scholars such as William E Phipps and Margaret Starbird.

[@glennalphonse9711]

Hello Scholars hope all is well . Just me if Jesus had a wife so be it ,he kissed her on the. lips case closed. By the way didn't other Gods have a Wife so why can't he . No where in the Scripture does it state Jesus was celibate . Some say he also had children 😮

[@dancahill9585]

Sure, we have Bart Ehrman on the one hand, but we have Dan Brown on the other. Sorry Bart, but Dan has sold over 200 million copies, so I have to go with him. /s Edit: I thought everyone in 2023 knew /s meant end sarcastic statement. I guess I was wrong.

[@Cheryllyle]

It's not the number of copies one sells, its the accuracy of the topic. I will go with Bart Ehrman every day of the week.

[@ppetal1]

Sorry Dan. That's one weird perspective.

[@secretgoldfish931]

He’s joking

[@Philusteen]

@@Cheryllyle Please, people - if you don't recognize " /s " as denoting sarcasm, well now you know and you can delete your comment, lol

[@kencreten7308]

😅

[@royderuyter8447]

I believe that Jesus was married. I am going by the wedding where Jesus turned water into wine. Why was Mother Mary so concerned about this wedding and the wine running out? It was Jesus's and Mary Magdalena's wedding. She was the host of this wedding. Jesus turned water into wine at his own wedding. It's also a very symbolic because of that too. The truth of this was edited out because the church wanted to disempower women within the church. Within society. Now women are being empowered again. This is part of Jesus's message. Jesus wouldn't have discriminated against women but the men after him wanted to have the power. They discriminated against women. Women were very much involved in Jesus's time here. They were first to the tomb on Sunday. They were present at the cross when he was passing.

[@Aaron-cy7oo]

You're allowed to think anything you want, but you can't declare it as a truth and/or fact. It is a fun theory though

[@hubertlenningrad2252]

Jesus had a sugar mama?

[@cupajoe99]

exactly

[@edelgyn2699]

Sounds like he had several! 😉

[@overcomingsins6334]

i now understand the meaning of GOD gave them over to reprobate minds. I wasn't feel so bad anymore about hell fire

[@Theslavedrivers]

Mohammed followed suit ..

[@Endrin911]

@@Theslavedrivers Khadijah

[@dmitriypismenyuk7310]

Mr Erhman has such a gift of explaining. Just pure joy to listen to him speak. Thank you both for that.

[@saaddabish1]

Megan big beautiful smile turns to Stone Cold face in blink of an eye

[@newone1634]

YES!100%!

[@Aaron-cy7oo]

And then blinks a few more times lol. We love ya Meg and take note that we are not slighting you

[@jillmorgan7309]

He was saying there were no banks then. I am curious about the Parable of the Talents. The one guy went and hid the talent he was given to keep it safe. Then the master is upset with him and said he could have put it in the bank and got some interest. The KJV said "exchangers" and "usury". But isn't that the same as a bank?

[@velkyn1]

pretty much. they were just "moneylenders" of a private sort.

[@ezshottah3732]

Sounds like Jesus and Mary had a lot of pillow talk 😂

[@termination9353]

- The Gospel of Jesus was originally one book, written by Lazarus in consultation with the Apostles [John 21:24] and published soon after Jesus left them on their own. The religion was hijacked by Rome, the Gospel was broken up scrambled adulterated into a bunch of competing narratives. Later four of those adulterated gospels were canonized with falsely ascribed authorship and a Gnosticism cover-story. It was the finding of an original Gospel of Jesus scroll in Jerusalem that gained the Knights Templar power over the Church and their eventual undoing when the church finally retaliated against them Friday 13th.

[@eodiete]

What about the gospel of Mary ?

[@MichaelYoder1961]

Always look forward to Bart (and Megan) and the weekly episode. Enlightening and entertaining as well! Thanks.

[@gsandy5235]

I think going to the tomb with the intention of anointing his naked body with oils and spices implies that Jesus and Mary had had an intimate relationship.

[@hassanmuhammad2799]

As a Muslim, whether Jesus had a wife or not doesn't affect my faith. However, if you believe Jesus had a wife BUT HE'S GOD IN FLESH (maybe had children and descendants to this day), then how does that affect Christianity?

[@smeatonlighthouse4384]

Are you a pervert or something. That is ridiculous.

[@keitho8131]

When you recommend we read something like the gospel of Philip, I would appreciate an actual book, or books, recommendation. This can be in the video, comments, or description. Actually, book recommendations for additional information would be appreciated on any video

[@MaxGoof]

I always look forward to these episodes. Thanks for the excellent content, Megan and Bart!

[@SajiSNairNair-tu9dk]

👉Sherlock Jesus family photos in ⛪? 👈👉 Matha 👈👉pitha 😮

[@sniklenave6557]

Wow Megan is so beautiful it’s stunning. Then I found out she’s gay… I’d be open to try and change that lol.

[@browsingstuffaimlessly4663]

Ironically, I watch this to help formulate my faith and philosophy. At a young age something felt WRONG with what I was being taught in church. I am more interested in the people that Jesus and his followers were and not the aggrandizing and demeaning of other's roles over the centuries. What keeps ringing in my mind is "as it is written" and "ears to hear, eyes to see" in a manner of speaking. I would rather talk to a scholar and linguistics professors about scripture than any priest or religious leader alive today. Those "leaders", to me, are just trying to be my god without overtly saying it, and I will not have any other gods before me so to speak. I feel like Mary got a raw deal just because of sexism and jealousy. In my view, the Churches are the spiritual children of Mary and Jesus. That importance was diminished by thousands of years of sexism and jealousy that we suffer from to this day. The Church has removed the woman's importance and contributions beyond that of a mother and elevated a man to a god because it is "apparently" impossible for a human male to be truly good, by their doctrine, thereby robbing themselves the possibility of being truly good on their own merit and works, and then be wholly dependent and bidden to the authority of the Church. I was afraid to say this

[@RandiRain]

Since her name means "tower", maybe she was just very tall?

[@carolynsilvers9999]

Or strong in spirit

[@RandiRain]

@@carolynsilvers9999 Whatever that means.

[@johnadey3696]

Archaeologists digging up papyrus fragments at Oxyrhynchos on the Nile found a piece on which was written "and Jesus said to his wife" Unfortunately the rest was missing.

[@klauscosmin]

384 / 5,000 Jesus was not married and this is what Clement of Alexandria says in his The Stromata. In the 2nd century theological dispute on whether a married christian can truly dedicate himself to God, Clement, who was on the side that supported marriage, combats those "who proudly claimed to imitate Jesus, who was neither married nor had possessions in this world". In his The Stromata, III.6.49 Clement said: "they do not know the reason why the Lord did not marry. In the first place he had his own bride, the Church; and in the next place he was no ordinary man that he should also be in need of some helpmeet after the flesh". I suppose that Clement was better informed at the end of 2nd century whether Jesus was married or not. And that almost all the churches founded by Jesus direct discipols (except Peter) claimed in that dispute that the Lord was not married is a strong argument that Jesus was more likely not married.

[@Kyeudo]

We have little evidence that Clement was operating on any solid historical data.

[@overcomingsins6334]

​@@Kyeudo the Bible is also doesn't support this idiotic claim, neither the Koran, or anything. This speculation, put there to make confusion

[@carolynsilvers9999]

Evidently, Peter didn't recognize that Mary was his meal ticket since she and other women supported them financially

[@ernestschroeder9762]

Is this Megan from digital hammurabi?

[@thelostone6981]

I would love an episode (or 20) on the Gnostic gospels. But I sincerely appreciate these podcasts and have learned so much from the.

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

Didn’t we have one already?

[@thelostone6981]

@@jeffryphillipsburns my memory isn’t what it use to be so maybe? But still, with the gospels of Thomas, Philip, Mary, and the secret books of James and John, plus many others, there is a lot there.

[@termination9353]

- The Gospel of Jesus was originally one book, written by Lazarus in consultation with the Apostles [John 21:24] and published soon after Jesus left them on their own. The religion was hijacked by Rome, the Gospel was broken up scrambled adulterated into a bunch of competing narratives. Later four of those adulterated gospels were canonized with falsely ascribed authorship and a Gnosticism cover-story. It was the finding of an original Gospel of Jesus scroll in Jerusalem that gained the Knights Templar power over the Church and their eventual undoing when the church finally retaliated against them Friday 13th.

[@geoattoronto]

Mary was a major apostle and close to Jesus. John the new says she was Jesus wife.

[@KissSlowlyLoveDeeply-pm2je]

is Bart Jewish?

[@JeannieSoko]

No, atheist

[@Endrin911]

@@JeannieSoko Wtf..

[@Wretched2JZ]

The history channel said men who were rabbis needed to be married. That’s what I “heard” not sure how true it is!

[@tonyahancock9863]

Well they were expected to fulfill God's command to "be fruitful and multiply".

[@mizzbee7406]

Her being given the job of telling others of his resurrection seems pretty significant to me. And what about the gospel of Mary? I know it isn't in the Bible, but is it not historically significant?

[@mizzbee7406]

Supporting them financially is also significant... I get that the speculation of their relationship is fabricated, but the rest of this is pretty important!

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

Everyone did NOT read Dan Brown’s book. Well, I did, in fact, read the first paragraph while browsing in a bookstore, just to see if he could write. The answer is a resounding, very emphatic “no”.

[@Paremata]

Dan Brown is truly awful. I was actually interested in the background about how we came up with the mythology around angels and demons and listened to the Audio Book hoping to get something that would lead me to the history of this mythology. No such luck; just a very poor, unbelievable piece of work. I listened with my eldest daughter and we always get a great laugh out of the main character who finishes the novel using his coat to save himself from falling out of a plane or helicopter. I think I read through a couple of chapters of Digital Fortress. I guess I'm just embarrassed to admit that I made it through a couple.

[@thelyrebird1310]

I read it and laughed myself off my chair with all the invention of 'proof' I read it as a comedic book of errors

[@termination9353]

- The Gospel of Jesus was originally one book, written by Lazarus in consultation with the Apostles [John 21:24] and published soon after Jesus left them on their own. The religion was hijacked by Rome, the Gospel was broken up scrambled adulterated into a bunch of competing narratives. Later four of those adulterated gospels were canonized with falsely ascribed authorship and a Gnosticism cover-story. It was the finding of an original Gospel of Jesus scroll in Jerusalem that gained the Knights Templar power over the Church and their eventual undoing when the church finally retaliated against them Friday 13th.

[@Paremata]

@@termination9353 That's one possibility out of thousands. Without a time machine to go back no one can know for sure. One possibility is that Jesus is a completely made-up myth.

[@termination9353]

@@Paremata Even a made-up myth says what it says and doesn't say what it doesn't say.

[@benedictcowell6547]

There has recently appeared an article in which it was argued that the female brain is different from the male, and that it is a busy and caring mind. I recall that although I was not a believer I love the Ethics of Christianity and the religious music and art so I went with a believer on Easter day to Brecon Cathedral. I have to admit that I went as a spectator, disengaged, but interested in the rituals and ceremonial. The service assumed the standard form of a Anglican service in the Church in Wales, which is to say the hymns, psalms, lessons and sermon but before the sermon a gospel is read, and for this the clergy advanced into the aisle of the church replete with the bible, an Incense burner and the clergy regaled in their frocks [surplice] and the bishop with his mitre. All this was faintly comical to a none believer. [The Bishop put his mitre on, took off his mitre and one of their number aimed the incense at the holy text.] This occurred shortly after the Anglican church had accepted the ministry of women, in the face of fierce resistance from a coterie, of principally males ,who claimed authority and the remit of unique authenticity for their view. This was nearly 70 years after women in the Lutheran Churches in Sweden, Denmark, Norway,and Germany had accepted woman's ministry with no diminution of religious conviction. The gospel for Easter began, and I began to listen to the account of the Resurrection In this one it is Mary Magdalene who discovers the empty tomb, and bewails the fact and then meets a man in the Garden who turns out to be Jesus, and he tells her that his mission on earth is now over, but it is she who is to tell the disciples. [This was not the manager of a football team telling the secretary that she was to tell the lads there would be training as usual on Monday] this was the focus of Christian Faith confiding the task to Mary Magdalene, a woman, to instruct the men on his and their mission. And I was left aghast at how for two millennia men have confiscated Christian orthodoxy and bestowed it uniquely on themselves and have arrogated spiritual power [and muscle power] to themselves. I left the Cathedral no more imbued with orthodox Christian apologia and belief than when I entered ,but amazed that men could insist, even in the face of their own canonical bible, upon their primacy. The gospel of Mary is, according to scholars, an interesting text and suggests that this Christianity at least proclaims an ethical Christ much closer to the traditions of Platonic Philosophy and much closer, I might add, to the traditions of the Ethical philosophical tradition culminating with Kant [also called Immanuel]I am told that this makes me an authentic Christian and thanks to Bach St. Matthew's Passion I remain appalled at the cruelty and barbarism, for the most part of men. That is why I am intrigued, and even persuaded by the Gospel of Mary, apocryphal or not and why Easter has some measure of importance. It not only that I listen to Bach' 'Mathew Passion' in which the last part is almost unbearable in its poignancy but because in despite of this gratuitous political barbarism there appears a moment of almost concealed if incidental truth in the canon. That the divine mission was confided not to clamorous men but to a woman in a moment of exquisite and moving poetical truth and intimacy. A woman more over who was either denigrated or dismissed or marginalised over two millennia in a conspiracy of men that has defaced Christianity and Civilisation over long. I am not an enlisted Humanist because that movement seems to be developing into an ideology with the same nasty inclinations to prejudice and bigotry and a species of spurious reason which is only secular rationalisation. It should behove us to recognise and connect that Scientific Paper with this Easter revelation. Some Christians were there two thousand years before Science.

[@edwardgrabczewski]

Absolutley fascinating information about Mary Magdalene, debunking lots of misinformation about her and making the valid point that she may have been the first Catholic! I vote for her as the first Pope - thus starting a precedent that all Popes must be female! 😄

[@weylguy]

Many of Jesus' followers were unmarried and celibate, and still others were married and had families. Jesus did not come to have a romantic interest in any woman, least of all to get married and have a family Himself. He came to redeem the human race, which the New Testament makes quite clear. There have been and will always be those who seek a back story to His life in an attempt to humanize Him according to our own human nature. It makes for interesting and entertaining thought, but that's about it.

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

“Came” from where? Out of the womb? I very much doubt anyone comes out of the womb to do anything in particular.

[@Mel-rj3tj]

@@jeffryphillipsburnsHe came from Heaven. Imagine leaving a perfect place to this sin ridden earth (glorious in original form) to save us. He is Lord!

[@nbenefiel]

I just read an article claiming an ancient text was found proving Jesus married Mary Magdalene and they had two kids. However, the article said nothing about who found this text, where it was found, when it was dated to, or who translated it. Pardon me if I remain skeptical.

[@Aaron-cy7oo]

He probably was married to her, but the narrative shall remain at any and all cost

[@nbenefiel]

@@Aaron-cy7oo There is no mention in early literature of Jesus being married.

[@peterjordaan9025]

In reality it is possible that Mary & jesus where "married". The people that wrote the bible did not want to follow that story line

[@jeffersonneto1378]

Bullshit non hysterical 😂

[@ghasanm3552]

A god who is being supported financially by women.

[@radwanabu-issa4350]

Bart is playing the liberal majority card against dissenting minorities. He said he has no simpathy for someone who is intimidated by the majority of not standing up and fighting back!

[@tet68vietnam72]

I attend a Saturday morning men's Bible study group at my church and this topic came up one week about a year or so ago. Out of the 17 men that were there for the discussion, I was the only one who believed that Jesus being married or even an Earthly father would not impact my belief in Him as the Son of God. I would continue to put my faith in him as my Lord and Savior. The Gospels are clear that Jesus was not only fully God, but fully man, and a Jewish man. It would be extremely unusual for a Jewish man of his age in His time not to be married. I am not saying He WAS married; I'm only saying that it would not diminish my belief in His divinity. I also stand in opposition to my Catholic friends in their belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, remained a virgin throughout her life and was free of "Original Sin," which the Catholics call the "Immaculate Conception." In the Gospels, priests speak of the brothers and sisters of Jesus. Most Christian apologists say they are actually referring to cousins of Jesus. I believe the Gospels mean what they say. Jesus had half brothers and sisters, as Joseph was not Jesus' father.

[@BavonWW]

I have never read the Da Vinci code. This has a lot to do with the fact I'm sure it's a crock from snippets I have read and the interminable references to it. The important thing to remember is that it is fiction. Most of the Bible is too especially the New Testament. People often lose track of veracity because they fail to preserve the distinction between fact and fiction. Think of the times you hear people saying; " x would sort that baddie out easily." X being Rambo, Reacher, Sparrow, Ripley or one of a host of fictional characters. It's an easy mistake to make especially with action heroes. Whoops, I have wandered off the trail a bit. Right, back on the beam now! The difference with holy book is that a small possibility of them being true exists; whereas with pure fiction we know it's not true from page one. So there is no place in a podcast like this for Dan Brown et al. I think I need to get some sleep as it's way past my bedtime. 🙃 But do you get my point? (Oh, I forgot Arnie!)

[@NolanKingston]

I think it’s disappointing that the marriage in Cana was not discussed because according to Jewish tradition, I hear, if anyone has a problem at the wedding reception, then it is the mother of the groom to whom you address your issues. If the mother of the groom cannot handle the issue at hand, then you address the groom himself. That’s precisely what transpired at the wedding at Cana. Jesus, if I am correct about Jewish tradition, was therefore the groom.

[@willie_bones]

I enjoy Bart and Megan’s series. When I look back and determine which video I already seen I used Megan hair color to decide. I already seen all the pink hair videos 😅

[@eddiericks6554]

She was not his wife people are so gullible 😂

[@husambadawi7822]

In Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine we call her ( Maryam Al-Majdalaiya مريم المجدلية ) which literaly means Marry from Majdal (with J not G ).. there are a bunch of townes in these four countries that starts with Majdal, you can see it easily on the map. So yes, Marry Magdalin means definetly Mary from Magdala of Majdala

[@ChristEnlightening]

Thank you

[@giovannimannelli2158]

She isn't a marginal figure

[@craigfairweather3401]

Thanks Dr Ehrman and Meghan. On the title Magdalene another explanation is that it means “the Tower” possibly because she was a source of strength for the movement, and was tall, stately, and richly adorned as befitted a woman of wealth. Also in Jerusalem there was already a Mary Tower that dominated the Upper City: the Mariamne Tower of Herod’s palace was the most beautifully ornamental of Herod’s three colossal towers and it was inside the Western Hill section, wealthiest part of the city. Mariamne was a common Greekified way of saying Mariam/ Maria. It would be like identifying/nicknaming a wealthy woman named Liberty as Liberty Statue or Lady Liberty. Also there is no proof that the town that maps and people have called “Magdala” was called that in the 1st century. It could well be (see Albright) in Greek Tarichaea (meaning ‘Salted Fish’) and with the additional name of Migdal Nunayya ‘Tower of/forFish’ as it did have a large tower that had a fire on top at night to orientate fishing boats on the lake. By AD 66 Tarichaea was claimed by Josephus to have 40,000 people. Dr. G.Craig Fairweather.

[@colacurciolaw7745]

Fun! Thank you for this.

[@DianaDM-is3gn]

Hello🩵 If you had the chance to ask Mary Magdalene a question, what would you ask her??

[@Aaron-cy7oo]

What's her body count would be my question

[@DianaDM-is3gn]

@@Aaron-cy7oo sorry , what ??

[@RexJebamoney]

What Bart has done to me is that after listening to his views, I has started to look at Jesus as a Jew who explained his interpretation of the Torah and also think in terms of 1st century thinking soon after Jesus was crucified. Christianity developed through times thereafter based on the interpretation of the writers and Paul, who added Roman and Greek interpretation of a Jewish faith.

[@jaflenbond7854]

All the great, superior, and powerful Atheists, Agnostics, Christians, JWs, Born Agains, Catholics, SDAs, Mormons, Baptists, Methodists, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, fanatics of all Religions in the world KNOW that they - 1. don't respect and obey the Sovereignty and commandments of the Creator 2. don't submit to the authority of Jesus Christ as the One given by the Creator all authority in heaven and on earth and rejected too his teachings about the "Kingdom of God" and "Resurrection of the Dead" as worthless and useless, no value whatsoever in their own lives and existence. Loving, kind, and respectful persons on earth KNOW that they rejected the superiority, power, and greatness of Atheism, Agnosticism, and Religious Fanaticism as worthless and useless, no value whatsoever in their own lives and existence and instead - 1. love, honor, and obey the Creator as their loving, kind, and merciful God and Heavenly Father 2. submit to the authority of Jesus Christ as the Creator's Chosen King and Ruler of the heavens and the earth and believe his teachings about the "Kingdom of God" and "Resurrection of the Dead". Jesus Christ KNOWS that loving kind, and respectful human beings who submit to his authority and believe his teachings about the "Kingdom of God" and "Resurrection of the Dead" will be favored, honored and rewarded by the loving, kind, and merciful Creator with Eternal Life and existence without sufferings, pains, griefs, sickness, and deaths on a safe, secure, and peaceful earth without arrogant, cruel, and hateful persons, without liars, slanderers, deceivers, and hypocrites, without atheists, agnostics, and fanatics of religions. The Creator KNOWS that in his own right time, he will let his Christ resurrect back to life all loving, kind, and respectful human beings who died even thousands of years ago like Abel, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, King David, the Christ's followers, and many others so that all loving, kind, and respectful human beings can happily and abundantly live and exist on earth forever as submissive and obedient citizens and subjects of the "Kingdom of God" or His Kingdom and fully enjoy his and his Christ's eternal love, kindness, goodness, generosities, compassions, favors, and blessings for eternity under the loving and kind rulership, guidance, and protection of his Chosen King and Ruler of the heavens and the earth, his Christ.

[@twitherspoon8954]

_"Christianity developed through times thereafter based on the interpretation of the writers and Paul..."_ Jesus is a fictional character. Paul created Christianity after the Daniel 9:25 prophesy expired unfulfilled.

[@Shytot-1]

What are the odds that Jesus was gay? Having lived and worked in Arab countries for many many years I know how hard it is for a person without money to afford a wife. To see Arab men holding hands was an everyday occurrence. When children didn't go to school and didn't move far, homosexuality was not a big deal, people who could read and write may have frowned on it and written about it, for the average worker who barely made enough money to feed themselves, things were a lot different. I know of cases where parents would blind their child so the child could at least beg.

[@jige1225]

What does Jesus have to do with arab countries ?

[@Shytot-1]

@@jige1225 What's in a name? 2000 years ago there were no Arabs, but people all looked like Arabs of today. Jesus was a Palestinian Jew.

[@dvargas1055]

Bart must have a chest full of sweaters! 😂

[@johncarroll772]

Does he live in a very cold climate 🤔

[@ColinWrubleski-eq5sh]

And Megan must spend a fortune on both eyewear (primarily) and hair dye (secondarily)!

[@wRAAh]

I smile at the thought that many people think "Yeah, right... my money is on Dan Brown" 🙂

[@muhammadmusa2671]

All I can say is "Thank you so much". Excellent facilitator Megan and of course Bart as always brilliant. To get this free weekly is such a huge sacrifice both of you are making.

[@christiner6000]

Ah, deadbeats then. 😉

[@grit5124]

My husband and I lived in Israel for a year. We lived in Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee for the first 6 months and traveled by Magdala many times. This is very interesting. Thanks for the great info.

[@goodtoGoNow1956]

15:00 Bart get it wrong there. Paul never declares that Peter found the empty tomb and ALL of the Gospels point to women -- Mary Magdalene being chief of those.

[@djitidjiti6703]

He didn't explore the reason why Magdalene discovered the resurrection - she was involved in dressing his dead body with his family, an incredibly intimate activity. Would love to hear his thoughts on that.

[@mrsmith3930]

I have a book in my library that suggest she was the niece of Joseph of Arimathia and that after the staged death of Jesus they made their way to England and lived their lives out here. The name Jesus Christ is a title we know Christ means the anointed one the name Jesus could only have came about within the last 500 years because the letter J does not exist in the Hebrew alphabet and did not appear in the English alphabet until 1629. The Gospel of Mary and the Gospel of Judas contradict each other because in both Gospels they both claim to be the special disciple that Jesus told secrets to, that the other disciples were not privy to. I am with Professor April Deconick in that she believes that Judas was really the Demiurge, meaning that Mary Magdala had to be the special apostle trusted with the secrets of the Kingdom because she was his wife. This mirrors the Gnostic teachings that the True God is androgynous the Unknowable Father and Barbelo give birth to Christos whom is the Logos and the Logos is sent on a rescue mission after the Aeon Sophia gives birth to the Demiurge who creates this fallen material dream world.

[@Sunny25611]

@@mrsmith3930 Jesus wasn’t his name. . He was Aramaic and Yeshua is as close to his name as is possible and even that is questionable.

[@tina-marielindzen128]

Yeshia didnt die on the cross it would have taken more thsn hours to die like that, he was believed to be dead when they got him down and close to but he was alive. There was no resurection the way the naritive is writen by men he and mary lived in india after and yes had children. Yeshua never said he would be back he christ would which is concousness and thats exactally whats happening right now an awakening of christ conciousness

[@TheComingKingdomOfYahweh]

​@@tina-marielindzen128Are you joking?

[@TheComingKingdomOfYahweh]

​@@tina-marielindzen128I'm pretty sure every historian who thinks Jesus existed believe that he died on the cross

[@lisadioguardi5742]

Dan Brown's historical information didn't improve with his later books. In one of his more recent books he wrote about science history, and dove head first into Draper White conflict thesis that was debunked about 100 years ago. But without accepting that as factual, the story would have been completely lost.

[@Robert_L_Peters]

I think Bart may overestimate the security that tenured faculty currently enjoy from being cancelled. Also, what are non-tenured faculty supposed to do?

[@cathykrueger4899]

Apparently Florida’s governor would completely do away with tenure.

[@Robert_L_Peters]

@@cathykrueger4899 interesting

[@curtdavenport7366]

It is my understanding that the students are cancelling professors, not so much faculty.

[@francesbrisco776]

Mary could have been his wife

[@Steve-u9k4p]

Yes, I agree

[@Aaron-cy7oo]

Jesus sure got mad at that olive tree for not being full of olives,, he must of either been hungry or desperately needed olives for some other purpose. My theory is that he was to meet mary m and was supposed to bring the oil and was fresh out 🤷 2000+ years later and man can still relate

[@Timehasfallenasleep]

Regarding the soapbox: I think faculty members know if they speak out, then they will be discriminated against - for example lose funding.. Also, if Bart really encouraged his students to think he would have presented his students with alternative interpretations of the Bible and Christianity instead of the black and white choice of Evangelical fundamentalism versus Empirical Scholarship. For example - why not have a podcast with Jungian Scholar David Tacey.

[@dougmorrow746]

Whether Mary was Jesus's wife or not, for some reason, Leonardo thought she was his wife or at least the mother of his child. And, while the da'Vinci Code is almost certainly wrong about all the Priory of Sion, Leo portrays "John" with the face of Mary (check out Mary's face in the "Virgin on the Roocks" and compare to "John's.") Beyond that, the "John" character is posed like a woman with the folded hands and tilted, downward facing head (just like Leo described when writing about how to paint a woman.) Lastly, the Mary/Jesus alignment is real and not an "accidental artifact" especially when you move Judas' neck and shoulder over to be cradled in Mary's arms. JC's view id down and to the baby, as are a number of other disciples. Better yet, that mysterious hand across the throat of the John/Mary figure now becomes a touch on the babies head... a sign of blessing. So whatever Leo thought or knew, it's a very good bet he painted the three (Mary/Jesus/Child) as a family.

[@jvlp2046]

Mary Magdalene was Christ Jesus' Spiritual Wife and not a literal Wife... Why?... for Christ Jesus is the Spiritual GROOM (Husband) and the CHURCH is the Spiritual BRIDE (Wife) which means UNITED as ONE, just like the Father (God) and the Son (Christ) with motherly, brotherly, and sisterly kind of LOVE applied called in Greek PHILIA, and not the Romantic/Sexual LOVE of EROS in Greek... Amen. All Christians (Male and Female) are the Spiritual Wife (Bride) of Christ Jesus who is the Spiritual GROOM (Husband)... Praise be to God in Christ... Amen and Amen.

[@dvklaveren]

This soapbox was actually very eye opening. It really is just saying "its not right that my ego is on the line". Which is fair enough, but if you're an academic, your ego is on the line. Knowledge and good argumentation will outlast your ego, so if your ego is too threatened, it must mean you think your arguments aren't good enough to be respected.

[@UnimatrixOne]

Big question: 29:35 Does "celibate" mean _free love_ without marriage or does it mean _no sex_ in the coming kingdom?

[@paganphil100]

@UnimatrixOne: It just means no sex.

[@paulwalker7371]

Repeat after me, "I am a being of provisional understanding".

[@rickycox6111]

Did Bart screw up the Ukraine story ?

[@punditgleamlandkhongsdir4850]

Christians in the West are leaving the Church, joining another religions and becoming atheists. Can you help me know the reasons why?

[@miltronix]

It's interesting that Dr Ehrman speaks of M M being from 'the town of Magdala' while Bishop Spong says there is/was no such place (and IIRC he therefore questions her identity...)

[@GODSPEAKS898]

Easy answer: NO ABSOLUTELY NOT!! The recent discovery and translation of the fourth-century "Jesus' wife papyrus" has reopened the discussion as to whether Jesus had a wife or was married. The "Jesus' wife papyrus" says, "Jesus said to them, 'My wife ...'" This discovery is interesting in that it is the first Gnostic writing to explicitly state that Jesus had a wife. While a couple of the Gnostic gospels mention Jesus having a close relationship with Mary Magdalene, none of them specifically state that Jesus was married to her or to anyone else. Ultimately, it does not matter what the "Jesus' wife papyrus" or Gnostic gospels say. THEY HAVE NO AUTHORITY PERIOD!! They have all been proven to be FORGERIES INVENTED TO CREATE A GNOSTIC VIEW OF JESUS CHRIST THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD. If Jesus had been married, THE BIBLE WOULD HAVE CLEARLY SAID SO, or there would be some unambiguous statement to that fact. Scripture would not be completely silent on such an important issue. The Bible mentions Jesus’ mother, adoptive father, half-brothers, and half-sisters. Why would it neglect to mention the fact that Jesus had a wife? Those who believe/teach that Jesus was married are doing so in an attempt to “HUMANIZE” Him, to make Him more ordinary, more like everyone else. People simply do not want to believe that Jesus was God in the flesh (John 1:1, 14; 10:30). So, they invent and believe myths about Jesus being married, having children, and being an ordinary human being. A secondary question would be, “Could Jesus Christ have been married?” There is nothing sinful about being married. There is nothing sinful about having sexual relations in marriage. So, yes, Jesus could have been married and still be the sinless Lamb of God and Savior of the world. At the same time, there is no biblical reason for Jesus to marry. That is not the point in this debate. Those who believe Jesus was married do not believe that He was sinless, or that He was the Messiah. GETTING MARRIED AND HAVING CHILDREN IS NOT WHY GOD SENT JESUS INTO THE WORLD!!! Mark 10:45 tells us WHY Jesus came, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be SERVED, BUT TO SERVE, AND TO GIVE HIS LIFE AS A RANSOM FOR MANY.” Do you want to learn about the true "wife" of Jesus Christ, The Son of God, and the Second Person of the Trinity? Here it is, THE CHURCH, THE BODY OF ALL BELIEVERS, MEANING ALL THOSE WHO HAVE REPENTED OF THEIR SIN AGAINST GOD AND WHO HAVE PUT THEIR TRUST IN AND BELIEVE INTO THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST IN ORDER TO BE SAVED FROM GOD’S COMING WRATH AND JUDGMENT ON THIS WORLD 🌎, AND IT IS COMING. THIS IS THE BIBLICAL TRUTH AND ANYTHING OUTSIDE OF THIS TRUTH IS UTTER NONSENSE AND BORDERLINE BLASPHEMY!!

[@christianmalone3495]

If Jesus were repudiating marriage, would we see the gospel of John as repudiating that version of Jesus' message? It would seem John's Jesus does not disapprove of marrying or being given in marriage when he performs a miracle to keep a wedding banquet going

[@berdeter]

Very interesting thing is that discussion about Jesus not really pushing people to get married. Strange to here that and compare it to the importance mariage has in catholic church today. That topic would be so interesting to cover.

[@normanwallace7658]

She was present at his death & the first to discover him Risen.She was also a woman of Independant means possibly the owner of a share fishing boat ?? (Many of the ones operating the System in Devon & Cornwall are Owned by Women ?? ) What we know shows her & christ to be very close, if you look at the church of Rome Both Peter & Constantine were Blatently mysonigistic as were the the Jewish Rabbis hence the attemp by those that formed the Dogmas of both Christianity & the Tora have done their best to besmirch her & Women in General??also I do believe under Rabinic law to teach in the Synagogue you had to be a Rabbi & be both Wed & have Offspring so just look up the teaching in the new testament & use your brain?? Doesn't Require a Phd !!

[@mentordepret757]

What about the Talpiot tomb where ossuaries of Jesus, Mary Magdalene and the son of Jesus were found?

[@ChristEnlightening]

I appreciate Dr. Bart’s work, but I don’t really agree with many of his claims on this topic, nor would I say that his argument is as sound as he thinks it to be. He seems to be leaving out many cultural points and oral traditions that relate to the matter in interesting ways. Furthermore, he never really has addressed in all of his years that the exact opposite claim has been made by scholars, not just modern conspiracy authors. As well, someone like Dr. Justin Sledge for example, who also loosely seems to hold the same view that there isn’t really any evidence that Jesus and Mary were ‘a thing’, but he still is at least willing to address all sides of the topic in a well- rounded and scholarly way. Pardon me for saying this, but, in light of noticing these types of things, and as many people seem to perceive it to be, well, Dr. Bart sort of just seems to let his own personal views get in the way of scholarly things, and I think probably more than he realizes or lets on. I was posit that this is the tragic flaw of most Professors, especially tenured ones, in the post modern era, particularly opinionated ones like Dr. Bart. Apologies for having to say that if you ever read this but it’s my honest feeling. I still would thank you for your work, I have learned a lot from it, it’s just that there are many, many different angles to see things from, and that’s really important to consider on all aspects of all topics, though, I do think the Dr somewhat redeemed himself here in this regard with the comment that someone could make the argument that the Magdalene started Christianity. I’ve heard it before, it’s actually indeed quite a compelling case that can be made. Anyway, thank you for reading this 🙏🏻

[@DenisDeCharmoy-fl3ht]

The letter J was only invented in 1524. The first English bible was the Geneva bible in 1583/4, with what names of people within this bible. BLESSINGS

[@dougietech]

I am curious about Dr. Ehrman's statement, the New Testiment say Peter was the first to discover that Jesus has risen. I can not find any reference to this anywhere.

[@rellyrelly619]

It is impossible for her to be the wife of Jesus, who is a high priest, because this violates the law in Leviticus 21:14 and Ezekiel 44:22. If his relationship was known as a legal or illegal relationship between the two, it would be contrary to the law. They would have exploited it against Jesus Christ, whom no one rebuked of his sin, neither during his life nor after his ascension. There is no context for the topic, and this is just talk in the air without any proof.

[@douglaidlaw740]

Did Jesus have anything to offer a wife? "Foxes have holes..." etc. Jesus's ministry is supposed to have lasted only about 3 years, ending with the traumatic Crucifixion, leaving his wife with most of her life in front of her, without him. To me, that doesn't sound like Christian love. Women had no status. The Wedding at Cana sounds too contrived. Jesus says that it isn't yet time for miracles, but Mary forces His hand. Later, there is conflict between them. The two on the road to Emmaus were husband and wife. They lived at the same address. The woman was Jesus's mother Mary, who had been widowed, and according to Jewish law, had married Cleopas. She is mentioned as present at the Crucifixion.

[@Mel-rj3tj]

Well I guess if liberal Bart wants to stay after we are gone, then so be it. Please serve well! We’ll cheer you on from the heavenly realms 🎉 There are saints who make it through the terrible tribulations. PS Jesus is alive!!! Repent and be baptized. Believe. Faith is a mustard seed. Jesus will make all of man’s “knowledge and wisdom” into foolishness (again). Jesus was the perfect sinless sacrifice, don’t be deceived by lies.

[@charlesiragui2473]

Bart is so wrong about self censorship. He claims that the censorship is fixed by tenure. Putting aside problems with those who have been threatened even having tenure (see Princeton), the hiring process is a crucial gatekeeper problem. The culture of free speech and inquiry depends on putting aside political views in hiring scholars. If anything, faculties should be actively seeking out an intellectually diverse group of scholars, who can stimulate debate even amongst themselves. The increasing imbalance of conservative/liberal academics is symptomatic of a deep problem of close-mindedness.

[@DenisDeCharmoy-fl3ht]

People can be the best author, honourable people on earth and the most important aspect is the Almighty's Truth. Where is the biography of the Messiah's life. (Jesus) This is not a GOSPEL but a biography of the Messiah life. Thru out the ages biographies have been a resource of truths, that have given us an understanding of yesteryear peoples lives. Blessings

[@jamesbreeden9016]

Jew is not a race but a spiritual title of someone who seeks inwardly for God. Romans 2:28-29. 28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

[@saulamarista3829]

Based in that logic. There are many Jesus. Jesus of Bethlehem. Also you find Jesus of Nazareth. If Jesus can be one who lived in different places. Why Mary can’t be one?

[@TimTrOn3000]

If you use the Bible to prove the Bible, you're at a logical fallacy. You can't use the word in the definition of the word. Simple logic. If you wanna prove the Bible you can't use the Bible. I prove 'this' by 'this'. 'And because of this, it's that".... its the stupidest argument, and it's the one most 'religious' people go to. Watching apologist for YEARS and no one has ever gotten past that simple logical fallacy. I make no claims, and I haven't seen good evidence of God, although I've seen a tremendous amount of bad claims. Never once have i seen a good positive claim for 'creator', yet I steep in oceans of bad evidence. I make no claim other than not being convinced. Give me proof and I'll make you famous

[@TheLucanicLord]

If someone had a child 2000 years ago their line would be pretty much everyone, in that region at least.

[@henriramonfosse]

How about Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene who had a dark complexion and had kids together. Maybe Jesus had a dark complexion. She washed Jesus feet because it is an Indian custom. I see a word correlation between Christ and Krishna. I could go on.

[@RustyJoe]

Sure it’s easy to misread references to kissing, but then I’ve not heard of any recent Messianic cult leader that did not have “special relationships” with particular members. 😏

[@tongakhan230]

The purpose of God's kingdom is to prove that humans cannot rule themselves. Jesus' followers will not try and prove God wrong by trying to change society. Their remaining single gives them more time to declare this good news without distractions. Under God's government of this earth, human will live fulfilling family lives. Jesus couldn't marry because he had to go back to heaven. Angels do not marry.

[@phillipstroll7385]

Instead of trying to price Jesus lived, if much prefer you prove Paul existed. After all, the library is attributed to him, not Jesus. So shouldn't one prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Paul actually existed? I've seen absolutely no evidence that Paul existed AT ALL.