One of the most notable things about this text might just be the lack of text. Found in 1896 and published in 1955. It contains six pages that force us to rethink the nature of Jesus and the apostles’ faith in his teachings. As well as Mary’s place in not just Jesus’ teachings, but the holy text itself.
This passage clarifies that early Christian communities had different perceptions of Jesus and his teachings. Each is valued differently within each specific community. There was no shortage of controversy in other lost passages of the period. So was The Gospel of Mary just forgotten over time or repressed because of controversial ideas of the leadership of a woman close with to The Savior?
Thinking about the reasons for controversy, we can look no further than Mary herself. Even Pope Gregory the Great went as far as to condemn her as a sinner in his 23rd homily1 But others view her as a feminist icon, seeing the proof of her leadership in the central role she plays in the Gospels and this text, and the conflict and hostility stemming from the fact that the disciples didn’t connect with Jesus the same way she did.
Since its publishing in 1955, historians have hoped that the remaining pages will be discovered. Today Mary remains a controversial figure, allowing us to question the role of women in the stories lost to history as well as the ones told today.
- “The Real Reason Mary Magdalene Is Such a Controversial Figure” TIME, accessed August 29, 2022, https://time.com/5210705/mary-magdalene-controversial/
