What if the heart of Christianity was not control, but unitive wisdom? The Gospel of Mary Magdalene offers a vision the Church buried - and one we urgently need to reclaim.
Good Teacher, thank you very much for such a clear explanation of the Gospel of Mary. These are the missing pieces that bring Christianity to life. I’m so happy. 🌅
Brilliant! I look forward to following this deep dive as well. My study has been nudging me to re-imagine Mary Magdalene, as a towering icon that most of us were trained or duped into ignoring and in turn missing out… Just like the Stone rejected by the builders. Wisdom is so subtle! Thanks again for this remarkable article.
Awesome 👏🏼 Share Fred🌹I thought you might just like to know…Mary Magdalene is also known as “Our Lady of the Tower”🌹🌹You must’ve Intuitively Known😁Peace & All Good🕊️
I felt this in my bones. Years before MM entered my life I created Woman Fully Alive, asking what does it mean to be whole/holy/healed? She answered all my questions right here. Thank you.
When the Magdalene enters, the questions don’t vanish—they turn to fire. Whole, holy, healed becomes lived, breathed, embodied. Glad to see your sacred asking met her sacred answering.
Peter wasn't always in charge. Recent historians are painting a picture of medieval peasant life that shines with a unity of sacred and secular. Every church service was a community meeting, and every court session was a church service.
(From the Berlin Codex, only Chapters 4–8 are preserved)
[Chapter 4]
(Pages 1–6 are missing.)
"...Will matter then be destroyed or not?"
The Savior said, "Every nature, every modeled form, every creature exists in and with each other. They will be resolved again into their own roots. For the nature of matter is resolved into the roots of its own nature alone. The one who has ears to hear should hear."
Peter said to him, "Since you have explained everything to us, tell us this also: What is the sin of the world?"
The Savior said, "There is no sin, but it is you who make sin when you do the things that are like the nature of adultery, which is called sin. That is why the Good came into your midst, to the essence of every nature, in order to restore it to its root."
Then he continued and said, "This is why you become sick and die: because you love what deceives you. Let the one who understands understand."
"Materia gave birth to a passion that has no equal, which proceeded from something contrary to nature. Then there arises a disturbance in the whole body. That is why I said to you: ‘Be of good courage,’ and if you are discouraged, be encouraged in the presence of the different forms of nature. Let the one who has understanding among you understand."
"[…] The one who has ears to hear should hear."
When the Blessed One had said this, he greeted them all, saying, "Peace be with you. Receive my peace unto yourselves. Beware that no one lead you astray saying 'Lo here' or 'Lo there!' For the Son of Humanity is within you. Follow him. Those who seek him will find him. Go then and preach the gospel of the kingdom. Do not lay down any rules beyond what I appointed you, and do not give a law like the lawgiver, or else you might be dominated by it."
After he had said this, he departed from them.
[Chapter 5]
But they were distressed and wept greatly. They said, "How can we go out and preach the gospel about the kingdom of the Son of Humanity? If they did not spare him, how will they spare us?"
Then Mary stood up, greeted them all, and said to her brothers and sisters, "Do not weep and do not grieve nor be irresolute, for his grace will be with you and will shelter you. Rather we should praise his greatness, for he has prepared us and made us truly human."
When Mary said this, she turned their hearts to the Good, and they began to debate about the words of the Savior.
Peter said to Mary, "Sister, we know that the Savior loved you more than the rest of us. Tell us the words of the Savior that you remember, which you know but we do not, nor have we heard them."
Mary answered and said, "What is hidden from you I will proclaim to you."
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.' He answered and said to me, 'Blessed are you that you did not waver at the sight of me. For where the mind is, there is the treasure.'"
I said to him, "So now, Lord, does a person who sees a vision see it through the soul or through the spirit?"
The Savior answered and said, "A person does not see through the soul nor through the spirit, but the mind that is between the two—that is what sees the vision and it is what..."
(Pages 11–14 are missing.)
[Chapter 8]
"...it."
And Desire said, "I did not see you descend, but now I see you rise. Why do you lie, since you belong to me?"
The soul answered and said, "I saw you. You did not see me nor recognize me. I served you as a garment, and you did not know me."
When it said this, it went away rejoicing greatly.
Then it came to the third power, called Ignorance. It questioned the soul, saying, "Where are you going? In wickedness are you bound. But you are bound; do not judge!"
And the soul said, "Why do you judge me, though I have not judged? I was bound, though I have not bound. I was not recognized, but I have recognized that all is being dissolved, both the earthly and the heavenly."
When the soul had overcome the third power, it went upward and saw the fourth power, which took seven forms. The first form is darkness; the second, desire; the third, ignorance; the fourth, zeal for death; the fifth, the kingdom of the flesh; the sixth, the foolish wisdom of the flesh; the seventh, the wrathful wisdom. These are the seven powers of wrath.
They interrogated the soul, "Where are you coming from, human-killer, and where are you going, space-conqueror?"
The soul answered and said, "What has held me has been slain, and what turned me about has been overcome. My desire has been ended, and ignorance has died. In a world I was released from a world, and in a type from a type above, and from the chain of forgetfulness which exists in time. From this time on, I will attain to the rest of time, of the season, of the aeon, in silence."
After Mary said this, she was silent, since it was up to this point that the Savior had spoken with her.
[Chapter 9]
Andrew answered and said to the brothers and sisters, "Say what you wish to say about what she has said. I do not believe that the Savior said this. For certainly these teachings are strange ideas."
Peter answered and spoke concerning the same things. He questioned them about the Savior: "Did he really speak with a woman without our knowledge and not openly? Are we to turn about and all listen to her? Did he prefer her to us?"
Then Mary wept and said to Peter, "My brother Peter, what are you imagining? Do you think that I have thought up these things myself in my heart, or that I am lying about the Savior?"
Levi answered and said to Peter, "Peter, you have always been hot-tempered. Now I see you contending against the woman like the adversaries. But if the Savior made her worthy, who are you then for your part to reject her? Surely the Savior knows her very well. That is why he loved her more than us. Rather, let us be ashamed and put on the perfect Human, and separate as he commanded us and preach the gospel, not laying down any other rule or other law beyond what the Savior said."
After he said this, they began to go out to proclaim and to preach.
I'm happy that u have referenced Cynthia B's book on Magdalene. I had ordered Karen King's and it never arrived. Out of print maybe? Any look forward to reading and catching up.
I can’t love this enough. I’m familiar with Cynthia’s The Wisdom Jesus and I think I have her book on Mary which I need to locate and read! Yes yes yes. Somewhere in one of your posts I read Jesus response to the disciples questioning his favoring Mary and if had to do with her ability to truly see and understand his teaching…now I can’t find it.
I was so impressed with Cynthia’s wisdom—both in her books and videos—that I ended up picking up The Wisdom Jesus, The Luminous Gospels, and a few of Jean-Yves Leloup’s commentaries (which she speaks highly of).
And yes, the Gospels of Mary, Thomas, and Philip all include clear references to Jesus favoring Mary. Even the canonical gospels reflect this, especially when you consider that she was the first person he chose to reveal himself to after the resurrection.
There was something tho where he explains to the disciples that she has vision and can understand him. This to me is key. She has eyes to see and ears to hear and they do not.
Good Teacher, thank you very much for such a clear explanation of the Gospel of Mary. These are the missing pieces that bring Christianity to life. I’m so happy. 🌅
Brilliant! I look forward to following this deep dive as well. My study has been nudging me to re-imagine Mary Magdalene, as a towering icon that most of us were trained or duped into ignoring and in turn missing out… Just like the Stone rejected by the builders. Wisdom is so subtle! Thanks again for this remarkable article.
Awesome 👏🏼 Share Fred🌹I thought you might just like to know…Mary Magdalene is also known as “Our Lady of the Tower”🌹🌹You must’ve Intuitively Known😁Peace & All Good🕊️
I'm really enjoying this series. May we all become more fully human.
I felt this in my bones. Years before MM entered my life I created Woman Fully Alive, asking what does it mean to be whole/holy/healed? She answered all my questions right here. Thank you.
When the Magdalene enters, the questions don’t vanish—they turn to fire. Whole, holy, healed becomes lived, breathed, embodied. Glad to see your sacred asking met her sacred answering.
Virgin Monk Boy
Where do I begin? No not the theme to "Love Story" ....well maybe kinda...
The Gospel of Mary
The Meaning of Mary Magdalene by Cynthia Bourgeault
The Gospel of Mary Magadala by Karen L. King ......
Floundering in a sea of Marys & wondering where to begin (latecomer here).
So so grateful you're writing about her 💖
Cynthia is a master teacher of our beloved Mary Magdalene. Thank you for bringing her and MM front and center.
Cynthia’s writings truly channel Magdalene’s wisdom—clear, deep, and fiercely loving. Grateful to see her voice lifting Mary’s presence in our time.
Couldn’t agree more!
Peter wasn't always in charge. Recent historians are painting a picture of medieval peasant life that shines with a unity of sacred and secular. Every church service was a community meeting, and every court session was a church service.
https://polistrasmill.com/2025/06/09/cursed-weight-vs-sacred-weight-1-of-2/
I appreciate you addressing Mary Magdalene’s significance so thoroughly and I look forward to your continuing deep dive!
This was very insightful
Thank you!
Wow! What a wonderful breakdown! I’ve always wanted to read the gospel of Mary. Where would you suggest I go to read it?
The Gospel of Mary
(From the Berlin Codex, only Chapters 4–8 are preserved)
[Chapter 4]
(Pages 1–6 are missing.)
"...Will matter then be destroyed or not?"
The Savior said, "Every nature, every modeled form, every creature exists in and with each other. They will be resolved again into their own roots. For the nature of matter is resolved into the roots of its own nature alone. The one who has ears to hear should hear."
Peter said to him, "Since you have explained everything to us, tell us this also: What is the sin of the world?"
The Savior said, "There is no sin, but it is you who make sin when you do the things that are like the nature of adultery, which is called sin. That is why the Good came into your midst, to the essence of every nature, in order to restore it to its root."
Then he continued and said, "This is why you become sick and die: because you love what deceives you. Let the one who understands understand."
"Materia gave birth to a passion that has no equal, which proceeded from something contrary to nature. Then there arises a disturbance in the whole body. That is why I said to you: ‘Be of good courage,’ and if you are discouraged, be encouraged in the presence of the different forms of nature. Let the one who has understanding among you understand."
"[…] The one who has ears to hear should hear."
When the Blessed One had said this, he greeted them all, saying, "Peace be with you. Receive my peace unto yourselves. Beware that no one lead you astray saying 'Lo here' or 'Lo there!' For the Son of Humanity is within you. Follow him. Those who seek him will find him. Go then and preach the gospel of the kingdom. Do not lay down any rules beyond what I appointed you, and do not give a law like the lawgiver, or else you might be dominated by it."
After he had said this, he departed from them.
[Chapter 5]
But they were distressed and wept greatly. They said, "How can we go out and preach the gospel about the kingdom of the Son of Humanity? If they did not spare him, how will they spare us?"
Then Mary stood up, greeted them all, and said to her brothers and sisters, "Do not weep and do not grieve nor be irresolute, for his grace will be with you and will shelter you. Rather we should praise his greatness, for he has prepared us and made us truly human."
When Mary said this, she turned their hearts to the Good, and they began to debate about the words of the Savior.
Peter said to Mary, "Sister, we know that the Savior loved you more than the rest of us. Tell us the words of the Savior that you remember, which you know but we do not, nor have we heard them."
Mary answered and said, "What is hidden from you I will proclaim to you."
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.' He answered and said to me, 'Blessed are you that you did not waver at the sight of me. For where the mind is, there is the treasure.'"
I said to him, "So now, Lord, does a person who sees a vision see it through the soul or through the spirit?"
The Savior answered and said, "A person does not see through the soul nor through the spirit, but the mind that is between the two—that is what sees the vision and it is what..."
(Pages 11–14 are missing.)
[Chapter 8]
"...it."
And Desire said, "I did not see you descend, but now I see you rise. Why do you lie, since you belong to me?"
The soul answered and said, "I saw you. You did not see me nor recognize me. I served you as a garment, and you did not know me."
When it said this, it went away rejoicing greatly.
Then it came to the third power, called Ignorance. It questioned the soul, saying, "Where are you going? In wickedness are you bound. But you are bound; do not judge!"
And the soul said, "Why do you judge me, though I have not judged? I was bound, though I have not bound. I was not recognized, but I have recognized that all is being dissolved, both the earthly and the heavenly."
When the soul had overcome the third power, it went upward and saw the fourth power, which took seven forms. The first form is darkness; the second, desire; the third, ignorance; the fourth, zeal for death; the fifth, the kingdom of the flesh; the sixth, the foolish wisdom of the flesh; the seventh, the wrathful wisdom. These are the seven powers of wrath.
They interrogated the soul, "Where are you coming from, human-killer, and where are you going, space-conqueror?"
The soul answered and said, "What has held me has been slain, and what turned me about has been overcome. My desire has been ended, and ignorance has died. In a world I was released from a world, and in a type from a type above, and from the chain of forgetfulness which exists in time. From this time on, I will attain to the rest of time, of the season, of the aeon, in silence."
After Mary said this, she was silent, since it was up to this point that the Savior had spoken with her.
[Chapter 9]
Andrew answered and said to the brothers and sisters, "Say what you wish to say about what she has said. I do not believe that the Savior said this. For certainly these teachings are strange ideas."
Peter answered and spoke concerning the same things. He questioned them about the Savior: "Did he really speak with a woman without our knowledge and not openly? Are we to turn about and all listen to her? Did he prefer her to us?"
Then Mary wept and said to Peter, "My brother Peter, what are you imagining? Do you think that I have thought up these things myself in my heart, or that I am lying about the Savior?"
Levi answered and said to Peter, "Peter, you have always been hot-tempered. Now I see you contending against the woman like the adversaries. But if the Savior made her worthy, who are you then for your part to reject her? Surely the Savior knows her very well. That is why he loved her more than us. Rather, let us be ashamed and put on the perfect Human, and separate as he commanded us and preach the gospel, not laying down any other rule or other law beyond what the Savior said."
After he said this, they began to go out to proclaim and to preach.
This is incredible!! Thank you for sharing!!
Did you get this from a physical book? Like, is there a specific book I could buy that studies this?
That translation came from Karen Kings book
https://amzn.to/3GcHfaK
I also recommend The Meaning of Mary Magdalene: Discovering the Woman at the Heart of Christianity https://amzn.to/4etmbJW
So beautiful, thank you. I need to learn much more about her.
I'm happy that u have referenced Cynthia B's book on Magdalene. I had ordered Karen King's and it never arrived. Out of print maybe? Any look forward to reading and catching up.
Karen Kings is out of print, only used available through resellers. You can download the Pdf here
https://gnosis.study/library/%D0%93%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B7%D0%B8%D1%81/%D0%98%D1%81%D1%81%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%8F/ENG/King%20K.L.%20-%20The%20Gospel%20of%20Mary%20of%20Magdala.%20Jesus%20and%20the%20first%20woman%20apostle
Thanks for the link!!
You're welcome!
This Mary brings real meaning to the concept of Sweet Jesus.
I can’t love this enough. I’m familiar with Cynthia’s The Wisdom Jesus and I think I have her book on Mary which I need to locate and read! Yes yes yes. Somewhere in one of your posts I read Jesus response to the disciples questioning his favoring Mary and if had to do with her ability to truly see and understand his teaching…now I can’t find it.
I was so impressed with Cynthia’s wisdom—both in her books and videos—that I ended up picking up The Wisdom Jesus, The Luminous Gospels, and a few of Jean-Yves Leloup’s commentaries (which she speaks highly of).
And yes, the Gospels of Mary, Thomas, and Philip all include clear references to Jesus favoring Mary. Even the canonical gospels reflect this, especially when you consider that she was the first person he chose to reveal himself to after the resurrection.
There was something tho where he explains to the disciples that she has vision and can understand him. This to me is key. She has eyes to see and ears to hear and they do not.