Mary Magdalene

Christian Alexander

What is a good biography on Mary Magdalene? I am looking for one that covers the life of Jesus in a trinitarian nature. I have to write a paper that shows Mary Magdalene is represented there as a counter-heroine in trinitarian nature. The paper must include an outline and examination of her early canonical and non-canonical appearances. Then it must investigate how evangelical scholars have interpreted her nature and role.

MJ. Smith

I refuse to provide lists for a predefined conclusion so I ignored the counter-heroine aspect of your question. I again am providing lists from free AI chat bots to illustrate why you should try using them to get you going on topics such as this:

Here is a list of ancient literature that features or mentions Mary Magdalene:

1. Canonical New Testament

   • The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) where she is mentioned as one of the followers of Jesus and a witness to his crucifixion and resurrection.

2. Gospel of Mary (Gospel of Mary Magdalene)

   • Estimated Date: early 2nd century AD
   • Language: Coptic (possibly originally in Greek)
   • This text, attributed to Mary Magdalene, contains teachings and conversations between her and the other disciples of Jesus. It is one of the Gnostic texts.

3. Gospel of Philip

   • Estimated Date: 3rd century AD
   • Language: Coptic
   • This Gnostic text mentions Mary Magdalene several times and portrays her as having a close relationship with Jesus.

4. Gospel of Thomas

   • Estimated Date: early to mid 2nd century AD
   • Language: possibly Greek, but found in Coptic
   • This Gnostic gospel includes sayings attributed to Jesus. Mary Magdalene is mentioned in it.

5. Pistis Sophia

   • Estimated Date: 3rd to 4th century AD
   • Language: Coptic
   • A Gnostic text in which Mary Magdalene is prominently featured as one of the disciples of Jesus. She is portrayed as insightful and plays a major role in the dialogues contained in the text.

6. Dialogue of the Savior

   • Estimated Date: mid to late 2nd century AD
   • Language: Coptic
   • Another Gnostic text where Mary Magdalene is one of the interlocutors with Jesus.

7. Acts of Philip

   • Estimated Date: 4th century AD
   • Language: Greek
   • An apocryphal acts which features Mary Magdalene briefly as a companion of Philip.

8. Gospel of the Egyptians

   • Estimated Date: 2nd century AD
   • Language: Coptic (possibly originally in Greek)
   • A Sethian Gnostic text which briefly mentions Mary Magdalene.

9. Gospel of the Hebrews

• Estimated Date: early 2nd century AD
• Language: possibly Aramaic or Greek
• This is a lost text, known only through the writings of the early church fathers, and is said to mention Mary Magdalene.

and for studies rather than source texts:

here are some relatively recent books on Mary Magdalene in the context of biblical studies. Please note that there might be newer publications beyond 2021 that I am not aware of:

1. "Mary Magdalene Revealed: The First Apostle, Her Feminist Gospel & the Christianity We Haven’t Tried Yet" by Meggan Watterson

   • Publication Date: 2019
   • This book explores the Gospel of Mary and presents a perspective on Mary Magdalene as a feminist figure and a prominent apostle.

2. "The Meaning of Mary Magdalene: Discovering the Woman at the Heart of Christianity" by Cynthia Bourgeault

   • Publication Date: 2010
   • Cynthia Bourgeault examines the Bible, as well as Christian history and mythology, to build a new portrait of Mary Magdalene as an important figure in the early Christian movement.

3. "Mary Magdalene: A Biography" by Bruce Chilton

   • Publication Date: 2006
   • The book uses ancient texts, including those from the Nag Hammadi to present a scholarly biography of Mary Magdalene and the cultural contexts in which she lived.

4. "The Gospel of Mary Magdalene" by Jean-Yves Leloup

   • Publication Date: 2002
   • This book contains a translation and interpretation of the Gospel of Mary. It explores Christian Gnosticism and provides insight into Mary Magdalene’s role within Gnostic Christianity.

5. "Mary Magdalene: The Essential History" by Susan Haskins

   • Publication Date: 2005 (Revised edition; originally published in 1993)
   • Haskins examines how Mary Magdalene has been represented throughout Christian history and aims to separate myth from fact.

6. "Mary Magdalene: A Biography" by Esther A. De Boer

   • Publication Date: 2005
   • This book delves into Mary Magdalene’s role as a disciple of Jesus, using biblical and Gnostic sources.

7. "The Case for Jesus: The Biblical and Historical Evidence for Christ" by Brant Pitre

   • Publication Date: 2016
   • While not exclusively about Mary Magdalene, this book deals with the historical Jesus and engages with topics about Mary Magdalene and her role among the disciples.

8. "The Lost Gospel of Mary: The Mother of Jesus in Three Ancient Texts" by Frederica Mathewes-Green

   • Publication Date: 2007
   • Though primarily focused on Mary, the mother of Jesus, this book also addresses Mary Magdalene and her role in early Christian texts.

9. "The Gospels of Mary: The Secret Tradition of Mary Magdalene, the Companion of Jesus" by Marvin W. Meyer, Esther A. De Boer

   • Publication Date: 2004
   • This book features translations of early Christian texts related to Mary Magdalene, with commentary and analysis.