Jesus, Married?

I am not surprised that in times like these, fraudulent and misleading artifacts, claims and information constantly surface to either try to validate or discredit the Scriptures.  It wasn’t that long ago, a box that was unearthed in Israel had an inscription that claimed to hold the remains of James, the brother of Jesus.  The initial announcement that a direct link to Jesus was found heightened the excitement among the Christian community. Later, it was discovered to be false.  Well, the Christian world is once again responding to a new finding, but this time it is not aligned with Biblical teachings.  If you are one that keeps up with the media world, you may have come across reports on a piece of ancient  artifact, in the form of a papyrus, that raised the question; did Jesus get married during His incarnate period on earth?  This claim of Jesus’ marriage to Mary Magdalene is nothing new.  The Gnostics, a heretic movement that found its footing during the 2nd and 3rd centuries, were the first to have made the claim that Jesus was married.  Well, the Gnostic were rightfully labeled as heretics, as their teachings were contrary to Biblical truth.  Their heretic teachings were especially dangerous because of the emphasis they placed on the polluted interpretation of the Gospels and the teachings of the nature of Jesus.

Let’s take a closer look at the questionable artifact. If fact, let’s look at the source, origin and period associated with this newly discovered ancient relic.  News reports state that the text on the papyrus was written in ancient Coptic language.  This gives further evidence that the writing was the production of a Gnostic sect or group living in the Northern Africa region where most scholars believe the sect originated.  Archeologists believe the artifact originated some time in the third century.  This is a very important fact to note as this was the most active and flourishing period of the Gnostic movement.

So this is what I have gathered so far:

1. The writing was most likely the work of the Gnostic sect whose teachings were contrary to the Biblical account, especially when pertaining to the nature of Christ.

2. The writing was produced more than a century after the authentic Gospels were written and after all the Apostles had moved on to their final resting places.

Media accounts have also highlighted some very interesting facts:

1. The artifact has in no way given any indication or factual evidence that Jesus was married or not married.

2. It is problematic as to where the artifact was kept or hidden all these centuries; the donor remain anonymous. This raises the question, “why?”.  The ecumenical community has been fleeced with fake artifacts like these many times throughout the centuries.

3. The most important authentication process has not yet yielded a result.  The carbon dating of the ink on the papyrus is still in the labs for testing.

Now, if the above information is not enough to convince you that the writing on the piece of papyrus is not an indicator of Jesus’ life on earth, then let look into the Scriptures.

First, let’s have a question and answer session before we go on.

Did the Bible mention that the relationship Jesus had with Mary Magdalene was anything other than a Priestly one?  NO!

Is there any mention or indication that Mary Magdalene was ever married or had gotten married to anyone?  NO!

Is there anything in the Gospels, Epistles or in Revelation stating or referencing to the fact that Jesus was married?  NO!

The Old Testament had many prophesies of the Messiah,  His lineage, His nature, and His ministry.  Was there any indication within these prophetic writings of a earthly Messianic wedding or marriage?  NO!

If you are still not convinced, then research the Scripture! Both the Old Testament and New Testament have clear teachings on how important the institution of marriage is to God and His plan for us.  Jesus taught about the importance of marriage and its Divine origins in the Gospels.  Matthew 19, Mark 10 and Luke 16 recorded Jesus teachings in regards to marriage.  At no time within these chapter did Jesus refer to Himself as an example of a married Man.  Jesus had always used Himself as a example to follow in order for us to experience life to the fullest.  The Apostle Paul taught us about the institution of marriage and it benefits.  In 1Corinthians 9:5, Paul defended his right to get married, referencing the married brothers of Jesus and Cephas as examples.  If Jesus were married, wouldn’t Paul have used Christ’s’ marriage as an example?  In 1Timothy 3, Paul also imparted advise to church Overseers and Deacons on demeanor, behavior and relationships to their wives and children.  Jesus is the head of the Church; would His behavior as a married man not serve as a great example for Paul to reference?  Again, never did Paul make any reference to Jesus being in a marriage or family setting.  If you are going to state claim that it was customary for Jewish men to get married, then I will have you research the prophets of the Old; many were not married.  John the Baptist, the most famous prophet of the New Testament and forerunner to Jesus, was not married.  There is no indication that Paul was married.  As a matter of fact, his advise for those who want to devote their life to the work of the Kingdom is that it would be better if they didn’t get married. This statement itself aligns itself to and supports the fact that Jesus was not involved in any relationship at that level.

So, we see here that there is nothing in Scripture that supports the claim that Jesus was ever married to Mary Magdalene or any other woman.  I do believe that this attack or distortion of the nature of Christ is more of a demonic scheme to confuse and deceive.  There is a coming marriage that Satan truly wants to disrupt, a promise that was prophesied by Jesus Himself, a promise that is set to be fulfilled on that Last Day.

Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.”. (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” (Revelation 19:7-9 NIV)

This is the prophesy and promise that I believe Satan is trying to cast a shadow on.  If he can get Christians to accept the misconstrued notion that Jesus was married, then this might raise some questions and cast doubts on this the most Glorious Day mentioned in Revelation 19.  How would the fact of an earthly marriage affect this Supernatural promise?  I can assure you, there would be controversy on whether this spiritual wedding would be valid if Jesus were married when He was on earth.   The Bible said that a man should leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife and the two become one.  Imagine the huge controversy that would arise out of this:  how could Jesus and the Father be one any more? The Trinity and Deity of Jesus is the single most important aspect of The Christ. Ponder this very carefully: if Mary Magdalene had indeed been married to Jesus, she would have become one flesh with Him. Right? Wouldn’t this, therefore also mean that she was one with the Father as well? And also one with the Holy Spirit? Or did Jesus renounce His oneness with the Father to become one with Mary Magdalene?  Then, what happened after the resurrection?  Did Jesus renounce His marriage bond with Mary to restitute His relation with God the Father? These are the sort of curve ball confusion Satan is constantly trying to create within the Body of Christ, again to confuse and discredit and pollute.

Now, back to the actual artifact: if the writing on this papyrus was of an orthodox origin (which is highly unlikely, because of its seemingly Gnostic connection), then the actual words Jesus said to them (the disciples), “My wife”‘, as written on the papyrus would actually be a reference to the Church and the Biblical ‘Bride of Christ’ as mentioned in Revelation. This is more consistent than not.

The Writings of the Bible are the infallible and complete Word of God.  As Christians, we must be careful we don’t find ourselves in situations and discussions that can cause distortion and generate a kind of Christ image that is contrary to Biblical teachings.  Why would we, who have learnt the Scriptures, cast doubt on its content because of a unproven piece of artifact that was produced some 200 + years after Jesus’ ascension?  Stay true to the nature of Christ and the Word of God.  Be an evangelist for Christ as we are instructed in the Scriptures.  Take nothing from it…add nothing to it…leave it be, for so we were warned:

For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and  from  the things which are written in this book.(Revelation 22:18, 19 NKJV)

I will also leave you with these words from Scripture:

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed, these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. (2 Peter 2:1-3 NIV)

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. (Revelation 22:17 NIV)

J R Tracey