Mary Magdalene - harlot ?

Question

I'm writing an essay about women in the bible & I'm having problems finding the text that describes Mary Magdalene as a prostitute.

Could anybody point me in the right direction please ?

Answer 1

The Bible does not say. It does say that Jesus freed her from the posession of 3 demons.

Answer 2

There's a REASON you're having problems:  it doesn't exist.  There is the story of Mary Magdalene, and there is the story of "the woman at the well," who WAS a prostitute (or at least had been unfaithful).  The Catholic Church "fused" the two around the 5th century, for unknown reasons, but one has nothing to do with the other.

Answer 3

She wasn't a prostitute.  She's been portrayed as one because of issues the early church "fathers" had.  

Answer 4

Mary was a wonderful and powerful woman. She was not a prostitute.

Answer 5

the myth of her being a prostitute they think came about because just prior to her being mentioned by name, there was an encounter with a prostitute whho kissed Jesus feet and while his disciples said: shes a harlot, don't touch her master, Jesus said: she's honoured me more than you have, and for that she's loved - to her he said: your sins are forgiven, be in peace.  2 verses later, i nthe next chapter, Mary's mentioned as being a follower - one of the first females who followed, afeter Jesus cast 7 demons out of her.  Here's the text.  She was not a prostitute, its just a myth.

Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman

36Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."

40Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."

      "Tell me, teacher," he said.

41"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[a] and the other fifty. 42Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"

43Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."

      "You have judged correctly," Jesus said.

44Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

48Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

49The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"

50Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

Luke 8

1After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

EDIT: you missed the point of the myth - they weren't putting her down - they believed that's who the woman was - the church of the 5th century when this idea came up was Catholic as Protestants weren't around yet - they still have Mary Magdelene convents and schools honouring her.  It was about sins being forgiven - they weren't putting her down anymore than they would be putting down a sick person who Jesus healed.  Now, ask yourself why you think that the church is God and how you can logically work out that even if they had been putting her down, this would equate God's position on the matter?  It's a bit cart before the horse to say that what man says is right or wrong makes God say it's right or wrong.  You dig?

Answer 6

http://www.geocities.com/psychohistory20...

this was a Google search on "Mary magdalene as harlot"

you could have done that eh?

Answer 7

It is not there.  Mary Magdalene was declared a harlot by the church in the middle ages.  

Answer 8

The church, being predominantly a male orientated institution would find strong woman threatening..hence her vilification probably. Whats the problem with harlots anyhow?  Valuable members of society and always have been. Have never understood why prostitutes are looked down upon.  

Answer 9

It isn't in the Bible.  All it says about her is that Jesus cast seven demons out of her, and she became one of His disciples (though not one of the twelve).  It never says she was a prostitute.

I'll get some verses for you, hang on.

Edit:  Try Mark 16:9 (though the earliest manuscripts of Mark don't contain verses 9-20).

Mary Magdalene is described as having been present at Jesus' crucifixion (Matthew 27:55, Mark 15:40, John 19:25), and having been among the women who went to Jesus' tomb the day after the Sabbath (Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:1, Luke 24, John 20:1).  She delivered the news of the resurrection in John 20.  It's thought she was also among the women at Pentecost, though she wasn't named directly (Acts 1).

Answer 10

Mary was a good woman, she promised Jesus

she would sin no more.

Answer 11

mary magdalene is mentioned in the following scriptures

matt 15:30 27:57Mar 16:1 Luke 8:2 john 20:18

try one of these to learn about her

however ther is no reason to assume she is the same mary in luke the 1 at the well who was a prostitute in fact mary magdalene is described as a woman of means meaning she had the means to support herself it is believed she was perhaps a widow who inherited from he r hubby

Answer 12

No BIblical evidence

Answer 13

she was not a prostitute.

the bible was written by the romans.

you are in the wrong direction my friend.

during those times/years the romans control most of europe and the mid-east. any country who wins a war writes the history. they can twist the story.  the bible is just a history book. made by romans.

mary magdalene was a fine woman. she was jesus' companion. in jews the word companion means  wife. let your wisdom teach/guide you

Answer 14

Why don't you write one about Lois Lane as well!

Answer 15

Very good, most ingenious!  Now, let me cut in.  How many of you got this idea outside of Dan Brown's book?

Answer 16

I recently read that she is not described specifically as a prostitute anywhere in the Bible; that this is a myth that comes from the misinterpration of the meaning of the actual text.  

Answer 17

3 demons, 7 demons, which is it?  Man even Christians can't get their stories straight.  I believe Jesus and Mary Magdalene may have been married, possibly with children, at the very least they were in love.

All women were considered harlots back then.

Answer 18

No, she wasn't. There are several Marys as well as other women mentioned in the bible. Here is info about Mary Magdalene:

Mary Magdalene. Her distinguishing name (meaning “Of (Belonging to) Magdala”) likely stems from the town of Magdala on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee about halfway between Capernaum and Tiberias. There is no record of Jesus’ ever visiting this town, though he spent a great deal of time in the surrounding area. Nor is it certain that it was Mary’s hometown or place of residence. Since Luke refers to her as “Mary the so-called Magdalene,” some think he implies something special or peculiar.—Lu 8:2.

Jesus expelled seven demons from Mary Magdalene, reason enough for her to put faith in him as the Messiah and for her to back up such faith with outstanding works of devotion and service. She is first mentioned in the account of Jesus’ second year of preaching, when he and his apostles were “journeying from city to city and from village to village, preaching and declaring the good news of the kingdom of God.” Together with Joanna the wife of Herod’s man in charge, Susanna, and other women, Mary Magdalene continued ministering to the needs of Jesus and his apostles out of her own belongings.—Lu 8:1-3.

The most prominent notice of Mary Magdalene is in connection with the death and resurrection of Jesus. When Jesus, as the Lamb of God, was led to the slaughter, she was among the women “who had accompanied Jesus from Galilee to minister to him” and were “viewing from a distance” as Jesus hung on the torture stake. In her company were Jesus’ mother Mary, Salome, and also “the other Mary”.—Mt 27:55, 56, 61; Mr 15:40; Joh 19:25.

After Jesus’ burial, Mary Magdalene and other women went to prepare spices and perfumed oil before the Sabbath began at sundown. Then following the Sabbath, at the break of dawn, on the first day of the week, Mary and the other women brought the perfumed oil to the tomb. (Mt 28:1; Mr 15:47; 16:1, 2; Lu 23:55, 56; 24:1) When Mary saw the tomb was open and apparently empty, she rushed off to tell the startling news to Peter and John, who ran to the tomb. (Joh 20:1-4) By the time Mary got back to the tomb, Peter and John had left, and it was now that she checked inside and was stunned at seeing two angels in white. Then she turned back and saw Jesus standing. Thinking him to be the gardener, she asked where the body was, that she might care for it. When he replied “Mary!” his identity was immediately revealed to her and she impulsively embraced him, exclaiming, “Rab·bo′ni!” But there was no time now for expressions of earthly affection. Jesus would be with them only a short time. Mary must hasten to inform the other disciples of his resurrection and that Jesus was ascending, as he said, “to my Father and your Father and to my God and your God.”—Joh 20:11-18.

Here is info about “The other Mary.” She was the wife of Clopas (Alphaeus) and the mother of James the Less and Joses. (Mt 27:56, 61; Joh 19:25) Tradition, though without any Scriptural support, says that Clopas and Joseph, the adoptive father of Jesus, were brothers. If true, that would make this Mary Jesus’ aunt, and her sons his cousins.

Mary was not only among the women “who had accompanied Jesus from Galilee to minister to him” but was also one who witnessed his impalement. (Mt 27:55; Mr 15:40, 41) Together with Mary Magdalene, she lingered outside his tomb that bitter afternoon, Nisan 14. (Mt 27:61) On the third day, the two of them and others came to the tomb with spices and perfumed oil for the purpose of rubbing the body of Jesus and, to their alarm, found the tomb open. An angel explained that Christ had risen from the dead, hence he commanded, “Go, tell his disciples.” (Mt 28:1-7; Mr 16:1-7; Lu 24:1-10) While they were on their way, the resurrected Jesus appeared to this Mary and the others.—Mt 28:8, 9.

Here's info about Mary the mother of John Mark. She was also the aunt of Barnabas. (Ac 12:12; Col 4:10) Her home was used for a meeting place by the early Christian congregation in Jerusalem. Her son Mark was closely associated with the apostle Peter, who evidently had much to do with Mark’s spiritual growth, for Peter speaks of him as “Mark my son.” (1Pe 5:13) Peter, upon release from Herod’s prison, came directly to her home “where quite a few were gathered together and praying.” The house must have been of considerable size, and the presence of a servant girl suggests that Mary was a woman of means. (Ac 12:12-17) Since it was referred to as her home, and not her husband’s, she probably was a widow.—Ac 12:12.

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Mary’s anointing of Jesus, as reported by Matthew, Mark, and John, should not be confused with the anointing mentioned in Luke 7:36-50. The two events have some similarities, yet there are differences. The earlier anointing was by an unnamed woman publicly known to be “a sinner,” probably a prostit

Answer 19

Mary Magdalene was a Saint.