Did Jesus really father a child by Mary Magdalene?

Answer 1

The fact is, there is no mention whatsoever in any historical writing or in any passage of Scripture of Christ ever having had a wife—at least not in the commonly understood sense. Jesus was, however, as the God of the Old Covenant, married to the nation of Israel—for Christ was the One who created all things (John 1:3, Eph. 3:9, Col. 1:16, Heb. 1:2, etc.), and “was made flesh” to dwell among men (John 1:1-14). Notice what God—the One who became Jesus—told Israel: “Turn, O backsliding children [of Israel] … for I am married unto you….” (Jer. 3:14)—and “your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is His name…” (Isa. 54:5). In time, however, because of Israel’s unfaithfulness, God was forced to “put her away” giving “her a bill of divorce” (Jer. 3:8).

Even while “separated” from Israel, Christ remained faithful in His marriage covenant, still bound by the law to Israel. According to Romans 7, “the woman who is married is bound by [the] law to the husband as long as he is living; but if the husband should die, she is released from the law that bound her to the husband” (verse 2)—and is free to remarry. Likewise, the husband is also released in death from his marriage to the woman. Thus, Christ was released through His own death from His marriage to Israel, making Him free to marry New Covenant “Israel”—the Church.

The apostle Paul said that he had “espoused” the Church to “one husband,” and looked forward to presenting her “as a chaste virgin to Christ” (II Cor. 11:2). He also wrote, “For this reason shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife; and the two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery; but I am speaking in respect to Christ and the church” (Eph. 5:31-32). Continuing in Romans 7, Paul says that Christians have been “made dead to the marriage law of the Old Covenant by the [sacrifice of the] body of Christ in order … to be married to another, Who was raised from the dead…” (verse 4).

Revelation 19:7-9 foretells of Christ’s future marriage to the Church at His return. “Let us be glad and shout with joy; and let us give glory to Him; for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready” (verse 7).

Clearly, Jesus was already married when He walked this earth as a human, and could never have married any woman, let alone Mary Magdalene. And even if Christ had been free to marry Mary Magdalene, it would have been impossible—for Jesus was already destined to marry the Church. Christ was always faithful to His Father’s will—remaining pure and sinless (II Cor. 5:21, I Pet. 2:22), “that the world might be saved through Him” (John 3:16-17).

Mary Magdalene is mentioned 12 times in the gospel accounts. The only thing we really know about her is that Christ cast seven demons out of her, that she faithfully followed Jesus, that she was involved in His burial, and that she was the first person to see the risen Christ. Popular claims that Mary was a prostitute are baseless speculation. It is worth noting, however, that if Mary had ever been married and was divorced or widowed—or if she simply was not a virgin—then Christ could never have married her. The reason is that Christ was called to be our heavenly High Priest (see Heb. 3:1; 4:14-15; 5:5, 10; 6:20; 8:1; 9:11, 25; and 10:21). According to Leviticus 21:13-14, the High Priest could only take a virgin as a wife—and God is bound by His own laws. This law, of course, is prophetic in nature, pointing to the fact that the Church will be “a chaste virgin” in her marriage to Christ (see II Cor. 11:2 and Rev. 14:4).

Another point to consider: Just before His death, Jesus made it clear that John, His closest disciple, was to care for His mother, Mary. “Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother.’ And from that time, the disciple took her into his own home” (John 19:26-27). This begs the question: If Christ had been married to Mary Magdalene, why did He not make similar arrangements for her (and their alleged child) to be cared for after His death? Obviously, the answer is that Jesus and Mary were never married.

Answer 2

Probably. The evidence is overwhelmingly strong that Christ lived a normal life up to his 30th birthday, when he became a Rabbi.

According to old Jewish tradition, you had to be married and 30 years old to become a Rabbi. Most Jewish men were married by the time they were 22 or 23, and it was expected that you begin having children within 2 to 3 years of marrying.

It is very likely that Jesus was both married and a father, and if we judge by the Bible, Mary Magdalene was the most likely candidate as His wife.

EDIT: Tienna, to have a child with your wife isn't a sin.

Answer 3

I seriously doubt it. The wife and child would have been mentioned in the Gospels. Also, when Jesus was on the cross He gave John the responsibility of looking after His mother. Had He been married He would have given the responsibility of caring for His wife and child to someone as well. Since He did not, He most likely did not have a wife and child.
The Gnostic's were a group the apostles warned against. They changed the message of from free salvation and knowing God to one of mysticism. They tried to change the word into secrets and hidden meanings. Of course they would want to believe in a family. It would make the whole thing more about bloodline and magic than God.

Answer 4

i feel that he did after all Jesus was just a man and suffered from all of mans ills. i know what your saying "he is the son of god" but think about it he was also the son of Mary who as far as everyone keeps preaching was human chosen by god. he had the abilities to perform certain miracles but in the end had no super power to protect himself from ridicule and hatred as well as death. his body died just like a human. Jesus was a man and lived on earth like a man. therefore shared the same desires as any man to have a family and see his bloodline continue on. besides think about wouldn't god want to see his grandchildren. i personally believe that when the second coming is here it will be a fame child of Jesus bloodline that will come.

and as for the others who relay soley on the bible as truth remember the bible was interpreted by the Catholic church who way back then was more concerned with peasant control with the fear of god then it was the truth. the bible was interpreted by man their for it couldn't be wrong after all men do not lie, right?

Answer 5

It depends on what version of Christianity you choose to follow, the Gnostic Gospels say Jesus was the husband of Mary Magdalene and they had a daughter. The daughter being the true bloodline of jesus, and supposedly, the bloodline of jesus SHOULD be tracable today, meaning by the Gnostic Gospels, someone is the decendant of Jesus who lives today. But of course, Jesus never existed.

Answer 6

There isn't anyone on this site that can answer your question, but I'll ask Him when I get there. To speculate, I'd say no, because there is no record of it, anywhere.
You do know that the devil is the father of all lies, don't you?

Answer 7

No one knows the answer to that for sure. It is likely he was married in his life but to whom and did he have kids is not known.

Answer 8

at least two--a son named judah and a daughter named sarah

Answer 9

No. The evidence is overwhelming against such a conclusion.

Answer 10

No. He never married and He never had children. That's just a lie people are trying to spread to destroy Christianity.