Did you know that nowhere in the Bible does it state that Mary Magdelene was a prostitute?

Question

So why is this a commonly held belief amongst Christians (I am one, BTW)?

Onefinefellow...

I have studied the Bible for years, and read it in it's entirety at least three times. It's not in there. Can you show me a scripture?

deacon, how do you make the leap from seven demons to prostitute? Perhaps you should try reading it without the pre-conceived notions.

Answer 1

Christians hold lots of beliefs that are not in the Bible. The simple reason for that, is that for most of Christian history, the church itself, rather than the Bible, was considered authoritative.

To the poster above, you're the one who needs to read it. The OP is correct.

Answer 2

When Mary Magdelene was introduced in the Bible, she was a woman possessed by spirits, and Jesus exorcised them. There is another story in the same book about a woman described as a "sinner" and the context of the story indicates she violated some rule of sexual conduct.

I think part of the reason the stories were confused was because so many attributes of the "dying and resurrected god" in pre-Christian mythology (who represented the sun and agriculture) were attributed to Jesus many years later. That god was the son of the mother goddess (earth) when the seeds sprouted, and her consort when they were planted. He stayed underground for three days (germination).

In order to cast Jesus in the role of the sacred king (the man who became the human aspect of the god), there had to be a woman who represented the goddess. Mary Magdelene was cast in this role. This is part of the reason there were sects of Christianity who thought Mary Magdalene was the wife of Jesus.

Answer 3

Because it is another one of those "man-made" myths the Catholic Church is so fond of making.Such as the girl who danced for Herod and asked for John the baptist's head.Commonly known as Salome.It isn't in the Bible.Nor is Veronica who supposedly wiped Jesus' face with a cloth when he was carrying his cross.Or Christopher who helped Jesus and family cross a river or Anne,Mary's mother. All these names and occupations are "extra-Biblical'.Added many years later to extend the stories by the church and should be rejected.What we do about Mary M. is she had 7 demons cast out of her.

Answer 4

It was unfortunate for her that she is mentioned immediately after the story of the prostitute that Jesus saved from stoning. Later a Pope decided the stories were linked. Today it makes good theater.

Answer 5

Yes.

And a shocking number of Christians don't realize it was Mary of Bethany, sister of Lazarus who washed Jesus's feet in Luke, not Mary Magdalene.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AhHAM7Rhm3WL_OYGnd7tBk3ty6IX?qid=20070820160716AAcmVnU&show=7#profile-info-E8UiG7i6aa

Answer 6

she only had 7 demons casted out of her. she wasnt a prostitute luke8 verse2

with a thumb down i need at least a scripture to tell me i am wrong

Answer 7

You're right. The Catholic church even issued an official statement saying she's not. A lot of Christians are just ignorant of it.

Answer 8

Mary Magdalene.

Mark 16:9
Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

Answer 9

it is implied in the king james version of the bible yes, how ever and not many christians are going to like to here this but if you read the hebrew/greek version (the original) then it looks more like mary magdelene was the wife of jesus, the KJ version the bible seems to sweep a lot under the rug, which is A)very convieniant for the needs of the church and B)lets them get away with what they want

Answer 10

I know. But they had mistaken her for another Mary that was a prostitute.

I believe the Roman Catholic faith has recanted this statement.