Mary Magdalene was NOT a prostitute (Part Two)

Part 2

The actual sins committed by the unnamed woman in Chapter 7 were never referred to as sexual sins. The woman very well could have broken some other laws instead. Perhaps, she failed to observe the Law of Moses in one way or another. Maybe she ground her grain on the Sabbath or stole some food. It is possible the sins were sexual, but that would be total guesswork.

Regardless, the important thing is Luke himself distinguishes Mary from the sinful woman in Chapter 7. The story I cited in part one tells us that seven "demons" had gone out of Mary Magdalene, but says nothing at all about Mary's sexuality or any other sins. It is hard to see, therefore, how Mary and the sinful woman are the same.

Some have also said that the woman Jesus saved from adultery in John's Gospel was Mary. It was not. John also specifies Mary by name in his Gospel and yet the woman in that scene was also unnamed. This was not Magdalene either.

Moreover, we have no record of any Christian referring to Mary Magdalene as a prostitute until the SIXTH century. All four of the Gospels in the New Testament were written before the end of the first century.

In the late sixth century, the famous Pope Gregory I shared his thoughts on Mary, which would prove influential in painting the follower of Jesus of Nazareth as a repentant prostitute: "She whom Luke calls the sinful woman, whom John calls Mary, we believe to be the Mary from whom seven devils were ejected according to Mark. And what did these seven devils signify, if not all the vices?

It is clear, brothers, that the woman previously used the unguent to perfume her flesh in forbidden acts. What she therefore displayed more scandalously, she was now offering to God in a more praiseworthy manner. She had coveted with earthly eyes, but now through penitence these are consumed with tears."

Only after Gregory's interpretation of Mary's past life do writings and paintings of Mary as a repentant prostitute begin to show up in the records. after this, there are some famous paintings of Mary dressed provocatively or even topless. With Gregory's comments, her reputation began to change.


It is clear, therefore, that only through a misunderstanding (or possibly, an intentional act) by Gregory did this view became the dominant one of Mary.

Christians today should discard this false view of Mary and remember her for what the Bible tells us she was- a devout follower of Jesus Christ who was present not only at his crucifixion, but at the Resurrection. She obviously truly cared about Jesus. Surely, a woman of such importance deserves to be portrayed as such.


NOTE: Many who subscribe to the view of Mary Magdalene as a prostitute do in fact believe she was a good woman after Jesus' forgiveness. I realize how such a story of redemption could appeal to some Christians. Even a woman of many sins could become a follower of Jesus and this could be used as inspiration by sinners today. However, this view is not historically accurate.