Library/New Testament apocrypha
Gospel of Mary
Mary Magdalene recounts a vision of the soul’s ascent past hostile powers. Peter and Andrew doubt; Levi defends her. The manuscript is broken in the middle, which is almost too fitting.
- Status
- New Testament apocryphon
- Date
- 2nd century CE
- Languages
- Coptic · Greek fragments
- Setting
- A post-resurrection circle arguing about Mary’s vision
What it contains
- Dialogue with the Savior
- Mary’s vision (fragmentary)
- The dispute
Why it sits outside most canons
Gnostic ascent, a female privileged seer, no institutional use.
Themes
- Ascent
- Powers
- Authority of Mary
- Soul
Passages
Gos. Mary 10
The soul answered, ‘Why do you judge me, though I have not judged? I was bound, though I have not bound.’