圣经研究： 谁是Mary Magdalene？

抹大拉马利亚在我们主耶稣基督的故事和信徒的心中占有特殊的位置。 她是耶穌最忠誠的追隨者之一，並作為他的死亡，埋葬和復活的見證人扮演了關鍵角色。 福音书告诉我们，玛利亚抹大拉在十字架上，是最早在复活节早晨发现空坟墓的人之一（Cappadona，2023； Rachet，2014年）。

But Mary Magdalene was more than just a witness – she was a disciple, chosen by Christ himself. The Gospel of John recounts how she was the first person to see the risen Lord, and how Jesus entrusted her with the task of telling the other disciples about his resurrection(Cappadona, 2023). In this moment, Mary Magdalene became, as some of the Church Fathers have called her, the “apostle to the apostles.”

We must remember that in a time when women’s testimony was not valued in society, Jesus chose Mary Magdalene for this most important mission. This speaks volumes about Christ’s love and respect for all people, regardless of gender or social status. Mary Magdalene’s role reminds us that in God’s eyes, we are all equal and all have a part to play in spreading the Good News.

福音书还告诉我们，耶稣已经把七个恶魔从抹大拉的马利亚(Cappadona，2023)。 这种医治和解脱的经历对她来说一定是变革性的，导致她深深地献身于基督。 她的故事有力地提醒着上帝的怜悯和信仰的变革力量。

从那以后的几个世纪里，抹大拉的玛丽在天主教，东正教，圣公会和路德教传统中被尊为圣人(K. & O, 2018)。 她的节日在7月22日庆祝，许多教堂和宗教机构都以她的名字命名。

Let us be inspired by Mary Magdalene’s faithfulness, her courage in staying with Jesus even in his darkest hour, and her joy in proclaiming the resurrection. May we, like her, be eager to share the good news of Christ’s love and salvation with all we meet.

当我们考虑抹大拉玛利亚的背景和早期生活时，我们必须谦卑地接近，因为福音书为我们提供了有限的信息。 然而，即使在细节的稀缺中，我们也可以找到深刻的意义和灵感。

我们知道玛丽被称为"Magdalene"，这可能表明她来自一个名为Magdala的小镇(Cappadona，2023)。 这是加利利海西岸的一个渔村，在耶稣时代以其繁荣而闻名。 由此我们可以推断，玛丽来自一个熟悉贸易和各种影响的地区。

The Gospels do not speak of Mary Magdalene’s family or her life before meeting Jesus. This silence invites us to focus not on her past, but on her transformation through her encounter with Christ. It reminds us that in God’s eyes, our background does not determine our worth or our potential for holiness.

What we do know is that Mary Magdalene was afflicted by seven demons, from which Jesus freed her(Cappadona, 2023). This experience of profound healing must have been a turning point in her life. It speaks to us of the liberating power of Christ’s love, which can free us from our deepest struggles and afflictions.

Some traditions have conflated Mary Magdalene with other figures in the Gospels, such as Mary of Bethany or the unnamed sinful woman who anointed Jesus’ feet(Rachet, 2014). However, modern scholarship and Church teaching distinguish between these figures. We must be careful not to confuse Mary Magdalene’s identity or reduce her to stereotypes.

It’s important to note that nowhere in the Gospels is Mary Magdalene described as a prostitute(Rachet, 2014). This misconception, which arose later in Church history, has unfortunately overshadowed her true role as a faithful disciple and witness to the resurrection.

What emerges from the Gospel accounts is a picture of a woman who, having experienced Christ’s healing power, devoted herself wholeheartedly to following him. We see her as part of a group of women who supported Jesus and the disciples in their ministry(Wyche, 2017). This tells us that Mary Magdalene was a woman of means and generosity, using her resources to further the mission of Christ.

In reflecting on Mary Magdalene’s background, let us remember that God calls people from all walks of life to serve Him. Her story encourages us to look beyond societal labels and see the dignity in every person. It challenges us to be open to God’s transforming grace in our own lives, no matter where we come from or what burdens we carry.

灵魂第一次遇到基督的那一刻，总是一种深刻而变革的经历。 对于抹大拉马利亚来说，这次相遇同样重要，尽管福音书没有为我们提供他们第一次见面的详细描述。

What we do know, and what is of utmost importance, is that Jesus liberated Mary Magdalene from seven demons(Cappadona, 2023). The Gospel of Luke tells us, “Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out” (Luke 8:2). This healing was undoubtedly the defining moment in Mary’s relationship with Jesus.

We must pause here and reflect on the depth of this encounter. To be freed from seven demons suggests that Mary had been suffering greatly. Perhaps she had been ostracized from her community, burdened by physical or mental afflictions, or trapped in patterns of sin. In her distress, she met Jesus – or perhaps more accurately, Jesus met her in her need.

Imagine, if you will, the compassion in our Lord’s eyes as he looked upon Mary in her suffering. Picture the gentleness of his touch, the power of his words as he commanded the demons to leave her. This was not just a physical healing, but a restoration of Mary’s very dignity and identity as a beloved child of God.

We can surmise that this encounter left an indelible mark on Mary’s heart. From that moment on, she became one of Jesus’ most devoted followers. The Gospels tell us that she, along with other women, accompanied Jesus and the twelve apostles, supporting them out of their own means (Luke 8:1-3)(Wyche, 2017).

This detail is significant, my brothers and sisters. It shows us that Mary Magdalene’s response to Christ’s healing was one of gratitude and generosity. She did not simply receive the gift of healing and go on her way. Instead, she dedicated her life and resources to supporting Jesus’ ministry.

Mary Magdalene’s first encounter with Jesus reminds us of the transformative power of Christ’s love. It speaks to us of a God who seeks us out in our brokenness, who is not repelled by our afflictions or sins, but who comes to heal and restore us.

Moreover, it challenges us to consider our own response to God’s grace in our lives. Like Mary Magdalene, are we willing to leave behind our old ways of life and follow Jesus wholeheartedly? Are we ready to use our gifts and resources in service of the Gospel?

In the Catholic tradition, Mary Magdalene has long been venerated as a saint. She is honored as the “apostle to the apostles” for her role in announcing the resurrection to Jesus’ disciples(Cappadona, 2023). In 2016, Pope Francis elevated the liturgical celebration of St. Mary Magdalene from a memorial to a feast, emphasizing her importance in the Church’s life and mission(Brylak & Madajczak, 2023). This decision highlighted her role as the first witness to the resurrection and as a model of true and authentic evangelization.

The Orthodox Church also holds Mary Magdalene in high esteem, recognizing her as “equal to the apostles.” In Orthodox iconography, she is often depicted holding a red egg, symbolizing the resurrection, based on a tradition that she proclaimed Christ’s rising to the Roman emperor, turning an egg from white to red as a sign(K. & O, 2018).

Protestant denominations have varied in their approach to Mary Magdalene. While all recognize her biblical role, the degree of veneration differs. Many Protestant churches, particularly those emerging from the Reformation, were cautious about the veneration of saints, focusing instead on Mary Magdalene’s role as a biblical figure and example of faith.

圣公会和路德会的传统，保持一些天主教习俗，包括玛利亚抹大拉在他们的圣人的日历。 他们尊重她的节日，并认识到她在复活叙事中的重要性(K.＆O，2018)。

In more recent times, there has been a renewed interest in Mary Magdalene across denominations. Feminist theologians and scholars have highlighted her role as a leader among Jesus’ followers and have sought to reclaim her image from centuries of misinterpretation(Maunder, 2019).

It’s important to note that some misconceptions about Mary Magdalene have persisted across denominations. The erroneous identification of her as a reformed prostitute, which originated in a homily by Pope Gregory the Great in the 6th century, influenced Western Christian tradition for centuries(Rachet, 2014). However, modern scholarship and official Church teachings have worked to correct this misunderstanding.

In many contemporary Christian communities, there is a growing appreciation for Mary Magdalene’s role as a disciple, apostle, and witness. Her story is seen as an example of Christ’s radical inclusion and the dignity he bestowed on women in a patriarchal society.

Some denominations and theologians have also explored Mary Magdalene’s significance for women’s leadership in the Church. Her commissioning by the risen Christ to announce the resurrection has been seen as a model for women’s ministry(Maunder, 2019).

As we consider these various perspectives, let us remember that what unites us is far greater than what divides us. Across all traditions, Mary Magdalene stands as a witness to Christ’s resurrection, a model of faithful discipleship, and an example of God’s transforming love.

Perhaps the most persistent misconception is the identification of Mary Magdalene as a prostitute or a woman of ill repute(Rachet, 2014). This idea, which has no basis in Scripture, arose from a homily given by Pope Gregory the Great in the 6th century. In this homily, Gregory conflated Mary Magdalene with other women mentioned in the Gospels, including the unnamed sinful woman who anointed Jesus’ feet(Rachet, 2014). This misidentification took hold in Western Christian tradition and has been perpetuated in art, literature, and popular culture for centuries.

However, we must be clear: the Gospels do not describe Mary Magdalene as a prostitute or as a sinful woman. They present her as a faithful disciple from whom Jesus cast out seven demons(Cappadona, 2023). This healing speaks of God’s mercy and power, but it does not imply any specific sin on Mary’s part.

Another myth that has gained popularity in recent times is the idea that Mary Magdalene was Jesus’ wife or romantic partner. This notion, popularized by works of fiction like “The Da Vinci Code,” has no historical or biblical basis(Sponsler, 2006). While we affirm the dignity of marriage, we must also respect the witness of Scripture and tradition, which do not support this claim.

有些人也错误地将抹大拉玛利亚与福音书中提到的其他玛利亚联系起来，例如伯大尼的玛利亚（玛大和拉撒路的姐妹）。 虽然这些妇女都是耶稣的忠实门徒，但他们在福音叙事中是不同的个体(Rachet，2014)。

There have also been misconceptions about Mary Magdalene’s role among the disciples. Some have downplayed her importance, seeing her merely as a minor figure. Others have exaggerated her role, claiming she was an apostle on par with the Twelve. The truth, as often happens, lies between these extremes. Mary Magdalene was indeed a crucial witness to the resurrection and played a significant role in the early Christian community, but she was not one of the Twelve Apostles chosen by Jesus(Cappadona, 2023).

在20世紀發現的一些諾斯底經文中，抹大拉馬利亞被描繪成耶穌的秘密教導的接受者。 虽然这些文本在历史上很有趣，但它们与经典福音书不一致，也不被教会视为权威(Maunder，2019)。

My brothers and sisters, as we confront these myths and misconceptions, let us do so with a spirit of love for the truth and respect for Mary Magdalene’s true role as a disciple and witness. Let us be cautious about sensationalized claims and always return to the Gospels as our primary source for understanding her life and mission.

At the same time, let us not allow these misconceptions to overshadow the powerful witness of Mary Magdalene. She stands as a testament to Christ’s love for all people, his power to heal and transform lives, and the dignity he bestows on women as well as men.

The Gospels indeed suggest that Mary Magdalene had a unique and profound relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. While we must be cautious about speculating beyond what Scripture reveals, it is clear that Mary held a special place among Jesus’ followers.

福音告诉我们，抹大拉马利亚是几个在经济上支持耶稣和使徒的妇女之一（路加福音8:2-3）。 这表明她是一个有手段的女人，把她的资源奉献给基督的使命。 更重要的是，我们看到耶稣将她从七个恶魔中解放出来（路加福音8:2），这种经历肯定创造了一种深深的感激和奉献的纽带。

What truly sets Mary Magdalene apart is her prominent role at the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord. While many disciples fled, Mary remained at the foot of the cross (John 19:25). She was also among the first to visit the tomb on Easter morning and, most remarkably, became the first witness to the risen Christ (John 20:11-18). This privilege of being the “apostle to the apostles” speaks volumes about the trust and affection Jesus had for her.

Some apocryphal texts, such as the Gospel of Philip, suggest an even closer relationship, describing Mary as Jesus’ “companion” whom he often kissed(Verheyden, 2015). However, we must approach such texts with caution, as they were not accepted into the canon of Scripture and may reflect later theological developments or speculations.

What we can say with certainty is that Mary Magdalene was a devoted follower of Christ who remained faithful to him even in his darkest hour. Her courage, loyalty, and faith earned her a special place in Jesus’ ministry and in the early Church. While we should not romanticize their relationship, we can recognize that it was one of deep spiritual intimacy and mutual trust.

当谈到抹大拉玛丽的死亡时，我们必须承认，历史的确定性是我们所逃避的。 新约没有说明她后来的生死。 然而，几个世纪以来出现了各种传统，每一种都为她最后的日子提供了不同的视角。

最持久的传统之一，特别是在西方教会，认为玛利亚玛利亚在基督升天后前往法国南部。 根据这个说法，她带着一群基督徒来到马赛附近，包括拉撒路和玛莎(Fisk, n.d.)。 这一传统表明，玛丽在洞穴里度过了最后几年，据说她每天都被天使喂食（伯克，2023年）。 经过30年的忏悔和祈祷，她被认为是和平地死去的。

Another tradition, more prevalent in the Eastern Church, places Mary Magdalene’s later life in Ephesus, where she is said to have gone with the Virgin Mary and the apostle John. This account does not provide specific details about her death but implies that she remained an active part of the early Christian community until the end of her life.

一本引人入胜的文本被称为『抹大拉玛利亚的生活』，归因于9世纪的拉巴努斯毛鲁斯，但可能起源较早，提供了更详细的叙述。 这部作品描述了玛丽复活后的生活，包括她的讲道活动和奇迹。 根據這個記載，瑪麗死在以弗所，並被使徒約翰埋葬（伯克，2013）。

重要的是要注意，这些传统虽然被许多信徒所珍视，但却缺乏历史验证。 他们在后来的几个世纪中出现，因为社区试图纪念抹大拉的玛丽并声称与她的遗产有关。 这些故事的发展反映了玛丽对早期教会的深刻影响，以及信徒填补传记空白的愿望。

我们可以更肯定地说，抹大拉玛丽的影响远远超出了她的一生。 她作为复活的第一个见证人的角色使她成为信仰和奉献的象征。 许多早期基督教团体将她视为模范门徒，甚至作为特殊启示的来源，如马利亚福音(Ehrman & Plese, 2011)等经文所证明的那样。

2016年，教宗方济各将圣玛利亚的礼仪纪念碑提升为盛宴的尊严，认识到她作为『使徒使徒』的重要性。

虽然我们可能不知道玛利亚玛利亚死的确切情况，但我们可以肯定她生命的深远影响。 让我们关注的不是围绕她结束的传说，而是她的忠诚和她在宣扬复活的基督中的作用的例子。 愿她的见证激励我们成为福音的无所畏惧的宣讲者，准备与我们遇到的所有人分享复活的喜悦。

伪福音书提供了一个迷人的，但有时有争议的观点玛利亚抹大拉。 这些经文，虽然不是我们规范圣经的一部分，但提供了对在一些早期基督教社区传播的关于马利亚的不同观点的见解的见解。 我们必须敏锐地对待这些著作，认识到它们的历史价值，同时保持经典福音的首要地位。

在许多伪经文中，抹大拉的马利亚被描绘成一个与耶稣有着独特关系的杰出门徒。 例如，腓力福音将马利亚称为耶稣的"伴侣"，并指出他"比所有门徒更爱她"，并"经常亲吻她嘴"(Verheyden，2015)。 虽然我们不应该从字面上或耸人听闻地解释这一点，但它确实表明一些早期的基督徒认为马利亚与基督有特殊的亲密关系。

《马利亚福音》是另一个重要的伪经文，将抹大拉的玛利亚作为耶稣秘密教导的接受者。 在这项工作中，马利亚在耶稣离开后安慰门徒，并与他们分享她从主那里收到的异象（伯克，2013年）。 这种描绘强调了玛丽的精神洞察力，以及她作为教师的角色。 有趣的是，文本还描述了马利亚和一些男性门徒之间的冲突，特别是彼得，他们质疑耶稣是否会给一个女人特别启示（伯克，2013）。

Several other apocryphal writings, such as the Pistis Sophia, the Gospel of Thomas, and the Dialogue of the Savior, feature Mary Magdalene prominently. In these texts, she often asks insightful questions and demonstrates a deep understanding of Jesus’ teachings(Verheyden, 2015). This recurring theme suggests that some early Christian circles viewed Mary as a model of spiritual wisdom and discipleship.

It’s important to note that these apocryphal depictions of Mary Magdalene are not uniform. Some texts, like the Gospel of Thomas, contain seemingly contradictory views, at times praising Mary’s spiritual insight while also including statements that appear to diminish the role of women(Burke, 2013). This reflects the diverse and sometimes conflicting attitudes toward women’s leadership in early Christian communities.

The apocryphal gospels also tend to distinguish Mary Magdalene from other Marys mentioned in the New Testament, contrary to later traditions that conflated her with Mary of Bethany or the “sinful woman” who anointed Jesus(Burke, 2013). In these texts, Mary Magdalene has her own distinct identity as a close follower of Jesus and a witness to his resurrection.

虽然这些伪善的描绘很有趣，但我们必须记住，它们不具有与经典福音相同的权威。 它们反映了基督教思想的后期发展，并可能受到各种神学和文化因素的影响。 尽管如此，他们确实证明了抹大拉玛丽对早期基督教的重大影响，以及她被记住和尊敬的各种方式。

Let us appreciate these ancient texts for the light they shed on the early Church’s struggles and reflections. At the same time, let us remain grounded in the Gospel accounts, which present Mary Magdalene as a faithful disciple, a witness to the crucifixion, and the first to proclaim the resurrection. May her example of devotion and courage continue to inspire us in our own journey of faith.

首先，教会将抹大拉玛利亚视为『使徒的使徒』。 这个头衔承认她作为第一个复活的见证人和基督选择向其他门徒宣布这个光荣的消息的独特角色(Jacobovici，2014)。 2016年，我很高兴将她的礼仪纪念碑提升为盛宴的尊严，使她的庆祝活动与使徒们的庆祝活动相提并论。 这个决定反映了我们越来越认识到玛丽在教会生活中的重要性，以及她忠实的门徒的榜样。

教會確認抹大拉馬利亞是耶穌在地上事工期間的密切追隨者。 我们从圣经中知道，她是几个在经济上支持耶稣和使徒的妇女之一（路加福音8:2-3）。 更重要的是，我们承认她是一个被基督治愈和解放的女人，她从她身上赶走了七个恶魔(Mcbrien，2006)。 这种治愈和自由的经历成为她坚定不移地献身于我们的主的基础。

重要的是要注意，教会已经摆脱了长期以来认为玛利亚玛利亚是一个悔改的妓女的误解。 这种错误的观点，持续了几个世纪，是基于不同的福音记载的混合，并于1969年在礼仪日历改革期间正式搁置。 今天，我们介绍玛利亚抹大拉，因为她出现在福音书中： 一个忠实的门徒，见证基督的死和复活，以及勇气和奉献的典范。

教会认识到抹大拉玛利亚在基督的激情和复活的关键时刻的存在。 她站在十字架的脚下，当许多人逃离时表现出非凡的勇气(Fisk，n.d.)。 她是第一个在复活节早晨参观空坟墓的人，最重要的是，她是第一个遇到复活的基督并受他委托分享好消息的人。

虽然我们不接受一些伪经文或流行文学中发现的推测性主张，但教会确实承认抹大拉马利亚在耶稣的追随者中占有特殊地位。 她的忠诚，她在复活叙事中的作用，以及她从基督本人的委任都指向与我们的主的独特和深刻的关系。

近年来，教会一直试图突出抹大拉玛利亚作为教会女性模范的角色。 她的见证提醒我们，妇女从一开始就对基督徒社区的生活和使命做出了重要贡献。 抹大拉的玛利亚是勇敢的信仰，坚定不移的奉献，以及对所有信徒的传福音的呼吁，无论性别如何。

让我们从Mary Magdalene的例子中得到启发。 愿她的信仰、勇气和对基督的爱，鼓励我们做门徒。 让我们像她一样努力成为好消息的携带者，随时准备带着喜乐宣布基督复活了。 愿我们，通过她的代言，越来越接近我们的主耶稣基督，谁叫我们每个人的名字，就像他在第一个复活节早晨召唤玛利亚一样。

许多教会神父承认抹大拉玛利亚作为复活的第一个见证人的独特角色。 例如，圣奥古斯丁在基督的决定中看到了深远的意义，首先出现在玛丽亚身上。 他写道："主在复活时，首先向死亡来到世上的女人显现。" 在这美丽的反思中，奥古斯丁在夏娃和抹大拉玛利亚之间画出相似之处，看到玛丽与复活的基督相遇是堕落的逆转。

圣格雷戈里大帝，虽然有助于马利亚抹大拉与其他福音人物的不幸融合，尽管如此，强调她的重要性。 他称她为『使徒的使徒』，这个头衔突出了她在向其他门徒宣布复活方面的作用(Verheyden，2015)。 这个名称在我们对抹大拉玛丽意义的现代理解中变得越来越重要。

然而，重要的是要注意，格雷戈里也扮演了一个角色，长期误认为玛利亚是一个悔改的妓女。 在公元591年傳達的講道中，他結合了抹大拉的瑪利亞，伯大尼的瑪麗和未命名的罪惡女人的敘述，誰膏耶穌的腳(Fisk, n.d.)。 虽然这种混淆持续了几个世纪，但它并没有削弱父亲对玛丽的忠诚和她在复活账户中关键作用的认可。

一些东方教会神父，如圣约翰克里斯托姆，称赞抹大拉玛丽的勇气和奉献精神。 Chrysostom注意到她是如何留在坟墓，甚至门徒已经逃离，表明她对基督的巨大爱。 他在她的行为中看到了对所有信徒的坚忍和信仰的典范。

Hippolytus of Rome, writing in the early third century, referred to Mary Magdalene as “the apostle to the apostles” and emphasized her role in proclaiming the resurrection. This early use of the title underscores the importance the early Church placed on Mary’s witness.

It’s worth noting that some of the Church Fathers, reflecting the cultural norms of their time, struggled with the idea that Jesus would entrust such an important message to a woman. Yet, the fact that they grappled with this issue demonstrates the undeniable prominence of Mary Magdalene in the Gospel accounts.

In the apocryphal literature, which some Church Fathers were familiar with, Mary Magdalene often appears as a disciple who received special teachings from Jesus(Ehrman & Plese, 2011). While these texts were not considered authoritative, they reflect traditions about Mary’s close relationship with Christ that circulated in some early Christian communities.

As we consider the words of the Church Fathers about Mary Magdalene, let us appreciate their insights while also recognizing the limitations of their historical context. Their writings remind us of Mary’s enduring importance in Christian tradition. At the same time, we must be willing to correct misunderstandings that have arisen over the centuries, always seeking a fuller and more accurate appreciation of this great saint.