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The Earliest Magdalene: Varied Portrayals In Early Gospel Narratives, Edmondo Lupieri

Theology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

In the early writings produced by the followers of Jesus, Mary Magdalene is connected with key events in the narrative regarding Jesus: his death on the cross, his burial, and his resurrection. At first sight, her figure seems to grow in importance through time. Her name and figure, indeed, are completely absent from the oldest extant texts written by a follower of Jesus, the authentic letters of Paul. This is particularly striking, since 1 Cor 15:5–8 contains the earliest known series of witnesses to the resurrection, but only men are named specifically.