brrgilbert Messages: 282 Registered: December 2012 Location: Nampa, Idaho
Senior Member
From the previous "installment," you, the reader, should be aware, now, that there are things "couched, hidden, and concealed" in the written account of the Savior's life. I cannot begin to unravel and unwind, everything, just know that not all of the "threads" were concealed and that there is still a way to ferret out some pertinent information - regardless of attempts at concealment. It should be established that Mary's preeminent position as the "First Lady" of the Savior is unmistakable. This would have given her the "Law of Sarah" right if the Savior practiced polygamy. (See Section 132 to understand the implication of "The Law of Sarah.") What we will now examine has much to do with "tentatively" identifying the possibility of the Savior's other "spouses" and "offspring." To do so, we have to visit the account of that fateful last day of the Savior's "mortal" ministry.
Quote:
Matthew 27:
55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:
56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.
57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathæa, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:
58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.
59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
61And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.
1.) When you consider the "source" of the narrative that we have received and the preeminence of Mary, the Mother of Christ, with respect to that "source," it is highly unlikely that Mary Magdalene would have first mention in the account.
2.) Mary was a common name.
3.) This woman has children named James and Joses.*
4.) She is referenced as the "other" Mary. (Again, it is highly unlikely that this "other Mary" is Mary, the Mother of Jesus because of her status.)
*It is certainly true that Mary, the Mother of Jesus, had additional children of which two had the same names:
Quote:
Mark 6
3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
. . . and so we are compelled to glean more from the record:
Quote:
Mark 15:
40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the lessand of Joses, and Salome;
41 (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.
Mark, the Author of the Gospel, gives us a key of understanding that this "other Mary" is NOT the same Mary as the Mother of Jesus, because there is a differentiation given in who James is. Now, unless this other Mary is the wife of James the Greater, the brother of Jesus who is an Apostle, there is a possibility that this "other Mary" is, also, a spouse of the Savior. This would mean that the Savior's sons were named after His half-brothers. We will continue to look at evidence . . . which is not conclusive.
Quote:
Mark 15:
47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.
(Mary, the mother of James the Less AND Joses)
Quote:
Matthew 28:
1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
Quote:
Mark 16:
1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
In order to proceed, we can only follow the name of Joses in the record, "IF" it is the same Joses who is the brother to James the Less. We are presuming that it is and that James the Greater is James the Apostle. We find more information about Joses in a very interesting narrative, which merits examination:
Quote:
Acts 4:
36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
It is very interesting that the Apostles changed the "surname" of Joses for some odd reason. The "surname" means "The son of consolation." Why would this information make it into the record? Has it significance? Perhaps you are thinking the same thing that I have? . . . and so the narrative compels us to follow something about "Barnabas."
Quote:
Acts 14:
11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
13 Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.
In understanding the "gods" of the Romans, it is noteworthy to recognize that Barnabas is given "higher" status than Paul is. While Paul is identified with "Mercurius," the "messenger of the gods, Barnabas is identified with "Jupiter," the "father of Mercurius" and the "king" of the Roman god's. Did Paul identify Barnabas as the son of Jesus? You will have to determine that for yourself.
Certainly, therefore, it is entirely possible that Jesus was married to multiple wives with Mary Magdalene being the "First Lady." One of His spouses would/could have been Martha, Mary's sister, and, of course, the "other" Mary. He would/could have had children, as the evidence suggests.
"I must endure the presence of a few caterpillars if I wish to become acquainted with the butterflies."
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