The Gospel of Mary Magdalene

As preserved in the Berlin Codex, 5th century Coptic text — translated from Greek)

Scroll I: Mary’s Vision and the Hidden Teachings of the Savior

[Fragment Begins – Page 7]

“…Will matter then be destroyed or not?”

The Savior said:

“All nature, all formations, all creatures exist in and with each other,

and they will be resolved again into their own roots.

For the nature of matter is resolved into the roots of its own nature alone.

He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Peter said to him:

“Since you have explained everything to us, tell us this also:

What is the sin of the world?”

The Savior said:

“There is no sin, but it is you who make sin when you do the things that are like the nature of adultery,

which is called sin.

That is why the Good came into your midst — to the essence of every nature,

to restore it to its root.”

Then he continued and said:

“This is why you become sick and die — because you love what deceives you.

He who has understanding, let him understand.”

“Matter gave birth to a passion that has no equal,

which proceeded from something contrary to nature.

Then there arises a disturbance in its whole body.

That is why I said to you: Be in harmony.

If you are out of balance, take inspiration from manifestations of your true nature.

He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

When the Blessed One had said this, he greeted them all, saying:

“Peace be with you. Receive my peace unto yourselves.

Beware that no one lead you astray saying,

‘Lo here!’ or ‘Lo there!’

For the Son of Man is within you.

Follow him.

Those who seek him will find him.

Go then and preach the gospel of the Kingdom.

Do not lay down any rule beyond what I appointed for you,

and do not give a law like the lawgiver, lest you be confined by it.”

When he had said this, he departed.

[Pages 8–10 — MISSING]

Here, Mary is said to recount a vision she had of the Savior — a private revelation shared only with her. The disciples ask her to share what the Savior told her in secret. The surviving portion begins again as she speaks:

[Fragment Continues – Page 11]

Mary said:

“I saw the Lord in a vision, and I said to him,

‘Lord, I saw you today in a vision.’

He answered and said to me:

‘Blessed are you that you did not waver at the sight of me.

For where the mind is, there is the treasure.’”

I said to him:

“So now, Lord, does a person who sees a vision see it through the soul or through the spirit?”

The Savior answered and said:

“A person does not see with the soul or with the spirit,

but the mind which is between the two — that is what sees the vision…”

[Pages 12–14 — Fragmented: The Ascent of the Soul]

“And Desire said, ‘I did not see you descend,

but now I see you ascending. Why do you lie,

since you belong to me?’

The soul answered and said, ’I saw you.

You did not see me nor recognize me.

I served you as a garment, and you did not know me.’”

When the soul had said this, it left rejoicing greatly.

Then it came to the third Power, which is called Ignorance.

[The Power] examined the soul closely, saying:

“Where are you going?

You are bound by wickedness.

Yes, you are bound — do not judge!”

And the soul said:

“Why do you judge me, though I have not judged?

I was bound, but I have not bound.

I was not recognized, but I have recognized

that all is being dissolved, both earthly and heavenly.”

Freed from this third Power, the soul went upward

and saw the fourth Power.

It had seven forms:

The first is Darkness,

the second Desire,

the third Ignorance,

the fourth is the excitement of death,

the fifth is the kingdom of the flesh,

the sixth is the foolish wisdom of the flesh,

the seventh is the wrathful wisdom.

These are the seven powers of Wrath.

They questioned the soul:

“Where do you come from, slayer of men?

Or where are you going, conqueror of space?”

The soul answered:

“What binds me has been slain,

what surrounds me has been destroyed,

my desire is gone,

and ignorance is dead.”

[Page 15 – Mary finishes, and Peter reacts with anger]

When Mary had said this, she was silent,

since it was to this point that the Savior had spoken with her.

But Andrew answered and said to the brothers:

“Say what you will about what she has said —

I do not believe that the Savior said this.

For certainly these teachings are strange ideas.”

Peter also opposed her in regard to these matters

and asked them about the Savior:

“Did he really speak with a woman in private without our knowledge?

Should we all turn and listen to her?

Did he prefer her to us?”

Then Mary wept and said to Peter:

“My brother Peter, what do you think?

Do you believe that I thought this up myself in my heart,

or that I am lying about the Savior?”

Levi answered and said to Peter:

“Peter, you have always been hot-tempered.

Now I see you contending against the woman like the adversaries.

But if the Savior made her worthy, who are you to reject her?

Surely the Savior knows her very well.

That is why he loved her more than us.”

Rather, let us be ashamed and put on the perfect Man

and separate as he commanded us

and preach the gospel, not laying down any other rule

or law beyond what the Savior said.”

And when they heard this,

they began to go forth to proclaim and to preach.

[END OF KNOWN TEXT]

🔓 This gospel was buried because it destroys the idea of Mary as a prostitute…

… and reveals her as the divine twin, the one Jesus gave his secret teachings to.