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The Da Vinci Code and Mary Magdalene
by Dr. Darryl DelHousayeThe Da Vinci Code claims: Was Jesus married, and also a father?
“The chalice that held the blood of Christ… it speaks, in fact, of Mary Magdalene—the female womb that carried Jesus’ royal bloodline…behold the greatest cover-up in human history. Not only was Jesus Christ married, but he was a father.” (Dan Brown, The Da Vinci Code p.249)
“Mary Magdalene was pregnant at the time of the crucifixion. For the safety of Christ’s unborn child, she had no choice but to flee the Holy Land. With the help of Jesus’ trusted uncle, Joseph of Arimathea. Mary Magdalene secretly traveled to France, then known as Gaul. There she found safe refuge in the Jewish community. It was here in France that she gave birth to a daughter. Her name was Sarah.” ( The Da Vinci Code p.255)
“The marriage of Jesus and Mary Magdalene is part of the historical record.” ( The Da Vinci Code p.245)
History's version of the events:
Mary Magdalene was a follower of Jesus and the first to see the resurrected Lord (John 19). This Mary was of the city of Magdala, a wealthy city. She was healed by Jesus and became one of his supporters (Luke 8:2, 3). The Scriptures never said she was a prostitute and it wasn’t Peter who authored the rumor, but rather Pope Gregory the Great, five centuries later.
There is nothing in the Scriptures that tell us she was romantically involved with Jesus or that they ever married. Brown’s argument for Jesus being married and fathering a child is as follows: “Because Jesus was a Jew and the social decorum during that time virtually forbade a Jewish man to be unmarried. According to Jewish custom, celibacy was condemned, and the obligation for a Jewish father was to find a suitable wife for his son.” ( The Da Vinci Code p.245)
The answer is simple: when did Jesus ever follow “social decorum?” History also tells us that the Essenes were celibate and held in high esteem among the Jews as spiritual men. Jesus would have a bride, but his bride would be the Church.
The book also claims: Mary was to be the head of the church.
“According to these unaltered gospels, it was not Peter to whom Christ gave direction with which to establish the Christian church. It was Mary Magdalene.” ( The Da Vinci Code p.245)
The Book of Acts is dated between 60 and 64 AD and makes it clear that the leadership of the Church rested with all the apostles, including Paul (Ephesians 2:20; 4:11).
Dr. Darryl DelHousaye is the president of Phoenix Seminary. He earned his B. A. degree from California State University at Northridge, his M. Div. degree from Talbot School of Theology, and his doctorate degree from Western Seminary. He teaches in the areas of pastoral theology and New Testament at Phoenix Seminary, and he maintains a rigorous schedule of preaching and teaching in Arizona and nationally.
Related reading:
Who was Mary Magdalene?