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Matthew 19:12-For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.”
With the background having been established for us to investigate the claims that Jesus and Mary were husband and wife, we turn now to investigate the Record of the New Testament on the matter.
The first thing to observe is that if Jesus had been married and had children, it would not have been a huge scandal that would need to be covered up. This would have simply been another aspect of the humanity of Jesus which the Bible fully acknowledges and elaborates upon. The Scriptures show us that Jesus is both Divine and human (which we will investigate in future studies). As Boch points out:
“(5) Even if Jesus had been married, it would not have had the devastating effect on Jesus’ claim of divinity that the conspiracy view alleges. Let’s deal with the last point first. Jesus did many things that underscored His genuine humanity. He ate, thirsted, slept, tired, lived, and died. His everyday life was that of a normal human existence. His life was exceptional because of His relationship with God, His access to divine power, and His resurrection. One of the most basic beliefs of Christian faith is that Jesus was 100 percent human. So if He had been married and fathered children, His marital relationship and His parenthood would not theoretically undercut His divinity but would have been reflections of His complete humanity. Had Jesus been married, there was no need to cover it up. The whole rationale for covering up any supposed relationship has no basis in theology. Had Jesus been married, theoretically He still could have been and done all He did. This leads us to the major question: What evidence is there that Jesus was or was not married?” (Darrell L. Bock, Breaking the Da Vinci Code, 44-45 (Kindle Edition): Thomas Nelson Books)
Second, as noted in a previous article, there would have been several instances in Jesus’ ministry which would have afforded opportunity for the Gospel writers to mention Jesus and Mary being wed if they had been. Indeed, those instances in the New Testament where Mary is mentioned in the company of other women shows that those other women were married. The fact that they didn’t mention Mary being married to Jesus in such contexts is an indicator that they were not, in fact, husband and wife.
Third, Mary was present at Jesus’ crucifixion (John 19:25). Jesus, at that time, showed special tenderness for His mother (John 19:26-27). Would He not have shown such concern for His wife if He had had one?
Finally, consider this. In the Book of 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul defends the rights of Apostles and preachers. One of those rights includes the right for a minister of the Gospel to be married. Look at his argument:
1 Corinthians 9:3-5-My defense to those who examine me is this: 4 Do we have no right to eat and drink? 5 Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?
Paul’s point is that other Apostles have the right to be married, such as Cephas (or Peter). He even mentions the brothers of Jesus being married! Now, here’s the point: if Jesus had been married, then Paul would have used this to make his case. Indeed, Paul could have no better example to defend the Apostles taking a wife! The fact that he doesn’t is powerful evidence that Jesus was not married to Mary Magdalene (or to any other woman). As Boch clarifies:
“Paul noted in this aside that the apostles, the Lord’s brothers, and Cephas (Peter) had the right to a wife. In other words, they had every right to be married. It would have been simple for Paul to add that Jesus was married—had He been. Such a point would have sealed his argument, but he did not make that point.…This 1 Corinthians 9 passage shows that the church was not embarrassed to reveal that its leaders were married—or to suggest that they had the right to be. The same would have been true of Jesus if He had been married. In fact, had Jesus been married, there would have been no better place for Paul to say it than here. It would have clinched Paul’s case that he also had the right to be married. Paul did not mention it because Jesus had not been married.” (Darrell L. Bock, Breaking the Da Vinci Code, 51-52 (Kindle Edition): Thomas Nelson Books)
Some could suggest that Jesus MUST have been married, since it was the cultural norm of males in the first century land of Israel to be married. While marriage was in many ways expected of men by many in the first century world, it is quite a leap to say that everyone believed people must be married with children in order to be pleasing to God. After all, Jesus Himself elaborated on those who are eunuchs for the kingdom of Heaven’s sake (Matthew 19:12). The word “eunuch” generally referred to a man who either did not marry and/or did not have children (for various reasons). Furthermore, we know of examples in the first century land of Israel where celibacy was praised and celebrated.
“What about the fact that Jewish males almost always married, especially if they descended from King David? That’s true, but it’s also true that first-century Jews admired celibacy for the sake of devotion to a divine task. In fact, some members of a Jewish sect known as “Essenes” remained unmarried. The first-century Jewish philosopher Philo celebrated their lifestyle with these words: The Essenes . . . reject marriage, practicing an eminent degree of self-control. . . . This is the commendable lifestyle of these Essenes. Not only ordinary individuals but also mighty kings admire these men, revere their sect, and increase their dignity and majesty in ever-higher degrees by their approval and by the honors that they confer on them.41 Yes, most Jewish males married, but some Jews also willingly committed themselves to become, in the words of Jesus, “eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of the heavens” (Matthew 19:12). Because of this commitment, these persons—at least among the Essenes—received respect from the masses and support from the wealthy. In such a context, the silence of the Gospels regarding Jesus’s marital status neither confirms nor denies the Savior’s singleness.” (Timothy Paul Jones, Conspiracies and The Cross, 2967-2977 (Kindle Edition): Lake Mary, FL: FrontLine)
When it is all said and done, there is no evidence whatsoever that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene (or any other woman). Furthermore, there is a great deal of evidence that He was celibate throughout His life.
“Not one ancient historical source claims that Jesus was married, either to Mary Magdalene or to anyone else. Neither are there any ancient historical sources that teach that Jesus had children…Jesus’ teaching about being single for the kingdom of heaven’s sake (Matt. 19: 12) is also a pointer. If Jesus had been married, this would have been a wonderful clincher to Paul’s argument that apostles have the right to bring their wives with them in ministry, although the best Paul could do was to refer to Peter and Jesus’ brothers (1 Cor. 9: 5). That would have clinched Paul’s argument by itself! 24 Acts 8: 30–34 implies that Jesus had no descendants. At the cross, Jesus committed his mother to John, not to his son (John 19: 26). Jesus’ brother James is the leader of early church in Jerusalem (Acts 15). But since there is no evidence at all that Jesus was married, it should not be necessary to mention his lack of offspring! Goodacre states that the available evidence argues that Jesus did not have a son. It will not do to postulate otherwise without historical data by saying that “our evidence is incomplete,” or that we should be open to it, or simply that we cannot rule out the possibility. 25 Positive evidence is needed.” (Gary Habermas, The Secret of the Talpiot Tomb: Unraveling the Mystery of the Jesus Family Tomb, 31 (Kindle Edition): Nashville, TN: Holman Reference)
In our final studies on this topic, we will notice the arguments advanced in favor of Jesus and Mary Magdalene being husband and wife.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.