The Gospel of Mary

The Gospel of Mary is a Gnostic text discovered in 1896 in a fifth-century papyrus codex written in Sahidic Coptic.

The text is incomplete, missing several pages, but it provides a unique insight into early Christian controversies and the role of women in early Christianity.

It features Mary Magdalene as a key figure who receives special teachings from Jesus through visions.

The narrative includes discussions on the nature of matter, sin, and the soul's journey to its final rest.

The text challenges orthodox views by presenting Mary as a legitimate leader and teacher among the disciples, despite opposition from Peter and Andrew.

It emphasizes inner spiritual knowledge and critiques the suffering and death of Jesus as the path to eternal life, instead focusing on detachment from the physical world and the attainment of inner tranquility.