Misquoting Jesus with Bart Ehrman The Real Mary: History vs Christmas Legend
Dec 23, 2025
Dr. James Tabor, a retired Religious Studies professor and author, explores the historical Mary, mother of Jesus, revealing layers beyond traditional views. He discusses Mary's potential royal and priestly lineage, shaping her societal role. Tabor anchors her life timeline to Herod the Great's death and dives into archaeological links, including a house in Sepphoris possibly connected to her. He argues for recognizing Mary's influence in early Christianity and challenges devotional myths, portraying her as a significant matriarch of the movement.
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Reconstructing Mary From Sparse Evidence
- Mary is a patchwork of sparse textual references and archaeological threads assembled critically by scholars.
- James Tabor reconstructs her life from limited New Testament passages plus archaeology and later texts to form a plausible picture.
Sepphoris Burning While Mary Nursed
- Tabor imagines Mary nursing an infant Jesus while Sepphoris burns across the valley during revolts after Herod's death.
- He uses that vivid scene to show how contemporary political turmoil shaped her world and experiences.
Archaeology Suggests Urban Links
- Archaeology at Sepphoris includes ruins of a first-century house later venerated as a 'House of Mary.'
- Tabor suggests this urban setting challenges the simplistic image of Mary as a rural, impoverished villager.