The Gospel of Mary Coptic-English Interlinear © 2013 Mark M. Mattison. All rights reserved.
This interlinear reproduces the text of the Berlin Codex 8502, page 7, line 1, through page 19, line 5 (BG 8502, 1, 7:1-19:5). The Berlin Codex contains the most complete copy of Mary’s Gospel discovered so far, even though more than half of it is missing. It’s a fifth-century Coptic translation of an earlier Greek text. Dr. Carl Reinhardt purchased it in Cairo in 1896 from an antiquities dealer from Achmim and brought it to Berlin, where it was studied by Egyptologists. However, a number of obstacles (including two world wars) made it impossible to publish a German translation until 1955.1 An English translation by George W. MacRae and R. McL. Wilson was included at the end of the one-volume translation of The Nag Hammadi Library edited by James M. Robinson in 1978.2 Other translations followed. In addition to the Coptic manuscript, two smaller Greek fragments also came to light in the twentieth century.3 Both Greek copies date to the third century, which proves that Mary’s Gospel was widely copied in antiquity. All three copies were discovered in Egypt. Scholars widely agree that the original Gospel was probably written in Egypt or Syria in the first half of the second century, which would mean it was written at least as early as the latest books of the New Testament. For some reflections on the meaning and significance of Mary’s Gospel for us today, see my book The Gospel of Mary: A Fresh Translation and Holistic Approach, available from Amazon.com.
Notes 1Cf. Esther De Boer, Mary Magdalene: Beyond the Myth (Trinity Press International), 1997, pp. 75,76,79; Karen L. King, The Gospel of Mary of Magdala: Jesus and the First Woman Apostle (Polebridge Press), 2003, pp. 7-12. 2James M. Robinson, ed., The Nag Hammadi Library in English (Harper & Row), 1978. The Berlin Codex wasn’t included among the codices discovered near Nag Hammadi, but two of the other four books in the Berlin Codex had turned up in that collection, which was discovered in 1945. 3The
Papyrus Rylands 463, published in 1938, coincides with 17:5-19:5 of the Berlin Codex. The Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 3525, published in 1983, coincides with 9:5-10:13.
Sources The Coptic text and reconstructions included in this interlinear are based on the following critical sources, which were developed by scholars examining the original manuscript in Berlin. Readers interested in learning more about the text are encouraged to consult them directly: Walter C. Till and Hans-Martin Schenke, Die gnostischen Schriften des koptischen Papyrus Berolinensis 8502 (Akademie Verlag), 1972, pp. 62-79; 342-366 Anne Pasquier, L’Évangile Selon Marie (Les Presses de l’Université Laval), 1983, pp. 29-47; 109-118 R. McL. Wilson and George W. MacRae in The Coptic Gnostic Library: A Complete Edition of the Nag Hammadi Codices, Vol. III, ed. By James M. Robinson (Brill), 2000, pp. 456-471; 495-542 Christopher Tuckett, The Gospel of Mary (Oxford University Press), 2007, pp. 86-106 Particular thanks to Michael W. Grondin, author of the on-line resource Grondin’s Interlinear Coptic/English Translation of the Gospel of Thomas, for his invaluable feedback and constructive criticism. This document was first published on-line on July 21, 2013, and last updated on October 1, 2013. Please forward notices of typographical errors or suggested corrections to
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Gap in the text Editorial correction of a scribal error Letter erroneously added by the scribe Letter or letters inserted over the line by the scribe
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[z] 7 […] c[u]lh qe na. “Matter then will ou[wq]p jn mmon peje p.SWR je be destroyed or not?” Said the-Savior this: vusis nim plasma nim ktisis “Nature every form every creature nim eu.šop xN neu.erhu {M}Nmevery they-exist in each-other with mau auw on eu.na.bwl ebol e. them and again they-will-dissolve into tou.noune Mmin mmo.ou je te. their-root their~own, for thevusis n.culh es.bwl ebol e.na. nature of-matter it-dissolves into-the things oftes.vusis ouaa.s pete oun maaits-nature alone. Whoever has ear je Mmof e.swtM mare.f.swtM — to-hear let-him-hear!” peje petros na.f je 5ws ak.taSaid Peter to-him this: “As youmo.n e.5wb nim jw m.pi.ke.oua told-us concerning-thing every tell of-the-other-one ero.n ou pe p.nobe m.p.kosmos to-us: What is the-sin of-the-world?” peje p.SWR je mN nobe šop alSaid the-Savior this: “No sin exists, but la NtwtN pe+re M.p.nobe eteyou it is who make the-sin when tN.eire N.ne+ne N.t.vusis n.t.mNtyou-do those (things) like the-nature of-thenoeik et
.moute ero.s je p.noadultery which is-called it this: the-sin. be etbe pa! af.ei Nqi p.agacO Because of this he-came viz the-Good 5n tetM.mhte ša na vusis into your-midst up to the things of nature nim ef.na.kacista mmos e5oU every he-will-restore — within etes.noune eti af.ouw5 etotf its-root.” Then he-continued peja.f je etbe pai tetN.šwsaid-he this: “Because of this you-get [n]e auw tetM.mou je t[etn.me] sick and you-die, for you-love
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M.pet.aR.[a]pa[ta M.mw.tn pet.R]that-which-will-deceive you. Whoeverno! mare.f.Rnoei [a.c]ulh [jp]e ou. understands let-him-understand! Matter begat apacos e.mNta.f mmau M.p.eine passion which-has not there the-image, e.af.ei ebol 5n ou.paravusis towhich-it-came out from (something)-contrary to nature. te šare.ou.tarayh šwpe ĂM Then a-disturbance comes into being in p.swma thr.f etbe pa! a!.jo.s nhthe-body all. Because of this I-told you tN je šwpe etetN.tht N.5ht this: be you-content of-heart auw etetN.o N.n.attwt eteand if you-be discontented youtN.tht men N.na5r.M p.ine p.ine content nevertheless in-the presence-of the-various-images n.te.vusis pete oun maaje Mof-the-nature. Whoever has ear mof e.swtM mare.f.swtM nta— to-hear let-him-hear!” When ref.je na! nqi p.makarios af.ashe-said these (things) viz the-Blessed One he-greetpaze Mmoou thr.ou ef.jw Mmo’‘’ s’’ ed — all-of them he-said — je ou.eirhnh nh.tN ta.eirhnh this: “Peace to-you. My-peace jpo.s nh.tN are5 mpRtre.laau R. acquire to-you. Beware let not-anyone plana m.mw.tN ef.jw mmos je mislead you he-saying — this: eis 5hpe m.pe!.sa h eis 5hpe M. ‘Look here in-this-direction!’ or ‘Look here inpeei.ma p.šhre gar m.p.rwme ef. this-place!’ the-Son For of-the-Human hešop mpetN5oun oue5.thutN exists within you. Follow-you Nsw.f net.šine Nsw.f sena. after-him. Those who-seek after-him they willqNT.f bwk qe NtetN.tašeoeiš find-him. Go then and you-to preach m.p.euaggelion N.T.mntero mpR. the-gospel of-the-kingdom. Do not-
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c 9 ka lau N5oros e5ra! para penlay any rules down beyond whatt.a!.toš.F nh.tN oude MpR.+ noI-appointed to-you, nor do not-give (a) law mos N.ce m.p.nomoceths mhpolike the-lawgiver, lest te Nse.ama5te M.mw.tN n5ht.f they-bind you by-it.” ntare.f.je na! af.bwk ntoou de When-he-said these (things), he-went. they But neu.Rlupei au.rime Mp$a eu. they-grieved (and) they-wept greatly. They jw mmos je nn.aš N5e en.na.bwk said — this: “How we-will-go ša n.5ecnos NtN.tašeoeiš N. up to the-Gentiles we-to preach p.euaggelion n.t.mNtero m.p.š‘h’’the-gospel of-the-kingdom of-the-Son re m.p.rwme ešje p.etMmau Mof-the-Human? If that one pou.+so ero.f n.aš N5e anon eu. they did not-spare him, how we they na.+so ero.n tote a.mari5am twwill-spare us?” Then Mary rose oun as.aspaze mmoou thr.ou (and) she-greeted — all-of them. peja.s n.nes.’‘s’’nhu je mpR.rime Said-she to-her-brothers this: “Do not-weep auw mpR.Rlupei oude MpR.R 5ht and do not-grieve, nor do not-make heart snau tef.yaris gar na.šwpe two, his-grace for will-be n.MmhtN thr.n auw ns.Rskepawith-you all-of you and it will-protect ze m.mw.tN mallon de mar.N. you. rather But let-us smou e.tef.mNtnoq je af.sBpraise his-greatness, for hetwt.N af.aa.n N.rwme ntare.maprepared-us (and) he-made-us humans.” Whenri5am je na! as.kte peu.5ht Mary said these (things), she-turned their-heart [e5]oun e.p.agacon auw au.Raryetoward the-Good and they-started [scai] n.R.gum[n]aze 5a pra n.N.šato-debate about the-words [y]e m.p.[SWR] of-the-Savior.
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peje Said ne
petros m.mari5am je t.swPeter to-Mary this: “Sister, tN.sooun je nere.p.SWR ouaš.e we-know that the-Savior loved-you n5ouo para p.ke.seepe n.S5!me more than beyond the-other-remainder of-women. jw na.n n.N.šaje M.p.SWR ete.eire Tell to-us the-words of-the-Savior whichmpe.u.meeue na! ete.sooun Mmoremember these (things) which-know — ou N.n.anon an oude mpN.sotm.‘o’’u we not nor we have not-heard-them.” as.ouwšB nqi mari5am peja.s She-answered viz Mary said-she je p.echp erw.tN +.na.tama thuthis: “The-hidden to-you I-will-tell you tN ero.f auw as.aryei N.jw na.u it.” And she-started to-say to-them N.ne!.šaje je a{!}nok peja.s ai. these-words this: “I,” said-she, “Inau e.p.JS 5n ou.5oroma auw aei. saw the-Lord in a-vision and I joo.s na.f je p.JS a!.nau ero.k Msaid to-him this: ‘Lord, I-saw you poou 5n ou.5oroma af.ouwšb petoday in a-vision.’ He-answered ja.f na.! je na!at.e je Nte.kim an said-he to-me this: ‘Blessed are-you, for you-waver not ere.nau ero.ei p.ma gar etere.p.nous you-seeing me; the-place for where-the-mind Mmau ef.mmau nqi p.e5o peja.! there it-there viz the-treasure.’ said-I na.f je p.JS tenou pet.nau evoto-him this: ‘Lord, now who-sees the roma ef.nau ero.f <5N> te.2uyh vision he-see it in the-soul or pe.PNA af.ouwšB Nqi p.SWR pethe-spirit?’ He-answered viz the-Savior ja.f je ef.nau an 5N te.2uyh ousaid-he this: ‘He-sees not in the-soul de 5m pe.PNA alla p.nous et.š[op] nor in the-spirit, but the-mind which-exists 5n teu.mhte m.pe.u.snau Nto[f pet]. in between the-two it that nau evoroma au[w] Ntof p[et …] sees the vision and it that …’
Pages 11 through 14 are missing.
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mmof auw peje t.epicumia — and said the-Desire je Mpi.nau ero ere.bhk epitN this: ‘I did not-see you you-going down tenou de +.nau ero ere.bhk enow but I-see you you-going tpe pws de te.ji qol ere.hp’’’ eup. Why then you-tell a lie (since) you-belong to roei as.ouwšB nqi te.2uyh peme?’ She-answered viz the-soul ja.s je a!.nau ero Mpe.nau ero.! said-she this: ‘I-saw you did not-see me oude mpe.eime ero.ei neei.šonor did you-know me. I-was op ne N5Bsw auw mpe.souwn.t to you a garment and you did not-recognize-me.’ Ntares.je na! as.bwk es.telhl When she-said these (things) she-went she-rejoicing N5ouo > palin as.ei etN t.me5greatly. Again she-came towards hand of the¥omnte N.n.e3ousia tetou.m‘o’uthird power which is-called te ero.s je t.mntatsooun [as].Rit this: the-Ignorance. It e3etaze N.te.2uyh es.j[w M]asked the-soul it-said mos je ere.bhk etwn 5n [o]u.po— this: ‘you-going where? In nhria au.ama5te Mmo au.[a]ma5wickedness they-bound you. they-bound te de Mmo MpR.krine au[w] peBut you do not-judge.’ And je te.2uyh je a5ro ere.krine said the-soul this: ‘Why you-judge Mmo! e.mpi.krine au.ema5te me though I-did not-judge? They-bound Mmo! e.mpi.ama5te mpou.soume though I-did not-bind. They did not-recognize wn.t anok de a!.souwn.ou eu. -me I but I-recognized bwl ebol m.p.thrf eite na pdissolving the-All, both things of the [ka5] earth
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[i]6 16 eite na t.p[e] Ntere.te.2uyh ouand things of the-heaven.’ When-the-soul wsF N.t.me5šomnte N.n.e3ousihad overcome the-third power a as.bwk ep.sa n.t.pe auw as.nau she-went upwards and she-saw e.t.ma5ftoe N.n.e3ousia as.R sathe-fourth power. It-made šfe {n}M.morvh t.šorp M.morseven forms: the-first form vh pe p.kake t.me5sNte t.epiis the-Darkness; the-second, thecumia t.me5šomnte t.mNtatDesire; the-third, the-Ignorance; sooun t.me5ftoe pe p.kw5 M.p. the-fourth is the-Zeal of-themou t.me5+e te t.mNtero N.t.sar3 Death; the-fifth is the-Kingdom of-the-Flesh; t.me5soe te t.mNtsabh n.seqh the-sixth is the-Wisdom Foolish N.sar3 t.me5sašfe te t.soviof-Flesh; the-seventh is the-Wisdom a [N].refnouqs na! ne t.sašfe NWrathful. These are the-seven n.e[3]ousia nte t.orgh eu.šine powers of the-Wrath. They-ask N.te.2uyh je ere.nhu jin twn the-soul this: ‘You-come from where t.5atb.rwme h ere.bhk etwn killer-human or you-going where t.ouasf.ma as.ouwšB Nqi te. conqueror-space?’ She-answered viz the2uyh peja.s je pet.ema5te Msoul said-she this: ‘What-bound mo! au.konS.F auw pet.kto Mme was-slain and what-turns mo! au.ouosf auw ta.epicumia me was-overcome and my-desire as.jwk ebol auw t.mntatsoOU was-completed and the-ignorance as.mou ‘5N’ ’ ou.[kosm]os Ntau.bolt’’ eit-died. In a-world they-released
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Iz 17 bol 5Nn ou.kosmos [au]w 5N ou. from a-world and in a tupos ebol 5n ou.tupos et.Mtype from a-type which isp.sa n.t.pe auw t.mRre n.t.Bše et. above and the-chain of-the-forgetfulness that šoop pros ouo!š jin Mpinau exists for a time. From this time on eei.na.ji n.t.anapausis m.pe. I-will-receive the-repose of-the5N yronos m.p.kairos m.p.’‘ai’wn time of-the-season of-the-age in n.ou.karwf ntere.mari5am je a-silence.’” When-Mary spoke na! as.ka rw.s 5wste Nta.p.SWR these (things) she-kept silent as had-the-Savior šaje nMm.as ša peei.ma spoken with-her up to this-place. af.ouwšB de Nqi andreas peja.f he-answered But viz Andrew said-he N.ne.snhu je aji p.etetN.jw to-the-brothers this: “Say what-you-say mmof 5a p.ra N.ne.ntas.j[o]o.u — about what she-said; anok men +R.pisteue an je I nevertheless I-believe not that a.p.SWR je na! ešje ni.sboouthe-Savior said these (things), seem to be these-teachings e gar 5N.ke.meeue ne af.ouwfor among-other-ideas are.” He-answered šB nqi petros peja.f 5a p.ra viz Peter said-he about n.neei.5bhue n.teei.mine af. these-things of-this-kind. He jnou.ou etbe p.SWR je mhti asked-them concerning the-Savior this: “Surely af.šaje mN ou.s5!me njioue he-spoke not a-woman secretly ero.n 5n ouwn5 ebol an en.na. to-us in public out not? we-Willkto.n 5ww.n NtN.swtM thr.N turn-us ourselves we-listen all-of us nsw.s Ntf.sotp.s n5ouo ero.n to-her? Did he-choose-her more than us?”
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tote a.[m]ari5am rime peja.s M. Then Mary wept said-she to petros pa.son petre 5!e ek. Peter, “My-brother Peter, then youmeeue e.ou ek.meeue je Nta! think what? You-think — I have meeue ero.ou mauaa.t 5M pa. thought them alone in my5ht h eei.ji qol e.p.SWR af.ouheart or I-tell a lie concerning-the-Savior?” HewšB Nqi leuei peja.f m.petro‘s’’ answered viz Levi said-he to-Peter je petre jin ene5 k.šop n.refthis: “Peter, always you-have been nouqs +.nau ero.k tenou ek.R. wrathful. I-see you now yougumnaze e5n te.s5!me N.ce N. debating against this-woman like ni.antikeimenos ešje a.p. the-adversaries. if the swthr de aa.s na3ios Ntk nim Savior But made-her worthy you who de 5ww.k e.noj.s ebol pantw‘s’’’ then you to-throw-her out? Surely ere.p.swthr sooun Mmos asthe-Savior knows her valws etbe pa! af.ouoš.S N5ouvery well. Because of this he-loved-her more than o ero.n mallon mar.N.šipe NTN. us. Rather let-us-be ashamed, + 5!ww.n m.p.rwme n.telios take upon-us the-human perfect, ntN.jpo.f n.an kata ce Ntaf we-acquire-him in-us like what he 5wn etoot.N NtN.tašeoeiš commanded us, we-to preach m.p.euaggelion en.kw an e5ra! the-gospel, we-lay not down n.ke.5oros oude ke.nomos paother-rule nor other-law ra p.enta.p.SWR joo.f Ntere. beyond what-the-Savior said-he.” When-
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[leuei Levi bwk go
de —
[ic] 19 je n]a! auw au.Raryei N. said these (things) and they-started to [e.treu.t]amo Nse.tašeoeiš that they-to teach and they-to preach. [+] + + + p.[eu]aggelion The-Gospel + kata + according to mari5amm + + + + + Mary
Coptic Index ama5te (bind) 9:4; 15:15,15-16,19. ema5te 15:18; 16:17 anok (I) 15:20; 17:13. a!nok 10:10 anon (we) 9:11; 10:6 auw (and) 7:5,22; 8:8; 9:15,17,22; 10:9,11,23; 15:1,8,16; 16:3,18,19,20; 17:1,3; 19:1 are5 (=5are5) (beware) 8:15 a5ro (why) 15:17 bwk (go) 8:21; 9:5,7; 15:9; 16:3; 19:2. bhk 15:14; 16:15. bhk epitN (go down) 15:2. bhk etpe (go up) 15:3-4 bwl ebol (dissolve) 15:21. bwl ebol e- (dissolve into) 7:5,7. bol0ebol (release) 16:21-17:1 b$e (forgetfulness) 17:3 etbe (concerning) 17:18. etbe pa! (because of this) 7:17,21; 8:6; 18:14 etMmau (that one) 9:10 etwn (where?) 15:14; 16:15. jin twn (from where?) 16:14 e$je (if, seem to be) 9:10; 17:14; 18:10 e5n (against) 18:9 e5o (= a5o) (treasure) 10:16 e5oun (within) 7:19 hp’’’ e- (= wp e-) (belong to) 15:4 cht (=5hp) (hidden) 10:8 ei (come) 7:17. ei ebol 5n (come out from) 8:4. ei etN-(etoot0) (come towards the hand of) 15:10 eimi (know) 15:7 eine (resemble/ance) 7:15. eine (image) 8:3. ine (image) 8:9 (twice). eire (make, do) 7:14,15. R- 16:4. aa0 9:20; 18:11. eis 5hpe (Look here) 8:17 (twice). kake (darkness) 16:6 karwf (silence) 17:7. ka rw0 (keep silent) 17:8 ka5 (earth) 15:22 ke- (other) 7:11; 10:3; 17:15; 18:20 kim (waver) 10:14 kto (turn) 16:18. kto0 17:21. kte[e5]oun (turn toward) 9:21-22 kw e5ra! (lay down) 18:19. ka e5ra! 9:1. kons0 (slay) 16:18 kw5 (zeal) 16:8 laau (any, anyone) 8:15; 9:1 ma (place) 10:15; 16:16. peeima (this place) 17:9. mpeeima (in this place) 8:17-18 maaje (ear) 7:8-9; 8:10
mauaa0 (alone) 18:4 me (love) 7:22 meeue (think, idea) 17:15; 18:3 (twice), 4. eire mpe0 meeue (remember) 10:4-5 me5sNte (second) 16:6 me5sa$fe (seventh) 16:11 me5soe (sixth) 16:10 me5$omnte (third) 15:10-11; 16:2,7 me5ftoe (fourth) 16:8. ma5ftoe 16:4 me5+e (fifth) 16:9 mhte (middle, between) 7:18; 10:22 mine (kind) 17:17 mmau (there) 8:3; 10:16 (twice) Mmin mmo0 (intensive pronoun) 7:6 mmon (not) 7:2 mN (negation of existence) 7:13. mNta0 8:3 mntnoeik (adultery) 7:15 mNtnoq (greatness) 9:19 mNtero (kingdom) 8:22; 9:9; 16:9 mNtsabh (wisdom) 16:10. Pl. sbooue (teachings) 17:14-15 mou (die, death) 7:22; 16:9,21 moute (call) 7:16; 15:11-12 mRre (chain) 17:3 Mpoou (today) 10:12-13 MpR- (do not) 8:22; 9:2,14,15 (twice), 15:16 Mp$a (greatly) 9:6 mp5oun + possessive (inside) 8:19 na!at0 (blessed) 10:14 nau (see) 10:11,12,15,17,18,20,23; 15:2,3,6 (twice); 16:3; 18:8 neuerhu (each other) 7:4 Nce (like) 9:3; 18:9. kata ce 18:17. na$ N5e (how) 9:7,11 nim (every) 7:3 (twice), 4,11,19; (who) 18:11 nna5rm (in the presence of) 8:9 nobe (sin) 7:12,13,14,16-17 nhu+ (come) 16:14 noune (root) 7:6,20 noj0 ebol (throw out) 18:12 Ntk (= Ntok) (you) 18:11 ntoou (they) 9:5 Ntof (him, it) 10:22,23 NtwtN (you) 7:14 njioue (secretly) 17:19 N5ouo (more than, greatly) 10:3; 15:10; 17:22; 18:14-15 Nqi (viz) 7:17; 8:12; 10:7,16,19; 15:5; 16:16; 17:10; 18:6
on (again) 7:5 pe (up, above, heaven) 16:1 peje- (said) 7:2,10,13; 10:1; 15:1,16-17. peja0 7:21; 9:14; 10:7,10,1314,16,19-20; 15:5-6; 16:17; 17:10,16; 18:1,6 pros ouoei$ (for a time) 17:4 refnouqs (wrathful) 16:12; 18:7-8 rime (weep) 9:6,14; 18:1 rwme (human) 8:18; 9:10,20; 18;16. t5atbrwme (human killer) 16:15 sa (direction) 8:17. sa(N)tpe (upwards, from above) 16:3; 17:3. nsw0 (to) 17:22. sa$fe (seven) 16:4-5,12 seepe (remainder) 10:3 seqh (foolish) 16:10 smou (praise) 9:19 snau (two) 10:22 sBtwt0 (= sobte) (prepare) 9:19-20 son (brother) 18:2. Pl. snhu 9:14; 17:11. swne (sister) 10:1-2 sooun (know, recognize) 10:2,5; 18:13. souwn0 15:8,19-20,20. mNtatsooun (ignorance) 15:12; 16:7-8,20 sotp0 (choose) 17:22 swtM (hear, listen) 7:9 (twice); 8:11 (twice); 10:6; 17:21 s5!me (woman) 10:3; 17:19; 18:9 + (give) 9:2. + 5iww0 (take upon) 18:16. tamo (tell) 7:10-11; 19:2. tama- 10:8. ta$e oei$ (preach) 8:21; 9:8; 18:18; 19:2 telhl (rejoice) 15:9 tenou (now) 10:17; 15:3; 18:8 thr0 (all) 8:6,13; 9:13,17; 17:21. pthrf (the All) 15:21 +so e- (spare ) 9:11,12 twt (agreeable, content). tht+ 8:9. attwt (disagreeable, discontented) 8:8. tht+ N5ht (agree, content of heart) 8:7 twoun (rise) 9:12-13 to$0 (= tw$) (appoint) 9:2 ou (what?) 7:12; 18:3 oua (one) 7:11 ouaa0 (alone) 7:8 oue5- nsw0 (follow after) 8:19-20 ouN (has) 7:8; 8:10 ouwn5 (public) 17:20 ouwsf (overcome, conquer) 16:1-2. ouosf 16:19. ouasf- 16:16
ouo$0 (= ouw$) (love) 18:14. oua$0 10:2 ouw$B (answer) 10:7,13,19; 15:5; 16:16; 17:10,15-16; 18:5-6 ouw5 etot0 (continue) 7:20. ouwqP (destroy, be destroyed) 7:2 $a (up to) 7:18; 9:8; 17:9 $aje (speak, word) 17:9,19; 9:23-24; 10:4,10 $ine (ask) 16:13. $ine Nsw0 (seek after) 8:20 $ipe (be ashamed) 18:15 $wne (become sick) 7:21-22 $wpe (be, come into existence) 8:5,7; 9:16. $oop+ (exist) 7:4,13; 8:19; 10:21; 15:7-8; 17:4; 18:7 $hre (son) 8:18; 9:9-10 $orP (first) 16:5 5a pra (about) 9:23; 17:12,16 5bsw (garment) 15:8 5ht (heart) 9:21; 18:5. R 5ht snau (become doubtful) 9:15-16 5ie (then) 18:2 5n (in, from) 7:4,18; 8:5; 10:11,13,18,20,21,22; 15:14; 16:21; 17:1 (twice), 2,6,15,20; 18:4. n5ht0 (by) 9:4 5wb (thing) 7:11; pl. 5bhue 17:17 5wn etoot0 (command) 18:18 5ww0 (emphatic pronoun) 17:21; 18:12 je (for) 7:6,22; 9:19; 10:14 je (this, that) 7:2,10,13,16,21; 8:14,16; 9:7,14; 10:1,2,8,10,12,14,17,20; 15:6,12,14,17; 16:14,17; 17:13,18; 18:3,7 ji (receive) 17:5 jin ene5 (always) 18:7 ji qol (tell a lie) 15:4; 18:5 jn (or) 7:2 jnou0 (ask) 17:18 jin Mpinau (from this time on) 17:4 jpo0 (acquire) 8:15; 18:17. jpe(beget) 8:2. JS (=joeis) (lord) 10:11,12,17 jw (tell, say) 7:11; 8:13,16; 9:7; 10:4,9; 15:13; 17:11. je- 8:12; 9:5,21; 15:9; 17:7; 19:1. joo0 10:12; 17:12; 18:21. jo0 8:6. aji- (imperat.) 17:11 jwk ebol (complete) 16:20 qe (then) 7:1; 8:21 qNt0 (find) 8:21
Greek Loan Words ἀγαθός (good). agacon 7:17; 9:22 αἰων (age) 17:6 ἀλλά (but) 7:13-14; 10:21 ἀνάπαυσις (repose) 17:5 άντικείµενος (adversaries) 18:10 ἄξιος (worthy) 18:11 ἀπατᾶν (deceive) 8:1 ἄρχεσθαι (start). Raryescai 9:22-23. aryei 10:9. Raryei 19:1 ἀσπάζεσθαι (greet). aspaze 8:12-13; 9:13 ἀσϕαλῶς (very well) 18:13-14 γάρ (for) 8:18; 9:16; 10:15; 17:15 γυµνάζεσθαι (debate). Rgumnaze 9:23; 18:9 δέ (but) 9:5,18; 15:3,16,20; 17:10; 18:11,12; 19:1 ἔθνος (Gentile). 5ecnos 9:8 εἰρήνη (peace) 8:14 (twice) εἴτε / εἴτε (both / and) 15:21 / 16:1 ἐξετάζειν (ask). Re3etaze 15:12-13 ἐξουσία (power) 15:11; 16:2-3,4,13 ἐπιθυµία (desire) 15:1; 16:6-7,19 ἔτι (then) 7:20 εὐαγγέλιον (gospel) 8:22; 9:9; 18:19; 19:3 ἤ (or) 8:17; 10:18; 16:15; 18:5 καθιστάναι (restore). kacista 7:19 καιρός (season) 17:6 κατά (according to) 18:17; 19:4 κόσµος (world) 7:12; 16:21; 17:1 κρίνειν (judge). krine 15:16,17,18 κτίσις (creature) 7:3 λυπεῖσθαι (grieve). Rlupei 9:6,15 µακάριος (blessed one) 8:12 µᾶλλον (rather) 9:18; 18:15 µέν (nevertheless) 8:9; 17:13 µήποτε (lest) 9:3-4 µήτι (surely) 17:18 µορϕή (form) 16:5,5-6
νοεῖν (understand). Rno! 8:1-2. Rnoei 8:2. νοµοθέτης (lawgiver) 9:3 νοµός (law) 9:2-3; 18:20 νοῦς (mind) 10:15,21 ὅραµα (vision) 10:11,13,17-18,23 ὀργή (wrath) 16:13 ὅρος (rule) 9:1; 18:20 οὐδέ (not, nor) 9:2,15; 10:6,20-21; 15:7; 18:20 πάθος (passion) 8:3 πάλιν (again) 15:10 πάντως (surely) 18:12 παρά (beyond) 9:1; 10:3; 18:20-21 παράϕυσις (contrary to nature) 8:4 πιστεύειν (believe). pisteue 17:13 πλανᾶν (mislead). Rplana 8:15-16 πλάσµα (form) 7:3 πνεῦµα (spirit). PNA 10:19,21 πονηρία (wickedness) 15:14-15 πρός (towards) 17:4 πῶς δέ (why then) 15:4 σάρξ (flesh) 16:9,11 σκεπάζειν (protect). Rskepaze 9:17-18 σοϕία (wisdom) 16:11-12 σῶµα (body) 8:6 σωτήρ (savior) 18:11,13. SWR 7:2,13; 9:24; 10:2,4,19; 17:8,14,18; 18:5,21 ταραχή (disturbance) 8:5 τέλειος (perfect). telios 18:16 τότε (then) 8:4-5; 9:12; 18:1 τύπος (type) 17:2 (twice) ὕλη (matter). 5ulh 7:1,7; 8:2 ϕύσις (nature) 7:3,7,8,15,18; 8:10 χάρις (grace) 9:16 χρόνος (time) 17:6 ψθχή (soul) 10:18,20; 15:5,13,17; 16:1,14,17 ὡς (as). 5ws 7:10 ὥστε (insofar as). 5wste 17:8
Proper Nouns andreas (Andrew) 17:10 leuei (Levi) 18:6; 19:1 mari5am (Mary) 9:12,20-21; 10:1,7; 17:7; 18:1; 19:5 petros (Peter) 7:10; 10:1; 17:16; 18:2,6. petre 18:2,7
Translation by Mark M. Mattison The English translation of Mary’s Gospel presented on pages 15 through 26 of this PDF has been committed to the public domain. It may be freely copied and used, in whole or in part, changed or unchanged, for any purpose.
The Gospel of Mary Public Domain Translation Formatted Version Pages 1 through 6 are missing. 71“Then will matter 2be destroyed, or not?” The Savior said, 3“Every nature, every form, every creature 4exists in and with each other, 5but they’ll dissolve again into 6their own roots, because the 7nature of matter dissolves into 8its nature alone. Anyone who has 9ears to hear should hear!” 10Peter said to him, “Since you’ve 11explained everything to us, tell us one more thing. 12What’s the sin of the world?” 13The Savior said, “Sin doesn’t exist, 14but you’re the ones who make sin when 15you act in accordance with the nature of 16adultery, which is called ‘sin.’ 17That’s why the Good came 18among you, up to the things of every nature 19in order to restore it within 20its root.” Then he continued and 21said, “That’s why you get 22sick and die, because you love 81what tricks you. Anyone who 2can understand should understand! “Matter gave birth to a 3passion that has no image 4because it came from what’s contrary to nature. 5Then confusion arises in 6the whole body. That’s why I told 7you to be content at heart. 8If you’re discontented, 9find contentment in the presence of the various images 10of nature. Anyone who has ears 11to hear should hear!” 12When the Blessed One said these things, he 13greeted them all and said, 14“Peace be with you! Acquire my peace. 15Be careful not to let anyone 16mislead you by saying, 17‘Look over here!’ or ‘Look 18over there!’ Because the Son of Humanity 19exists within you. Follow 20him! Those who seek him will 21find him. “Go then and preach 22the gospel about the kingdom. Don’t 91lay down any rules beyond what 2I’ve given you, nor make a 3law like the lawgiver, lest 4you be bound by it.” 5When he said these things, he left. But 6they grieved and wept bitterly. They 7said, “How can we go 8up to the Gentiles to preach 9the gospel about the kingdom of the Son 10of Humanity? If they didn’t 11spare him, why would they 12spare us?”
Then Mary 13arose and greeted them all. 14She said to her brothers and sisters, “Don’t weep 15and grieve or let your hearts be 16divided, because his grace will be 17with you all and will protect 18you. Rather we should 19praise his greatness because he’s 20prepared us and made us Humans.” When 21Mary said these things, she turned their hearts 22toward the Good and they started 23to debate the words 24of the Savior. 101Peter said to Mary, “Sister, 2we know the Savior loved you 3more than all other women. 4Tell us the words of the Savior that you 5remember – the things which you know 6that we don’t, and which we haven’t heard.” 7In response Mary said, 8“I’ll tell you what’s hidden from you.” 9So she started to tell them 10these words: “I,” she said, “I 11saw the Lord in a vision and I 12said to him, ‘Lord, I saw you 13in a vision today.’ “In response he 14said to me, ‘You’re blessed because you didn’t waver 15at the sight of me. For where the mind 16is, there is the treasure.’ “I said 17to him, ‘Lord, now does the one who sees the 18vision see it in the soul or in 19the spirit?’ “In response the Savior 20said, ‘They don’t see in the soul 21or in the spirit, but the mind which exists 22between the two is what 23sees the vision.’ … Pages 11 through 14 are missing. 151“And Desire said, 2‘I didn’t see you going down, 3but now I see you’re going 4up. So why are you lying, since you belong to 5me?’ “In response the soul 6said, ‘I saw you, but you didn’t see me 7or know me. I was 8to you just a garment, and you didn’t recognize me.’ 9When it said these things, it left, rejoicing 10greatly. “Again, it came to the 11third power, which is 12called ‘Ignorance.’ It 13interrogated the soul and said, 14‘Where are you going? In 15wickedness you’re bound. 16Since you’re bound, don’t judge!’ “And 17the soul said, ‘Why do you judge 18me, since I haven’t judged? I was bound, 19even though I haven’t bound. They didn’t recognize 20me, but I’ve recognized that 21everything will dissolve – both the things of the 22earth 161and the things of heaven.’ “When the soul 2had overcome the third power, 3it went up and saw 4the fourth power, which took 5seven forms: The first form 6is Darkness; The second, 7Desire; The third, 8Ignorance; The fourth, Zeal for 9Death; The fifth, the Kingdom of the Flesh; 10The sixth, the Foolish ‘Wisdom’ 11of Flesh; The seventh, the ‘Wisdom’ 12of Anger. These are the seven 13powers of Wrath.
“They ask 14the soul, ‘Where do you come from, 15you murderer, and where are you going, 16conqueror of space?’ “In response the 17soul said, ‘What binds 18me has been killed, what surrounds 19me has been overcome, my desire 20is gone, and ignorance 21has died. In a world I was released 171from a world, and in a 2type from a type which is 3above, and from the chain of forgetfulness which 4exists only for a time. From now on 5I’ll receive the rest of the 6time of the season of the age in 7silence.’” When Mary said 8these things, she fell silent because the Savior 9had spoken with her up to this point. 10In response Andrew said 11to the brothers and sisters, ‘Say what you will 12about what she’s said, 13I myself don’t believe that 14the Savior said these things, because these teachings seem like 15different ideas.” In response 16Peter spoke out with 17the same concerns. He 18asked them concerning the Savior: “He didn’t 19speak with a woman without our knowledge 20and not publicly with us, did he? Will we 21turn around and all listen 22to her? Did he prefer her to us?” 181Then Mary wept and said to 2Peter, “My brother Peter, what are you 3thinking? Do you really think that I 4thought this up by myself in my 5heart, or that I’m lying about the Savior?” 6In response Levi said to Peter, 7“Peter, you’ve always been 8angry. Now I see you 9debating with this woman like 10the adversaries. But if the 11Savior made her worthy, who are you 12then to reject her? Surely 13the Savior knows her 14very well. That’s why he loved her more than 15us. “Rather we should be ashamed, 16clothe ourselves with perfect Humanity, 17acquire it for ourselves as he 18instructed us, and preach 19the gospel, not laying down 20any other rule or other law 21beyond what the Savior said.” When 191Levi said these things, they started to 2go out to teach and to preach. 3The Gospel 4According to 5Mary
The Gospel of Mary Public Domain Translation Unformatted Version Pages 1 through 6 are missing. Page 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
“Then will matter be destroyed, or not?” The Savior said, “Every nature, every form, every creature exists in and with each other, but they’ll dissolve again into their own roots, because the nature of matter dissolves into its nature alone. Anyone who has ears to hear should hear!” Peter said to him, “Since you’ve explained everything to us, tell us one more thing. What’s the sin of the world?” The Savior said, “Sin doesn’t exist, but you’re the ones who make sin when you act in accordance with the nature of adultery, which is called ‘sin.’ That’s why the Good came among you, up to the things of every nature in order to restore it within its root.” Then he continued and said, “That’s why you get sick and die, because you love
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what tricks you. Anyone who can understand should understand! Matter gave birth to a passion that has no image because it came from what’s contrary to nature. Then confusion arises in the whole body. That’s why I told you to be content at heart. If you’re discontented, find contentment in the presence of the various images of nature. Anyone who has ears to hear should hear!” When the Blessed One said these things, he greeted them all and said, “Peace be with you! Acquire my peace. Be careful not to let anyone mislead you by saying, ‘Look over here!’ or ‘Look over there!’ Because the Son of Humanity exists within you. Follow him! Those who seek him will find him. Go then and preach the gospel about the kingdom. Don’t
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lay down any rules beyond what I’ve given you, nor make a law like the lawgiver, lest you be bound by it.” When he said these things, he left. But they grieved and wept bitterly. They said, “How can we go up to the Gentiles to preach the gospel about the kingdom of the Son of Humanity? If they didn’t spare him, why would they spare us?” Then Mary arose and greeted them all. She said to her brothers and sisters, “Don’t weep and grieve or let your hearts be divided, because his grace will be with you all and will protect you. Rather we should praise his greatness because he’s prepared us and made us Humans.” When Mary said these things, she turned their hearts toward the Good and they started to debate the words of the Savior.
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Peter said to Mary, “Sister, we know the Savior loved you more than all other women. Tell us the words of the Savior that you remember – the things which you know that we don’t, and which we haven’t heard.” In response Mary said, “I’ll tell you what’s hidden from you.” So she started to tell them these words: “I,” she said, “I saw the Lord in a vision and I said to him, ‘Lord, I saw you in a vision today.’ In response he said to me, ‘You’re blessed because you didn’t waver at the sight of me. For where the mind is, there is the treasure.’ I said to him, ‘Lord, now does the one who sees the vision see it in the soul or in the spirit?’ In response the Savior said, ‘They don’t see in the soul or in the spirit, but the mind which exists between the two is what sees the vision.’ …
Pages 11 through 14 are missing.
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“And Desire said, ‘I didn’t see you going down, but now I see you’re going up. So why are you lying, since you belong to me?’ In response the soul said, ‘I saw you, but you didn’t see me or know me. I was to you just a garment, and you didn’t recognize me.’ When it said these things, it left, rejoicing greatly. Again, it came to the third power, which is called ‘Ignorance.’ It interrogated the soul and said, ‘Where are you going? In wickedness you’re bound. Since you’re bound, don’t judge!’ And the soul said, ‘Why do you judge me, since I haven’t judged? I was bound, even though I haven’t bound. They didn’t recognize me, but I’ve recognized that everything will dissolve – both the things of the earth
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and the things of heaven.’ When the soul had overcome the third power, it went up and saw the fourth power, which took seven forms: the first form is Darkness; the second, Desire; the third, Ignorance; the fourth, Zeal for Death; the fifth, the Kingdom of the Flesh; the sixth, the Foolish ‘Wisdom’ of Flesh; the seventh, the ‘Wisdom’ of Anger. These are the seven powers of Wrath. They ask the soul, ‘Where do you come from, you murderer, and where are you going, conqueror of space?’ In response the soul said, ‘What binds me has been killed, what surrounds me has been overcome, my desire is gone, and ignorance has died. In a world I was released
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from a world, and in a type from a type which is above, and from the chain of forgetfulness which exists only for a time. From now on I’ll receive the rest of the time of the season of the age in silence.’” When Mary said these things, she fell silent because the Savior had spoken with her up to this point. In response Andrew said to the brothers and sisters, ‘Say what you will about what she’s said, I myself don’t believe that the Savior said these things, because these teachings seem like different ideas.” In response Peter spoke out with the same concerns. He asked them concerning the Savior: “He didn’t speak with a woman without our knowledge and not publicly with us, did he? Will we turn around and all listen to her? Did he prefer her to us?”
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Then Mary wept and said to Peter, “My brother Peter, what are you thinking? Do you really think that I thought this up by myself in my heart, or that I’m lying about the Savior?” In response Levi said to Peter, “Peter, you’ve always been angry. Now I see you debating with this woman like the adversaries. But if the Savior made her worthy, who are you then to reject her? Surely the Savior knows her very well. That’s why he loved her more than us. Rather we should be ashamed, clothe ourselves with perfect Humanity, acquire it for ourselves as he instructed us, and preach the gospel, not laying down any other rule or other law beyond what the Savior said.” When
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Levi said these things, they started to go out to teach and to preach. The Gospel According to Mary
Text Notes 7:1,2: “Then will matter be destroyed, or not?” The words “matter” and “destroyed” are proposed reconstructions, since the top of page 7 is damaged and several letters are either missing or barely legible. 7:22 – 8:1: “You love what tricks you. Anyone who .…” This is a proposed reconstruction since the bottom of page 7 and the top of page 8 are damaged and several letters are either missing or barely legible. 8:2: “Matter gave birth to.” This is a proposed reconstruction since the manuscript is damaged here and the letters are either missing or barely legible. 8:7-9: “Be content at heart … discontented … find contentment.” Or possibly “Be obedient … disobedient … be obedient.” 8:18; 9:9-10: “Son of Humanity.” Literally, “Son of the Human,” a technical term based on an Aramaic idiom meaning “human.” 9:24: “The Savior.” This is a proposed reconstruction since the bottom of page 9 is damaged and the letters are either missing or barely legible. 9:14; 17:11: “Brothers and sisters”: Literally, “brothers.” 16:21: “A world.” This is a proposed reconstruction since the bottom of page 16 is damaged and the letters are either missing or barely legible. 18:16: “Perfect Humanity.” Literally, “the perfect human.” 19:1: “Levi said these things.” This is a proposed reconstruction since the top of page 19 is damaged and the letters are either missing or barely legible.
